Pro-Palestinian activists defaced former President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland on Saturday, protesting his recent comments and proposals regarding Gaza. The demonstrators left a bold message, “Gaza is not 4 sale,” in large white letters on the course while also spray-painting parts of the resort and digging up sections of the greens.
Activists Leave Bold Message on Turnberry Course
In the early hours of Saturday morning, a group of activists from Palestine Action targeted Trump’s luxury golf resort in Scotland. The phrase “Gaza is not 4 sale” was painted in massive white capital letters, each measuring approximately three meters high. The activists also used red spray paint on the side of the hotel and reportedly destroyed portions of the course’s prestigious greens.
The group later took responsibility for the incident, sharing images and statements online to highlight their opposition to U.S. policies concerning Gaza. In their press release, they cited Trump’s recent AI-generated video promoting a redevelopment vision for Gaza, which they claim underscores his support for Israeli actions in the region.
Trump’s Controversial AI Video Sparks Backlash
Trump’s Gaza-related comments and AI-generated video have fueled international criticism. On Tuesday, he shared an AI-produced promotional video imagining a futuristic, luxury-driven redevelopment of Gaza. The video depicted beachfront skyscrapers, a golden statue of Trump, and AI-generated children holding gold balloons in his likeness. It also featured a “Trump Gaza” resort, with a scene of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drinking together under the sun.
The release of this video was met with outrage, particularly from Palestinian activists and human rights organizations, who argued that it trivializes the suffering in Gaza. Many interpreted it as an endorsement of forced displacement and a commercialized vision for the war-torn territory.
Palestine Action Claims Responsibility
Palestine Action, a direct-action group known for targeting businesses linked to Israeli operations, quickly took credit for the vandalism. The organization released a statement condemning Trump’s policies and his vision for Gaza’s redevelopment.
- The statement accused Trump of promoting “ethnic cleansing” through his redevelopment proposals.
- Activists emphasized that their actions were meant to disrupt business as usual at Trump’s property.
- The group vowed to continue similar actions against businesses and individuals they see as complicit in the situation in Gaza.
This latest incident adds to a growing series of protests against Trump-linked properties and investments, especially in the wake of his return to political prominence.
Legal and Political Ramifications
Scottish authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, though no arrests have been made so far. Trump’s representatives have not yet commented publicly on the vandalism, but security at Turnberry is reportedly being reviewed.
This act of protest comes amid rising global tensions over the U.S. stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Trump’s proposals for Gaza, particularly his AI-generated vision of redevelopment, have further polarized public opinion. Critics argue that such imagery ignores the ongoing humanitarian crisis, while supporters defend it as a pragmatic approach to post-war reconstruction.
Trump’s political opponents have also weighed in, with some calling for greater scrutiny of his statements and policy positions regarding the Middle East. Whether this latest protest will prompt a shift in rhetoric or further entrench divisions remains to be seen.
