The Scottish National Party (SNP) has rejected the accusations from the UK government that its call for a Gaza ceasefire was a cynical political ploy to win votes from the Muslim community. The SNP said that its motion, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, was a humanitarian gesture to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and to support the efforts of the international community to broker a lasting peace.
SNP motion condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza
The motion, which was tabled by SNP MSP Humza Yousaf, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza, which have killed almost 10,000 people, mostly civilians, and injured nearly 2,000 more. The motion also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and called for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, and a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.
The motion was supported by all the parties in the Scottish Parliament, except for the Conservatives, who abstained. The Conservatives argued that the motion was biased against Israel and ignored the role of Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, in provoking the conflict by launching rockets at Israeli cities.
The motion also urged the UK government to use its influence as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to press for a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution. The motion noted that the UK government had failed to condemn the Israeli attacks and had blocked a joint statement by the Security Council calling for a cessation of hostilities.
UK government accuses SNP of playing politics with Gaza crisis
The UK government, which has been criticized by human rights groups and some of its own MPs for its muted response to the Gaza crisis, accused the SNP of playing politics with a sensitive and complex issue. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said that the SNP motion was a “cynical attempt to exploit the suffering of the Palestinian people for electoral gain”.
The spokesperson said that the UK government was working closely with its allies and partners to bring an end to the violence and to support a negotiated settlement that would ensure the security and dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians. The spokesperson added that the UK government had provided £10 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza and had urged both sides to respect international humanitarian law and to protect civilians.
SNP rejects UK government’s criticism as “shameful and dishonest”
The SNP dismissed the UK government’s criticism as “shameful and dishonest” and said that it was the UK government that was playing politics with the Gaza crisis by siding with Israel and ignoring the plight of the Palestinians. The SNP said that its motion was based on the principles of human rights, international law, and justice, and that it reflected the views of the majority of the Scottish people and the wider international community.
The SNP said that the UK government’s stance on the Gaza crisis was damaging its reputation and credibility in the world and undermining its role as a peacemaker. The SNP said that the UK government should follow the example of the Scottish Parliament and the UN Security Council, which have both called for a full adherence to the ceasefire that was announced on Friday after 11 days of fighting.
The SNP also said that the UK government should support the efforts of the UN, the Middle East Quartet, and other international partners to revive the peace process and to address the root causes of the conflict, such as the illegal settlements, the blockade of Gaza, and the denial of Palestinian rights.
