It comes as Humza Yousaf has said plans for a pro-Palestinian march in London on Armistice Day should go ahead as he expressed his fury at the Home Secretary’s response to the protests.
The First Minister said he was “beyond angry” at Suella Braverman for referring to the demonstrations as “hate marches” and accused her of using the events to exacerbate a “culture war”.
Although he acknowledged there would be “one or two idiots” on the pro-Palestine march, he said this should not stop hundreds of thousands of people taking part.
More than 70,000 expected for march on Saturday
More than 70,000 demonstrators are expected on Saturday for the march, which will start at Hyde Park before heading to the US Embassy. Its planned route does not pass the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall.
But Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, has been warned by his rank-and-file officers that the protesters may clash with veterans commemorating Remembrance Day weekend.
Ms Braverman took to social media to state that it was “entirely unacceptable to desecrate Armistice Day with a hate march through London.”
Speaking in Dundee on Monday, Mr Yousaf said: “I understand (the march) is taking place after the minute silence that we will all undoubtedly observe, I hear it’s not going anywhere near Whitehall or, indeed, the Cenotaph.
“And, of course, if Armistice was about anything, my goodness, it’s about peace.”
He added: “I am beyond angry at the Home Secretary and the UK Government who seem to want to drive every issue into a culture war. Describing those marches as hate marches is disgraceful, unacceptable.
“Yes, in every single march, I’m afraid you’ll get one or two idiots who will do and say something that we all universally condemn, but to describe those hundreds of thousands in London, in cities across the UK, including here in Scotland, as full of hate or hate marches is completely unacceptable.”
Elderly poppy seller forced out of Edinburgh Waverley station
It comes after an elderly poppy seller was forced to leave Edinburgh Waverley station over the weekend as pro-Palestine protesters staged a sit-in at the station.
According to the Scottish Poppy Appeal, the seller left with the help of colleagues after being surrounded by people displaying “Freedom for Palestine” posters.
Last weekend the First Minister and his family celebrated the return of his mother-in-law and father-in-law after almost a month trapped in Gaza.
Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla were visiting family in the region when the Oct 7 terror attack by Hamas and the Israeli response prevented them leaving.
92 British nationals permitted to pass through Rafah border
The couple, from Dundee, were among 92 British nationals permitted to pass through the Rafah border crossing into Egypt on Friday morning.
But some of their extended family, including Mr Yousaf’s wife Nadia’s elderly grandmother, brother and his young children, remain in Gaza.
The First Minister said: “It’s bittersweet. I spoke to my father-in-law, in particular, it was the first time I ever saw him cry.
“He was really broken by the fact that he had to say goodbye to his mother, to his son, to their grandchildren, as well – the youngest of which is only three months old.”
He added: “As a family, of course, we’re happy and relieved to see my in-laws back, but it is, as I say, bittersweet because we are still in significant distress given the family that are still there but also the whole world is in distress at the scenes we are seeing unfold in Gaza.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but the Home Secretary will always back the police to take action to prevent serious disruption and take a zero tolerance approach towards criminality.”
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William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
