Lord Provost of Aberdeen: WE DEMAND AN APOLOGY
For the past ten years, Aberdeen City Council (ACC) has flown the Palestinian flag on the 29th of November to commemorate the UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This has been a simple but important act, greatly appreciated by members of the Palestinian diaspora resident in Aberdeen and all those who care about Palestinian rights.
The day of observance came into being in 1977, when the UN General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29th November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, and it has been commemorated annually since 1978. The specific date (29th Nov) was chosen as the day in 1947 that the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 181(II) on partitioning Palestine, leading to the 1948 displacement of Palestinians from their land, known as the Nakba (“catastrophe” in Arabic) and the creation of the state of Israel.
The UN views international days as “occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems”, and the UN day for the people of Palestine is used to raise awareness of the plight of the Palestinian people and to promote their right to self-determination, independence and sovereignty – rights that have been denied them since they were evicted from their lands 75 years ago.
This year the observance held even more significance, marking the 75th anniversary of the Nakba. The UN commemorated this by launching an exhibition on the 29th called Palestine: A Land with a People, commenting that it “serves as a reminder that close to 6 million Palestinians remain refugees to this day, scattered throughout the region. Hundreds of thousands of these refugees have experienced an additional forced displacement while thousands were killed, during the 2023 Gaza war, amid a situation described by the UN Secretary-General as a “humanitarian catastrophe”.”
No-one expected that on the day itself we would be witnessing a catastrophic humanitarian disaster in Gaza such has never been seen, a result of 9 weeks of merciless, inhumane bombing of civilians by Israeli forces. Thousands have been slaughtered in the relentless attack with over 17000 dead so far - including over 7000 children - and thousands more lie buried under rubble in the ruins of their homes. The UN humanitarian office, OCHA, states that around 1.9 million people (85 per cent of the population) have now had to leave their homes and are attempting to find safety in temporary shelters, schools, and hospitals, but top UN officials warn “nowhere is safe in Gaza and there is nowhere left to go.”.
In his message on the 29th November, UN general Secretary António Guterres commented “This International Day of Solidarity comes during one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Palestinian people. I am horrified by the death and destruction that have engulfed the region, which is overwhelmed with pain, anguish and heartache.” He added, “Above all, this is a day for reaffirming international solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to live in peace and dignity.”
Considering this tragedy unfolding before the eyes of the world - scenes the UN emergency relief coordinator has called “apocalyptic” - it is therefore almost unimaginable that this year of all years, the Lord Provost of Aberdeen David Cameron would take the decision to break with ACC practice and deliberately not fly the Palestinian flag. Despite the political statement this act was making, the only justification given publicly for this perverse act was via a brief Facebook post on 27th November, claiming a need for ‘neutral colours’. It is notable that the comments option on this post were disabled in an attempt to prevent the citizens of Aberdeen sharing their views on this shameful act.
Not surprisingly, public reaction to this decision was swift, and negative. Members of the Palestinian diaspora immediately wrote to the Lord Provost directly, urging him to reverse his decision and fly the Palestinian flag. Receiving no response - or even an acknowledgement - they wrote a second time, but shamefully to date they have still heard nothing. This demonstrates a staggering lack of compassion for our local Palestinian community at a time of great trauma. Many Palestinians in Aberdeen are from Gaza or have family there, and are dealing with multiple bereavements.
The Lord Provost was also contacted ahead of the 29th by a number of local community and civil groups and organisations, including Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Aberdeen Muslim and Islamic Centre, CND North East Scotland, Aberdeen Trades Union Council and Aberdeen Social Centre. Despite emailing several times to request an urgent meeting ahead of the 29th to discuss the decision, these groups have also received no response.
A petition set up on Change.org calling on the Lord Provost to fly the flag quickly amassed over two thousand signatures in a few days and the comments being left emphasised the shock and public opposition to the position taken by the Lord Provost.
On the 29th itself, people gathered outside Marischal College with Palestinian flags to show their respect for the significance of the day, but when they attempted to deliver a letter to the Lord Provost the doors to the building were locked to prevent this.
This is episode is a stain on Aberdeen’s admirable history of anti-racism and support for human rights. Over the past year, the Lord Provost has shown solidarity with many countries - Lithuania, Tibet, Bangladesh, Romania - and most notably Ukraine, being photographed outside Marischal College holding the Ukrainian flag to mark 12 months since the Russian invasion. In June, he celebrated the Refugee Festival Scotland, saying “I hope the refugees who are now living among us feel supported and welcomed”. Mere months later he has rudely snubbed attempts by the Palestinian community of Aberdeen to have their rights supported and their voice heard. It’s difficult to see how such treatment can be seen as welcoming.
The decision by the Lord Provost to not fly the flag has been a divisive one, and one that reflects badly on Aberdeen City Council. Compounded by the shocking lack of respect shown by the Lord Provost to the many citizens who contacted him without receiving even the minimum courtesy of an acknowledgement, this suggests an arrogance that sees no need for accountability. It also demonstrates a contempt for local democracy, and we demand better from our elected representatives. It is especially abhorrent to have Palestinian residents of Aberdeen treated so shabbily. They deserve an apology.
From The Council’s own website, “The Lord Provost also acts as the figurehead of the city and is often referred to as “Aberdeen’s First Citizen”. This role is wide-ranging, involving all sectors of the local community in addition to regional, national, and strong international elements. As Civic Head, the Lord Provost’s role is to engage with the community through active involvement in all areas of city life, encouraging good citizenship, promoting the city at home and abroad, and giving recognition to the achievements of citizens and local organisations.” His callous disregard for Aberdeen’s Palestinian residents over the last few weeks brings shame on him and the office he holds.
We are calling on Aberdeen City Council to act now to make amends for the disrespect shown to the Palestinian community of Aberdeen by the Lord Provost. We are demanding that Aberdeen City Council;
1. Proffer an apology to the Palestinian community of Aberdeen for their disrespectful treatment by the Lord Provost
2. Make a statement of support and solidarity with the people of Palestine and light up Marischal College in Palestinian colours in recognition of the humanitarian catastrophe happening in Gaza
3. Call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
4. Confirm flag will be flown 29th November 2024.
5. Plant a symbolic olive tree at Duthie Park
6. Hold a civic reception with Palestinian community and those actively supporting the community via cultural activities and fundraising.
ADD YOUR VOICE: Use this link to send a letter to;
· Cllr David Cameron (Lord Provost of Aberdeen)
· Cllr Steve Delaney (Depute Provost of Aberdeen)
· Cllr Ian Yuill (Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council)
· Cllr Christian Allard (Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council)
· Tauqeer Malik (Labour leader at Aberdeen City Council)
· Ryan Houghton (Conservative leader at Aberdeen City Council)
JOIN THE PROTEST outside the Council meeting being held on Wednesday 13th December. Meet at the Town House (Broad Street) at 10am and bring your flags!