Glasgow Friends of Israel set up what is claimed to be the first pro-Israel stall in the city centre on Saturday.

The stand is intended to counteract the message of pro-Palestinian activists who have been manning a weekly stall. The Israel Friends say they also plan to make theirs weekly.

Fifteen supporters from different denominations distributed leaflets and enaged in discussions with passers-by.

Founding member Sammy Stein said that despite opposition from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, it had been "a very successful day. We had a great, really sympathetic response. There were a lot of people who were happy to see us. Intimidation is not going to stop us going out. This is a free country, we have free speech."

This Saturday, the group will welcome Nadeem Hussain from Glasgow's Pakistani community to the stall "to promote a message of peace".

Mr Stein added that the future looked bright for GFOI, the third of seven pro-Israel groups set up by Christian activist Nigel Goodrich over the past year, with two more set to start.