By Michael McEwan - Bunkered
Pro-Palestine activists have struck at the Trump Turnberry
resort in Ayrshire, causing significant damage to the property as well
as several holes on its golf courses.
A group called Palestine Action
has claimed responsibility for an attack overnight at the Open
Championship host venue, which has seen its clubhouse smothered in red
paint, greens dug up, and “GAZA IS NOT FOR SALE” daubed in three-metre
high white lettering on the grass.
The property is, of course, owned by current US president Donald Trump,
In a statement, the group said the action was “a direct response to
the US administration’s stated intent to ethnically cleanse Gaza.”
A spokesperson from Palestine Action added: “Palestine Action rejects
Donald Trump’s treatment of Gaza as though it were his property to
dispose of as he likes.
“To make that clear, we have shown him that his own property is not
safe from acts of resistance. We will continue to take action against
US-Israeli colonialism in the Palestinian homeland.”
A spokesperson for Trump Turnberry told the BBC: “This was a childish, criminal act but the incredible team at Trump Turnberry will ensure it does not impact business.
“Turnberry is a national treasure and will continue to be the number one beacon of luxury and excellence in the world of golf.”
The following pictures show the extent of the damage caused…
Palestine Action describes itself as a “direct-action network of
groups and individuals operating to end complicity in occupation,
apartheid, and genocide in Palestine”.
The principle target of its campaign, it says, is Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons company.
Donald Trump purchased Turnberry in 2014 and has since invested
considerably in upgrading the resort. This has included a significant
remodelling of several holes on the internationally-acclaimed Ailsa
Course.
The latest changes to the layout – specifically, newly-designed seventh and eighth holes – are due to be unveiled next month.
Despite all this, the resort’s future as a host venue of the Open
remains in limbo. It has staged the world’s oldest professional
championship four times but not since 2009, when Stewart Cink defeated
Tom Watson in a playoff.
Speaking to The Telegraph
last week, Mark Darbon, the new chief executive of the R&A, said:
“The position at the moment, in respect of Turnberry, is that we will
not be taking events there until we’re comfortable that the whole
dialogue will be about golf.
“That is a situation we’re still not comfortable with, but that could evolve in the coming years.”
