MSPs have voted in favour of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and
the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by
Hamas, following a debate in the Scottish Parliament.
Opening the debate, First Minister said the chamber was unified
in resolute condemnation of Hamas’ abhorrent terrorist attacks
and the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
This followed a letter sent by the First Minister to the Prime
Minister and Sir this morning, calling for the
UK to officially recognise the State of Palestine in order to
break the political impasse that has condemned Israelis and
Palestinians to successive cycles of violence.
The First Minister said:
“In Scotland, the Muslim and Jewish communities have enjoyed
decades of friendship, decades of shared humanity and faith.
Nowhere is that more evident than in East Renfrewshire, home of
Scotland’s largest Jewish community, and a significant Muslim
population too, who have lived side-by-side in harmony for many
years.
“But we cannot be complacent. We must all be proactive in rooting
out any hint of Islamophobia or antisemitism wherever it occurs.
Presiding Officer, even though it feels impossible to look past
the current horrors of war, we must ensure that this perpetual
cycle of violence that we see occur far too often finally ends,
once and for all, in a peaceful resolution.
“To that end, there must be a renewed, and serious international
effort towards a two-state solution. Israeli and Palestinian
states that can co-exist in safety, security and with equal
rights for each of its citizens.
“Unfortunately, the world has not kept its promise to the
Palestinian people. They have not been given a free sovereign
state, along the 1967 borders, as they were promised. Quite the
opposite. The continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the
occupied West Bank is not only illegal but works against a
peaceful resolution. So it is simply not enough anymore to pay
lip-service to a two-state solution, we must take steps to turn
that into a reality.
“To that end, I have written to the Prime Minister, and to Sir
, and urged them to immediately
take steps to ensure the UK recognises the State of Palestine. It
is only with full recognition of Palestine, as a State in its own
right, that we can truly move forward towards a two-state
solution.
“To conclude, Presiding Officer, to prevent further deaths, the
bombs, the rockets – they must stop. The Scottish Government
continues to call for an immediate ceasefire, for the safe
release of all hostages, for an end to the killing of innocent
civilians in Gaza, for an end to the siege of Gaza, and for all
parties to abide by international law.
“The UK government and the international community must use their
influence to prevent the further loss of innocent
life. Every child the world over deserves to grow old. The
children of Gaza and Israel deserve nothing less. It is our moral
obligation to act. Let us hope even in these, the darkest of
times, that humanity prevails.”
Background
Gaza and Israel debate:
First Minister's Speech
First Minister calls for
recognition of state of Palestine
