The SNP has urged both and Sir to commit to the
UK formally recognising the state of Palestine.
It follows Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, telling
the United States he opposes the proposal.
First Minister, , has previously written to the
Prime Minister urging him to recognise the state of Palestine,
but is yet to receive a response.
Sir has also recently dropped his
party's promise to recognise Palestine as a state unilaterally,
despite Labour's National Executive Committee committing to it
last year.
The House of Commons has previously voted in favour of
international recognition back in 2014, but the vote was not
binding on the UK government.
Brendan O'Hara MP, the SNP's foreign affairs spokesperson, has
said both leaders have "dithered and delayed" for too long on the
issue, and that formal recognition would be a crucial first step
"towards a peaceful, two state solution in the Middle East".
Commenting, Brendan O'Hara MP said:
"Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to recognise the state of Palestine
is a dangerous setback that will only fuel the conflict in Gaza.
"That is why it is crucial both and Sir show leadership on the
international stage by confirming that the UK does
recognise the state of Palestine.
"They have dithered and delayed on this issue for too long.
"As well as backing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the SNP has
long called on all political parties to recognise the state of
Palestine to break the political impasse that has condemned both
Israeli and Palestinian civilians to successive cycles of
violence.
"Recognising the state of Palestine is one of the first steps in
the path towards a peaceful, two state solution in the Middle
East.
"It would also offer hope to those suffering from this horrific
conflict, and provide the international leadership that has been
sorely lacking from both the Tories and Labour."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
'Netanyahu publicly rejects US push for Palestinian state'
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68025945
' dumps Labour Party policy to
recognise Palestinian statehood' - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/keir-starmer-dumps-party-policy-recognise-palestinian-statehood
'First Minister calls for recognition of state of Palestine'
- https://www.gov.scot/news/first-minister-calls-for-recognition-of-state-of-palestine/
'UK government recognition of the State of Palestine alongside
the State of Israel' - https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2022-0039/
