The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, attended a ceremony in London yesterday, 22 September, at the Palestinian Embassy in London where the flag of Palestine was raised.
The ceremony follows on from the UK Government officially recognising the State of Palestine. It recognised the State of Israel in 1950. The UK has now joined the vast majority of countries in the United Nations, 151, in this declaration.
The statement from the UK Government included its full support for Israel.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
“Recognition is an important step to preserve the prospect of a two-state solution, at a time when it is now under unprecedented threat. Two states is the only way to safeguard long term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
“Today’s historic decision, taken alongside some of our closest allies, to recognise a Palestinian State, reflects our unwavering commitment to a two-state solution and affirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.”
Scotland’s First Minister said that the UK Government must do much more:
- withdraw from the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, which commits both sides to respecting human rights obligations, in light of the Israeli Government’s actions
- prohibit the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
- set out the UK’s plans for ensuring that the implementation of the Strategic Defence Review does not support Israel, and for an end to all defence exports to Israel
- end all military cooperation with Israel while the war continues
- strengthen sanctions against those complicit in illegal settlements, and impose sanctions on the members of the Israeli security cabinet who are complicit in the horrors facing civilians in Gaza City
- join South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice and commit to implementing the International Criminal Court arrest warrants
- facilitate the evacuation of injured children from Gaza for treatment in Scotland
- urgently review what other steps the UK Government must take in view of the UK’s duty in international law to respond appropriately when a situation involving a serious risk of genocide arises
The Scottish Parliament voted on 3 September to recognise the State of Palestine. It was not agreed to by all MSPs. Orkney’s Constituency MSP Liam McArthur, along with his LibDem colleagues, all the Labour MSPs, 1 Independent and 1 Conservative, abstained. The rest of the Conservatives voted against. It was passed by the combined votes of the SNP and the Scottish Greens.
Calling for the ending of arms sales to Israel John Swinney said:
“Scotland stands with the people of Palestine, and everyone in the region who yearns for peace, and I will continue to do all that I can to support those suffering in Gaza and the West Bank.”
Gazan children and their families have arrived in Scotland for NHS treatment and the first students from Gaza will be coming to study at Scottish universities.
Sunday, 21 September was the International Day of Peace. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “We must silence the guns. End the suffering. Build bridges. And create stability and prosperity.”
The International Day of Peace was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 and later designated as a day of non-violence and ceasefire.
This year’s theme, Act Now for a Peaceful World, highlights the urgent need for collective action to prevent conflicts, combat hate and misinformation, and support peacebuilders – especially women and young people.
People in Orkney have been meeting on the Kirk Green in a Vigil for Gaza since the end of October 2023 calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unhindered delivery of aid, and the release of all hostages.
Fiona Grahame