Pro-Palestinian activists target Trump Turnberry over Gaza plans

In Scotland, President Donald Trump's Turnberry golf resort was vandalized early on Saturday, March 8, 2025, by the activist group Palestine Action. This act was a direct response to Trump's controversial proposal regarding Gaza, where he suggested clearing the Palestinian population to develop the region as a resort. The activists spray-painted 'Gaza is not for sale' on the golf course and defaced the clubhouse with red paint. They claimed their actions were necessary to demonstrate against Trump's treatment of Gaza as disposable property, highlighting their commitment to opposing U.S.-Israeli colonialism. At around 4:40 a.m., Police Scotland received reports about the vandalism, which reportedly caused significant damage to the golf course, including the greens. Palestine Action stated that their actions were part of a larger movement to protest against perceived injustices and highlight the ongoing issue of Israeli occupation. The publicity resulting from the vandalism, accompanied by statements from Palestine Action, emphasizes the group's desire to draw attention to the plight of Palestinians and criticize the U.S.-Israeli policies. The vandalism at Turnberry sparked various reactions, including condemnation from Trump Turnberry's representatives, who labeled the act as childish and criminal. The resort's management emphasized that the damage would not impact their operations, asserting their commitment to maintaining the status of Turnberry as a premier golfing destination. The incident reflects broader tensions regarding the Palestinian situation and the controversial proposals from the U.S. administration, which has faced significant backlash from numerous groups and individuals, including many advocating for Palestinian rights. Trump's plans to potentially displace the Palestinian people have been met with severe criticism, labeled as ethnic cleansing by various human rights organizations. This latest incident serves to illustrate the high levels of dissatisfaction and anger directed towards American foreign policy in the Middle East, as activists feel compelled to take direct action to voice their opposition. The group Palestine Action has positioned itself at the forefront of this activism in the UK, calling attention to what they see as unacceptable treatment of Palestinians and aims to continue bringing awareness to these ongoing issues.