Yousaf tables Gaza ceasefire motion

SNP Leader Humza Yousaf has called on Scottish Labour to “stand firm and back an immediate ceasefire” as he tabled the Parliamentary motion on Gaza to be debated in Holyrood on Tuesday.

The motion will be the first time the Scottish Parliament has the opportunity to vote for a ceasefire, and follows votes in the Welsh Assembly and the UK Parliament last week - which Scottish Labour and Tory MPs shamefully opposed.

Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar has been widely criticised after Scotland’s two Labour MPs abstained on the ceasefire vote in Westminster. Sarwar refused to answer whether he himself would have voted for the SNP amendment calling for a ceasefire in Westminster on the BBC yesterday.

The Scotland on Sunday newspaper has reported the Scottish Labour leader is set to propose an amendment that would water down the substance of the call for an immediate ceasefire.

Humza Yousaf said:

“This week, the Scottish Parliament has an opportunity to unite to send a message of peace to world leaders and to those enduring untold suffering in the Middle East.

“The motion that will be debated, tabled today, condemns the barbaric and unjustifiable actions of Hamas, and echoes the calls of the UN Secretary-General for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

“This is a time for all of us to show leadership in the face of this humanitarian catastrophe. Anas Sarwar must stand firm and back an immediate ceasefire. The motion reflects his own public position on the issue. We will await the detail of the Labour amendment, but it must not water down calls for a ceasefire, as is being reported.

“An immediate ceasefire is the only way to end the tragic deaths of civilians. This week, I urge MSPs of all parties to come together and say enough is enough - the time for a ceasefire is now.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The motion text is below -

That this Parliament unequivocally condemns in the strongest possible terms Hamas’s barbaric and unjustifiable terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens on 7 October, and demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages; agrees all human life is equal and abhors the loss of innocent lives and affirms the right of all Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security; agrees the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza, including women and children who have been besieged by Israeli forces, must stop; associates itself with the UN Secretary General’s statements that there must be an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow civilians to escape harm, for hostages to be released, and for humanitarian aid to reach those in need and affirming that international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, must be upheld; reiterates its solidarity with Scotland’s Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian communities and condemns antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other form of hatred; welcomes the Scottish Government’s contribution of £750,000 towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s flash appeal for Gaza, and the humanitarian assistance announced by the UK Government; and reaffirms that a credible, lasting and sustainable peace can only be based on the two-state solution through reinvigorated diplomatic and political efforts in the Middle East Peace Process; and agrees with many in the international community that all parties must agree to an immediate ceasefire.