Gaza (Humanitarian Aid)
6. Stephanie Callaghan
(Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its humanitarian aid
funding, whether it will provide an update on any further action
it can take to help provide support to those affected by the
conflict in Gaza. (S6O-02717)
The Cabinet Secretary for
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture ()
We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent terrorist attacks
committed by Hamas. However, in exercising its right to defend
itself, Israel must abide by
international humanitarian law. The civilian populations in Gaza
and the West Bank cannot and must not be held responsible for
crimes committed by a terrorist organisation.
Last week, we announced a further £250,000 contribution towards
the United Nations flash appeal in response to the humanitarian
crisis in Gaza, in addition to the £500,000 that we committed
last month.
Stephanie
Callaghan
Scotland will always be a welcoming place and a compassionate
sanctuary for refugees. Given the harrowing and inhumane
conditions that we are witnessing in Gaza, and the immediate and
growing need for support—particularly when the UK Government’s
stance on an immediate ceasefire is conflicting—can the cabinet
secretary provide an update on what further steps the Scottish
Government can take to welcome Palestinian refugees in Scotland?
The First Minister has been clear that we stand ready to welcome
refugees in Scotland, should that be required, and the Cabinet
Secretary for Social Justice wrote to the former Home Secretary
to request a meeting to discuss plans. I reiterated those calls
in my recent appearances before the Constitution, Europe,
External Affairs and Culture Committee. We wait to hear from the
new Home Secretary what approach he plans to take.
Carol Mochan (South
Scotland) (Lab)
It is estimated that 50,000 pregnant women are trapped in Gaza,
with around 5,000 due to give birth during the next month, and
without clean water, medicine and humanitarian aid those women
and their babies will be at risk, which is devastating. What
discussions have been had with relevant aid organisations
regarding the specific challenges that pregnant women face, and
in future discussions regarding humanitarian aid, will the
cabinet secretary raise the specific needs of that key,
vulnerable group whenever he has the opportunity?
I agree entirely with the question. Our main interlocutors in
relation to aid in Gaza are the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency, which is the UN agency that deals with the Palestinian
authorities.
Of course, we believe that a ceasefire is absolutely key to being
able to ensure that the humanitarian support manages to get in
and to deal with the very specific challenges that the member has
raised, as well as many others. Unfortunately, the civilian
population is suffering grievously in Gaza. Everything needs to
be done to help and support them, while acknowledging, as I have
already, our condemnation—no doubt across the chamber—and our
opposition to the terrorist atrocity that Hamas visited on
innocent Israeli people in October.
