- Almost 1.6 million people have already been displaced
The First Minister and Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) have
jointly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel
during a bi-annual meeting today (Wednesday).
The meeting was an opportunity for the Scottish Government and
STUC to re-iterate solidarity with the Jewish and Muslim
communities in Scotland, and commit to working in collaboration
to ensure that antisemitism, Islamophobia, or any form of hatred
or prejudice has no place in Scotland.
First Minister said:
“We unequivocally condemn the terrorist atrocities committed by
Hamas almost six weeks ago, and call for all hostages to be
immediately, unconditionally, and safely released.
“What we are witnessing in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster. More
than 11,000 men, woman, and children have lost their lives, and
almost 1.6 million have been displaced. The people of Gaza are in
desperate need of water, shelter, food, and safety.
“We must stand together and united, join with
international organisations and
aid agencies like the United Nations and World
Health Organisation, and continue to lend Scotland’s voice to the
growing international calls for an urgent ceasefire.
“The way forward is clear, and I hope that others across Scotland
will add their voices to our calls – which build on Scotland’s
proud history of supporting and promoting peace across the
world.
“Working in solidarity with trade unions and others to combat
antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hatred in Scotland
is crucial, and I am absolutely committed to sending a clear
message that hatred or prejudice directed at any community has no
place in our modern Scotland.”
Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer:
“The STUC is unequivocal: there must be an immediate
ceasefire.
"We reiterate our utter condemnation of the Hamas attack on
innocent Israeli citizens and call for the release of all
hostages without delay."
“However, just as there can be no historical justification for
such acts, neither is there any justification for the
indiscriminate killing of innocents who are subject to terror and
barbarism whilst the world looks on.
“We join with the First Minister and the Scottish Government, in
addition to the United Nations, the World Health Organisation and
international agencies across the world, in demanding a ceasefire
and to end the killing of innocent men, women and children within
the region.
"Collective punishment is a war crime. International law
must be upheld. Peace must reign. However distant it may seem, a
political solution can be found that guarantees peace and
statehood for all peoples in Israel and Palestine."
