Public Sector Contracts (Illegal Settlements)
Ross Greer (West Scotland)
(Green)
By making calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, the First Minister has
shown the moral leadership that is completely lacking at
Westminster. Although the focus is, rightly, on trying to stop
the slaughter that is happening there, it is clear that more than
180 Palestinians have been killed by extremist Israeli
settlers and soldiers in the West Bank, and 1,000 have been
forced to flee their villages. The United Nations has identified
97 companies that are complicit in Israel’s illegal occupation
through its West Bank settlements.
The Scottish Government, rightly, takes a very strong stance
against support for any company that is still trading with Russia
after its invasion of Ukraine. Will the First Minister confirm
that any company that is complicit in illegal occupation—whether
it be of Palestine or of Ukraine—will be banned from receiving
public sector contracts or grants here in Scotland?
The First
Minister
It is worth reiterating that it is also the position of the UK
Government that such settlements are illegal, and that most of
the international community agrees with that.
When was the Minister for Business,
Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, he wrote to a small number of
companies that were on a United Nations list and had links to the
Government or public bodies to ask what steps they were taking in
relation to working in illegal settlements.
My understanding is that we are somewhat constrained in what we
can do under the devolved settlement, but I make it very clear to
Ross Greer that we will examine what we are able to do. Anybody
who is profiteering from illegal settlements anywhere—wherever
they are, including in the occupied territories—should not be
able to profit from public contracts here.
Let us explore what is possible within the limitations of
devolution. I join Ross Greer and many others across the chamber
in urging the international community to get right behind a
ceasefire—of course, a ceasefire now.
