Scotland marks VE Day amid warnings of rising global fascism
Representatives from the Royal Air Forces Association and Soldiers', Sailors' & Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA) and the Royal British Legion participated in the service, with Deputy FM Kate Forbes and Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill amongst the elected officials in attendance.
A two-minute silence was observed at Scottish Government buildings at midday, with Edinburgh Castle, Victoria Quay and St Andrew's House lit in red as part of a UK-wide tribute
Read more: British Israelis urge Government to act on Gaza starvation
Speaking at FMQs on Thursday afternoon, Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater thanked Second World War veterans for their bravery during the conflict whilst highlighting the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Slater said: 'On this 80th anniversary marking the end of a dark chapter in history, we remember the sacrifices made by all who stood against the tyranny of fascism.'
She added that 'peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of harmony' between nations, drawing attention to the parallels between the Second World War and the Israeli genocide on Palestine.
Slater said: 'Yet currently we are witnessing the horrors of genocide continuing in Gaza, and fascism reappears, threatening democracy and human rights as the far right rises across the world.'
Edinburgh Castle is among the historic landmarks being lit in red to mark VE Day (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)Read more: In Pictures: Nation gives thanks to veterans on the 80th anniversary of VE Day
FM John Swinney also paid tribute to his late uncle, Corporal Tom Hunter, during FMQs, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after sacrificing himself to save his troops in Italy shortly before the end of the war.
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