**Pro-Palestinian Protesters Disrupt FM’s Fringe Event**
A conversation between First Minister John Swinney and comedian Susan Morrison at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was interrupted by protesters from the Palestinian side. The event, which aimed to discuss life, art, politics, and Scotland’s Future, turned tense as police were called in response to growing tensions between the protesters and other members of the audience.
The protesters expressed their concerns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calling on the First Minister to recognize Palestine as a country and to condemn what they saw as genocide. They also demanded an end to state funding for arms companies, citing reports of “terrible crimes” committed by Israel against Palestinian civilians.
First Minister Swinney acknowledged that he had seen reports of similar incidents, but stopped short of calling the situation a genocide. Instead, he emphasized his commitment to defending freedom of expression and encouraging robust debate and inquiry in Scotland.
**Tensions Rise as Protesters Confront First Minister**
The confrontation occurred just two days after First Minister Swinney delivered a speech opening the Edinburgh Festivals, where he highlighted the importance of art and cultural expressions in sparking difficult conversations. In that speech, he emphasized his commitment to defending freedom of expression and encouraging creative work that pushes boundaries.
However, on this occasion, the protesters’ demands took center stage, as they confronted First Minister Swinney about his government’s funding policies for companies involved in defense industries. The First Minister responded by stating that Scottish Enterprise, the commercial arm of the Scottish government, conducts thorough due diligence checks to ensure public funds are not used to support projects with questionable human rights records.
**Background and Context**
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a source of tension and debate for many years, with both sides accusing each other of atrocities. Last week, First Minister Swinney met with Donald Trump during the US president’s visit to Scotland, discussing the crisis in Gaza.
This incident serves as a reminder that, even in the midst of cultural celebrations like the Edinburgh Festivals, difficult conversations and protests can erupt. As First Minister Swinney himself noted, art and culture have the power to spark challenging discussions and push boundaries – but also come with their own set of responsibilities.
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