LONDON: Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) on Tuesday overwhelmingly voted for a ceasefire in Gaza, after a debate which opened with First Minister Humza Yousaf condemning both Hamas and the “humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza”.

Up to 90 MSPs supported a Scottish government motion, which was amended by Labour, stating that “all parties must agree to an immediate ceasefire”.

There were 28 MSPs who voted against it. Mr Yousaf said: “Israel has a right, like any other country in the world, to protect its citizens from terror. However, no country, Israel included, has a right to ignore international humanitarian law.

“That is why this government has repeatedly called for an end to the 16-year blockade and siege of Gaza. “It’s why this government is unequivocal in its condemnation of the Israeli government cutting off water, food, fuel and supplies to the entire population of Gaza at the beginning of this latest cycle of violence. Collective punishment can never be justified.”

Mr Yousaf urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer to formally recognise the state of Palestine, saying it was the “only way” forward for a two-state solution in the Middle East.

In contrast to his party in Westminster, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar backed the Scottish government’s call for a ceasefire. He stressed that it was “vital that we see a cessation of all violence” in the region, but that “all sides must be willing to comply”.

He condemned comments made by Hamas leaders in which the group said it would continue its attacks on Israel. He also condemned statements by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his government would not consider a ceasefire.

“Peace is only possible, not with bullets and bombs, but with a political process that leads to a two-state solution with an end to illegal occupation,” Sarwar said. Just last week, two motions on Gaza failed in the UK’s House of Common, with Labour has rejected calls to support a ceasefire.

Ahead of the vote by MSPs, Mr Yousaf described how his family reacted to the violence that unfolded on Oct 7.

“I will never forget the morning of October 7. Nadia and I woke to messages from my mother-in-law, Elizabeth, who was in Gaza, clearly in distress at the unfolding situation.

On a call, my mother-in-law described to me the scenes that she was witnessing that very morning.”The fear in her voice was palpable. There was no jubilation in the streets of their neighbourhood, simply fear of the inevitable retaliation that would be forthcoming.”

He said, “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, an end to the siege of Gaza, and for all parties to abide by international law.”

Published in Dawn, November 22th, 2023