Sister of 7 October victim condemns pro-Palestine student protests

Laura Schosloff said there are now times when she feels she has to hide the fact she is Jewish

The sister of a Scottish victim of the Hamas attack on Israel two years ago has condemned pro-Palestine protests, accusing students taking part of celebrating the deaths of 1,200 people.

Bernard Cowan, who grew up in Newton Mearns, was one of the victims of the 7 October assault. He was shot dead outside the home he shared with his family on Kibbutz Sufa.

On the second anniversary of the killings, students across the UK, including at universities in Edinburgh and Glasgow, have held rallies in support of the Palestinians.

Scottish students attending the protests said they did not condone antisemitism but wanted to show their opposition to genocide and the murder of innocent civilians.

At least 67,173 people have been killed in Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The protests went ahead despite the pleas of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who urged students not to take part, warning of "rising antisemitism on our streets".

Sir Keir said it was "un-British to have little respect for others" by staging demonstrations on the anniversary, adding protests had been used by some as a "despicable excuse to attack British Jews".

Bernard Cowan was shot dead outside the home he shared with his family on Kibbutz Sufa during the 7 October attacks

The UK is seeing heightened security to protect Jewish communities after last week's deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue.

Mr Cowan's sister Laura Schosloff told BBC Scotland News she felt the protests were antisemitic.

"I just see a lot of hatred, not just towards Israel but towards the Jewish people," she said. "I just think it's so sad. We should be able live together.

"The protests should never happen. They're celebrating the deaths of 1,200 people that were massacred in Israel.

"It's totally unacceptable. No death should be celebrated. It should never be allowed. Our government is ridiculous allowing this to go ahead."

Ms Schosloff said she normally felt safe in Glasgow but now was "not too sure".

"You just don't know what will happen - what people will do behind your back," she said. "Not physically but maybe the'll say a couple of things or look at you in a certain way.

"I have lots of non-Jewish friends and work in a non-Jewish community. I feel comfortable with them but sometimes I have to hide the fact that I'm actually Jewish.

"I am proud to be British, proud to be Scottish and proud to be Jewish, but at times I have to hide my own identity here in Scotland which is totally ridiculous."

Speaking about her brother, she said: "It's very sad. I've been grieving for the last two years.

"But the Jewish anniversary of Bernard's death is not until the 14th October which would have been his 60th birthday.

"He would have been celebrating it out in Israel. So we will be grieving today but next week as well when he would have been 60."

She said she wanted the hostages to be returned to Israel along with the bodies of those who had been killed to allow their families to grieve.

She added that she just wanted peace in the whole region.

"Everybody should be able to live with their neighbours," she said.

Hundreds of students took part in a Pro-Palestine rally in Edinburgh

In Edinburgh, hundreds of students joined a rally at Edinburgh University's main library building in George Square in an event organised by the Justice for Palestine Society.

The university's principal had appealed for them to be considerate of their actions.

But those who attended told BBC Scotland News that the second anniversary of the 7 October attack was the right time to highlight how long civilians in Gaza had been suffering as a result of the ongoing war.

Student protests

Meanwhile in Glasgow, about 40 people gathered at a demonstration in Rotten Row Gardens near Strathclyde University.

Some waved Palestine flags and carried placards that read "stop arming Israel".

One student spoke on a loud speaker and said: "Some say today is not the right day for this but every day that there is an occupation and bombs fall on Gaza, that is the wrong day.

"There is no wrong time to stand for justice. We mourn all loss of life."

There were short chants of "Free, free Palestine" and "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free".

One student protestor, Amina, told the BBC: "I think it's insensitive to stop protesting against bloodshed purely because our prime minister supports it and thinks it might not be the best day.

"Of course, the losses on October 7th were horrific. In no way do we condone that.

"In no way do we condone antisemitism or Zionism. We're just here to acknowledge the losses and really put an end to it."

She added: "Antisemitism is a horrific thing. We're here to oppose all violence and genocide."

Students gathered despite a plea from Sir Keir Starmer to stay away

Another student, Rosa, said: "Ultimately, this day marks two years of intensified genocide in Palestine, as well as marking the tragedy of October 7th by Hamas, and there shouldn't be a hierarchy of suffering in that regard.

"It is understandable that today is a day of grieving, and a day of reflection on the significance of this day. However, ultimately, it is still the historical day that marks two years of this intense genocide.

"I haven't seen any antisemitism at any protest here. I haven't ever heard religion being brought up."

The protest had been advertised online and Strathclyde University asked the organisers to delay the event.

A university spokeswoman added: "We believe that holding an event of this nature on this date is insensitive and we have asked that they delay to show their civic responsibility and common decency."

A Scottish government spokesperson said: "The right to peaceful public assembly and freedom of expression are important rights that the Scottish government is committed to upholding.

"That right, however, should never be used to justify or incite hateful, violent, intimidating or criminal behaviour or express support for those who do so.

"Police Scotland has powers under the Public Order Act 1986 to maintain public safety and order."