News
‘Intruders’ hoist Palestinian flag above primary school after anti-Israel protest
The flag was removed on Saturday afternoon
September 7, 2020 15:07
The flag was removed on Saturday afternoon
September 7, 2020 15:07A Palestinian flag was flown from the roof of a primary school in Scotland this weekend after it was placed there by “intruders”.
Nicola Muir, 46, was collecting her son from music lessons on Saturday morning when she spotted the flag hoisted above Ayr Grammar Primary School.
Ms Muir, who lives in a nearby village, said she was “dismayed and shocked” by the sight, which she described as “such an odd thing to see in a quiet seaside town on the west coast of Scotland!”
South Ayrshire Council said in a statement neither the local authority nor the school were responsible for putting up the flag, which was removed on Saturday afternoon.
A Council spokesperson said: "The flag has been removed. Access to the roof was not gained through the school, so we are reviewing external access, as a result of this incident.”
The school said the flag was placed “by intruders during the weekend”.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Around 1pm on Saturday, 5 September, 2020, police were made aware that a flag had been erected on the roof of a school in Ayr. No criminality has been established and, following liaison with the local authority, no further police action is required."
It came after anti-Israel protesters staged a protest outside the Nations’ League fixture between Scotland and Israel at Hampden Park stadium on Friday.
Palestinian flags and signs marked “Don't play Ball with Israeli Apartheid” were displayed during the protest, which was staged by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, with other groups.
Prior to the protest, the words "Palestinian blood!" were daubed over a nearby wall and red paint poured over the entrance to the stadium, according to local media reports.
It was unclear if the graffiti was related to the protest.