WEST BANK: SCOTLAND INDEPENDENCE/BAGPIPERS Palestinian bagpipers blow in support of Scotland

Record ID: 565576

  • Title: WEST BANK: SCOTLAND INDEPENDENCE/BAGPIPERS Palestinian bagpipers blow in support of Scotland
  • Date: 18th September 2014
  • Summary: PHOTOGRAPH OF PREVIOUS BAND MEMBERS ON THE WALL
  • Embargoed: 3rd October 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: West bank
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5VNW01EPO2J7PWPK4RRGAEBYO
  • Story Text: Far from the polling stations of Scotland, a band of Palestinian bagpipers added an unmistakable note of support on Thursday (September 18) for the cause of independence.
    The Greek Orthodox scout troop in the West Bank town of Beit Jala gathered for marching band practice as Scotland voted on whether to stay within the United Kingdom or end the 307-year-old union with England.
    So it was only fitting that the rehearsal began with the young drummers and bagpipers performing a rousing rendition of the Palestinian national anthem, in honour of the historic vote.
    "We, as a nation living under occupation, support any nation that is controlled and is being used by other nation, that has the right to live independent, especially the Scottish people who we know live under the control of the British regime," said the band's trainer, Tarek Jahshan.
    "As Palestinians we have experience with the British regime and how we suffered during that time."
    The British introduced both the concept of the scouts, and the instruments the band play, to the residents of Beit Jala. Historic photographs of previous bands adorn the walls of the hall where the current members now practice.
    But it is with the Scottish, rather than the British, that the sympathies of the band now lie.
    "It is a right for every nation to choose its destiny itself. It is a right for the Scottish people as well to choose their destiny as they want," said Khalid Kasis, the band's leader.
    Whatever the outcome of the vote, there is a part of the West Bank that will continue to sound a distinctly Scottish note of pride and defiance.
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