Latest news with #GerryCoutts
The National
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Pro-Israel groups banned from Stand Up To Racism events in Scotland
Last year, the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) and the Scottish Palestinian Society (SPS) both urged SUTR to ban Glasgow Friends of Israel (GFI) from marches as the presence of the organisation had led to a growing number of pro-Palestine organisations dropping out. Now SUTR's steering committee has confirmed members of GFI and the Confederation of Friends of Israel in Scotland (COFIS) are "not welcome" at future events due to their support for Israel and organisations such as Reform UK. A statement posted on Facebook from SUTR said: "We wish to publicly clarify beyond any doubt that the Glasgow Friends of Israel and COFIS groups are NOT WELCOME at SUTR Scotland events. READ MORE: Tory MP brands SNP 'fifth columnists' over weapons funding opposition 'They have never been invited to any SUTR event, spoken as part of any SUTR platform, or been part of discussions with SUTR Scotland. 'SUTR aims to unite people of all faiths, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and none, against racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and the far-right, and they are all welcome at our events and initiatives.' Wael Shawish of SPS – a group for Palestinians residing in Scotland – told The National last year it was 'painful' for him and the organisation not to be able to join the march in 2024 because of the Israeli flag being flown during it. He said: 'We can't even dream of joining such a march with the Israeli flag being waved over our heads. We are oppressed by that flag." Gerry Coutts, of the SPSC, also explained how his group in recent years had handed out leaflets at the start of the march explaining why they are not participating. He said last year: 'As long as Israel remains an apartheid state, SPSC is calling for GFI to be banned from future SUTR marches as their presence is incompatible with the march's intention of celebrating International Day For the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.' READ MORE: 'Disturbed': MP Rosie Duffield hits out after armed police threaten Gaza protester SUTR said it now rejected the presence of GFI and COFIS due to support for the far-right "internationally and here in Scotland" and joining "the efforts by politicians to push the Islamophobic lie that millions protesting in solidarity with Palestine are 'hate marchers'". It added the groups were not welcome due to "justifying and applauding" the actions by the state of Israel. The SUTR committee noted: 'The focus of SUTR Scotland's campaigning activities involves building broad-based mass anti-racist action in solidarity with refugees and migrants, supporting justice campaigns against police and institutional racism, and facilitating a united response to the Islamophobic and antisemitic far-right, fascist groups, and particularly now the threat of Reform UK.' 'However, we reject the presence of GFI and COFIS, organisations whose activity involves justifying and applauding the actions by the state of Israel, which is engaged in carrying out genocide, apartheid and ethnic cleansing.' GFI, which describes itself as 'a grassroots organisation that supports the right of Israel to democratic self-determination,' runs an information stall in Buchanan Street in Glasgow every Saturday. The SUTR committee went on to criticise GFI's relationship with Reform UK councillor Thomas Kerr, who has been photographed visiting the stall and has expressed support for the group on social media. The statement noted: 'No organisation that supports [Reform UK], which is trying to convince millions of voters that refugees, migrants and Muslims are to blame for society's problems, and in the process opening the door to dangerous fascist forces, is welcome at SUTR Scotland events.' In 2024, a group called Scotland Against Criminalising Communities (SACC) refused to attend a SUTR march due to concerns over GFI and COFIS's attendance.
The National
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Government demands release of Madleen aid ship crew
The Madleen was boarded and seized by Israeli forces in international waters early on Monday morning, after crews sounded an alarm after seeing multiple vessels approach and reporting drones spraying a white "irritant" substance on board. The boat arrived in Ashdod port in Israel late on Monday evening, with Israel's foreign ministry attempting to depict the mission as a publicity stunt, branding the Madleen a "celebrity yacht". READ MORE: 20 more Palestinians killed and hundreds injured by Israel near aid points On Tuesday, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) – the humanitarian organisation behind the Madleen – reiterated that four of the 12 activists have been deported, while eight remain in Israeli detention. The crew members were all asked to sign documents consenting to deportation, which the coalition said was under the guise that they had entered Israel illegally. One of those still in detention is Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament. Following the abduction and deportation, fresh calls were made for both Westminster and Holyrood to push Israel to lift the aid blockade. Gerry Coutts of Scotland for Palestine said: 'The aid boat was seized by Israel while it sailed in international waters under the British flag and its unarmed crew have been detained. Yet, we have heard no condemnation of this from our governments in the UK. 'The abduction of the crew, the seizing of the boat, the occupation of Palestine, the mass starvation of a people and the siege and blockade are all illegal - and happening in plain sight. 'Both our governments have a legal and moral duty to push their ally, Israel, to allow in life-saving aid to starving Palestinians. They must also push for an end to the cruel siege and naval blockade and more recently a complete blockade imposed on Palestinians.'
The Herald Scotland
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
UK and Scottish Governments urged to push for end to Gaza blockade
This week a ship, the Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was intercepted in international waters as it attempted to deliver aid to the besieged enclave, with activists including Greta Thunberg detained and deported. That was condemned by human rights groups, including Amnesty International which said: "By forcibly intercepting and blocking the Madleen which was carrying humanitarian aid and a crew of solidarity activists, Israel has once again flouted its legal obligations towards civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip and demonstrated its chilling contempt for legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice. Read More: 'The operation carried out in the middle of the night and in international waters violates international law and put the safety of those on the boat at risk. "The crew were unarmed activists and human rights defenders on a humanitarian mission, they must be released immediately and unconditionally. They must also be protected from torture and other ill-treatment pending their release." The blockade itself is considered illegal by many human rights groups and others, who argue it amounts to collective punishment. In 2012, 50 international aid agencies, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Oxfam, released a statement calling on Israel to lift its siege and blockade; while in 2016 the UN Special Rapporteur described the blockade as "contrary to international law". Following the interception of the Madleen, fresh calls have been made for both Westminster and Holyrood to push Israel to lift the blockade. Gerry Coutts of Scotland for Palestine said: 'The aid boat was seized by Israel while it sailed in international waters under the British flag and its unarmed crew have been detained. Yet, we have heard no condemnation of this from our governments in the UK. 'The abduction of the crew, the seizing of the boat, the occupation of Palestine, the mass starvation of a people and the siege and blockade are all illegal - and happening in plain sight. 'Both our governments have a legal and moral duty to push their ally, Israel, to allow in life-saving aid to starving Palestinians. They must also push for an end to the cruel siege and naval blockade and more recently a complete blockade imposed on Palestinians.' A spokesperson for Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card said: 'For months we have marched on the streets and have written to our politicians to put their words into action to help end the plight of Palestinians. "We are once again calling on our governments in Westminster and Holyrood to do the right thing and push for an end to Israel's unlawful siege and blockade of Gaza and ensure the safety of the brave people trying to deliver aid.' Wael Shawish of the Scottish Palestinian Society said: 'The UK has a historic and current responsibility to Palestine. "At the height of one of the worst humanitarian crises ever, it must find the moral courage to stand up to Israel and use its leverage to help end the Israeli siege and blockade, protect those delivering humanitarian aid and bring lasting peace by pushing for an end to Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine.' The Scottish Government and the UK Government have been contacted for comment.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
We woke up to find a Banksy on our house - we thought it would make us millionaires but it's cost us £400,000 and we wish he had never bothered
A couple have complained that waking up to a Banksy artwork on the side of their property has cost them £400,000. Gert and Gerry Coutts, who live in Enfield, north London, were renting the Suffolk property out when tenants called them in August 2021 to say scaffolding had suddenly appeared. Mr Coutts and his wife thought it was the council fixing a chimney, only for the rigging to disappear the next day - with the piece of artwork, later verified to be a Banksy, in its place. The artwork was comprised of a 14-foot seagull mural on the wall of the Lowestoft house, with a skip placed next to the house filled with insulation to look like a tray of chips. It attracted global attention and soon the property was being visited by hundreds of tourists a day. But while the owners initially thought the development might make them rich, they have now accused 'a**ehole' Banksy of acting without 'giving a damn about the consequences'. Mr Coutts told the Sun: 'I'm completely depressed and sick about it. 'I've done everything I can, tried to do the right things, and me and my wife have just had the p**s taken out of us. 'I'm so angry about what has gone on because of that a**ehole Banksy. It's as simple as that.' Rod, who co-owns the house with the Coutts, added: 'To us he's an uncaring, unthinking person who has had a massive detrimental impact.' Within a short space of time, their renters were faced with queues built up around the house and one man even stole the property's scaffolding from a skip, and attempted to sell it on Facebook for £1,600. The couple said what they first thought of as a 'gift' turned into a nightmare. The 22-tonne artwork was finally removed overnight in April after the couple hired a building firm and council officials approved closing the road. Initially, it was estimated the artwork could be worth some £3 million, but the couple told how they were informed the council wished to put a preservation on the artwork, which would make the owners liable for an annual £40,000 upkeep. Ms Coutts said: 'So, there you go Banksy. Does he realise what the consequences are of his art work - or does he care?' Instead, they eventually arranged for the entire wall to be removed at a cost of some £200,000 - but still pay £3,000 per month to keep it in storage while looking for a buyer. The decision to take down the artwork proved highly controversial in the town, with passersby accusing the owners of 'stealing' the artwork from the public. Speaking to the Mail previously, retired roofing contractor Mr Coutts said: 'At first it was obviously incredible but as things have gone on it has become extremely stressful. I'm not sure Banksy realises the unintended consequences on homeowners. If we could turn back the clock, we would. 'We had the council get in touch to tell us that they could put a preservation order on the piece and we would be responsible for maintaining it at a cost of £40,000 a year. 'I have had to hire a night watchman to look after it after someone stole part of it and tried to sell it on Facebook. Another time vandals were caught with a dozen pots of white paint and were apparently going to paint over it.'
