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The Herald Scotland

Glasgow Friends of Israel hits back over anti-racist ban

However, on July 17, SUTR published a statement saying the group was no longer welcome at marches due to their support for Israel and 'the far-right'. GFI chairman Sammy Stein told The Herald he was surprised by the announcement as a leading member of SUTR had previously defended the group's right to attend marches. He said: 'They're afraid about what other groups might say. They've always tried to keep behind the stewards, but they did tolerate us, albeit in a non-friendly manner. 'I think they're threatened by a number of groups who don't want us to be there.' Glasgow Friends of Israel are no longer welcome at SUTR events, in a about face from five years ago. (Image: NQ) Stein pointed The Herald to a recording of a 'Islamaphobia, Anti-Semitism, and the Rise of the Far-Right' discussion hosted by SUTRS in 2020, in which the group's convenor, Talat Ahmed, said: 'Stand Up to Racism is not a political football for anyone with agendas to mess around with, under any circumstances whatsoever… Stand Up to Racism never has done, and never will do, have a position on the Middle East. 'What do you think my job should be as the convenor of Stand Up to Racism? Should I stand there policing who I like the look of? 'Should I let some in and tell the others they are not welcome? Get real. That is not what Stand Up to Racism is about. We welcome everyone, irrespective of what their positions are on a whole myriad of other politics and positions. '[That applies] if you are Jewish or Palestinian, irrespective of any politics you may hold.' Left-wing groups such as Scotland Against Criminalising Communities and Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign have long criticised SUTR for this stance. Reform councillor Thomas Kerr (L)'s support for the group has caused controversy. (Image: Getty Images)Stein said: 'At this meeting, Talat Ahmed made a very clear and courageous statement about welcoming everyone regardless of their politics. She criticised those who were trying to keep anyone out of the march. 'I thought she was very brave and sincere about her words and hence my huge disappointment about her decision to no longer stand up for these principles.' However, five years later, as war rages in Gaza, SUTR's neutral position on the Middle East appears to have been firmly abandoned. SUTR Scotland secretary Héctor Sierra told The Herald: "It is telling that Glasgow Friends of Israel are accusing us of hypocrisy instead of addressing the reasons why we have said they are not welcome at our events. These reasons are: their support for the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and their friendly relationships with far-right organisations here in Scotland. 'Glasgow Friends of Israel continues to justify the slaughter in Gaza, with much of its social media content this week being devoted to casting doubt over the horrific scale of mass starvation in the Strip.' One post on the GFI Facebook page refers to 'the lies of starvation in Gaza,' while another accused media organisations of creating 'fake news and propaganda at the expense of a sick child.' Sierra continued, calling the group a 'toxic organisation on the wrong side of history.' He said: 'On the second point, Glasgow Friends of [[Israel]] responded to our statement rejecting them by reaffirming their sympathy for Reform UK, a party focused on demonising refugees and migrants. Nick Tenconi led a 'mass deportations' march through Glasgow last week. (Image:) 'As if that were not enough, last weekend when SUTR organised an anti-racist protest to oppose fascist Nick Tenconi's 'mass deportation' march through Glasgow, they described SUTR, not Tenconi, as 'the problem'. SUTR is engaged in building a mass movement to resist the racist, Islamophobic and antisemitic far-right.' A post on the GFI Facebook from last Saturday states: 'Today on Buchanan Street, a group called Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) had rallied a mob with a call to arms to oppose a march by Nick Tenconi, the leader of UKIP. 'SUTR has branded him a racist and fascist and called on the masses to oppose what was probably to be a perfectly peaceful march. 'SUTR are an extremely unpleasant bunch of individuals, supported by black clad, mask wearing militant Antifa thugs and the usual Israel haters and they were there in force today for one reason and one reason only and that was to cause trouble.' Read more: 'Our community is being attacked': Queer Glaswegians to call out Israel during Pride Large group of anti-fascist protestors oppose 'mass deportation' rally Scottish anti-racist campaigners bar pro-Israel groups from events Speaking to The Herald, Stein denied that GFI had any connection to right-wing groups, after leading Reform councillor Thomas Kerr was photographed visiting their stall on Buchanan Street. 'We are not racist and neither is Zionism. A Zionist is someone who believes a Jewish person should have a home in Israel. 'Many members of my family were killed in the Holocaust,' Stein added. 'I march to remember them. We will not stop taking part, as we believe we must stand up to racist and especially anti-Semitism. 'We will make every effort to participate in the marches, despite the obstructions and pushing.'