SNP hold “shameless” secret meeting with Israeli ambassador
A secret meeting between the SNP Government and the Israeli deputy ambassador was “shameless” and “two-faced”, say the Scottish Greens.
In a report by The National, it was revealed that Scottish Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson met with the Deputy Israeli ambassador to discuss ‘mutual interests’, including energy and culture’ on 8 August.
The meeting went ahead despite repeated calls from the Scottish Greens for the SNP to turn their words into action and challenge Israel’s ongoing war crimes against the Palestinian people.
In November 2023, Green MSP Ross Greer called on then First Minister Humza Yousaf to ban companies identified by the UN as complicit in the illegal occupation of Palestine from receiving public grants or contracts in Scotland. Despite Mr Yousaf’s initial agreement, an exchange of letters and a meeting between Mr Greer and Scottish Government Ministers, no action was taken. At First Minister's Questions in May 2024, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP demanded that action be taken by Mr Yousaf’s successor, John Swinney.
The International Court of Justice has found that Israel is committing crimes, including apartheid and illegal occupation, and the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes committed against the people of Gaza during the ongoing assault.
“The Israeli regime is committing genocide in Gaza. They cut off water and electricity, restricted the supply of everything from medicines to period products and have slaughtered tens of thousands of innocent people in a ten month campaign of relentless bombing.
“This is a shameless two-faced approach from the SNP. They publicly condemn Israel’s war crimes whilst holding secret meetings with its representatives to discuss so-called ‘mutual interests’. Angus Robertson wouldn’t dream of meeting representatives of Syria’s murderous Assad regime. Apartheid Israel should be no different.“The Scottish Greens have repeatedly proposed ways the SNP could turn their strong words into action, using the powers of the Scottish Government to challenge Israel. For example, they could ban every business identified by the UN as complicit in the occupation of Palestine from receiving any public grants or contracts here in Scotland. I first made this suggestion months ago, but absolutely no action has been taken despite our repeated requests and those of the Palestinian community.
“The SNP can’t have it both ways. They should apologise for this underhand attempt to build closer ties with Israel at the very same time as it inflicts a horrific slaughter on the Palestinian people.”