🏴🗳️✅ Why I will be flying the Scottish flag at Sydney Pro-Palestine Rallies
🏴🗳️✅ Why I will be flying the Scottish flag at Sydney Pro-Palestine Rallies
The Scottish Parliament stance on Gaza - how they got it right
Article updated: Fri 26thApril 2024 (Sleekit Scotsman ☮️🏴 articles are updated periodically to add latest information on the subject of the article for relevance)
Synopsis
On the 21st November the 🏴 Scottish Parliament broke with the 🇬🇧 UK Parliament line and passed a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
As a Scotsman - I am incredibly proud of this position. And from next weekend - at the Sydney pro-Palestine protest, Sunday 10th December serendipitously coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of the 1948 signing of The Declaration of Human Rights (having checked appropriateness with the organisers) - I’ll be proudly flying my Scottish flag in solidarity! 🏴🇵🇸☺️
The article details:
The First Minister’s personal connection to Gaza
Political events in the UN and the UK leading up to the 21 Nov Scottish Parliament vote
The impact of the Scottish Vote
Contents
9 October: A Personal Connection: The Scottish First Minister’s Family
18 October: US vetos a UN Security Council Resolution calling for a humanitarian pause
26 October: UK Lawyers Open Letter - Legal Analysis of Israeli action and recommended actions
27 October: UK Abstains on a United Nations General Assembly Vote for Ceasefire
11 November: UK Parliament Receives a people’s petition seeking a ceasefire
15 November - UN Security Council Resolution - Humanitarian Pauses
17 November - South Africa refers Israel to the International Criminal Court
Introduction
This article discusses the difference in approach to Gaza between the Scottish and UK Parliaments in the context of a ceasefire motion tabled in both Parliaments in the month of November.
On the 21st November the Scottish Parliament passed a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. This article details the events leading up to the vote and the detail of the debate itself which is a model in balanced, thoughtful deliberation and a well worded motion.
As reference, as an explanation of the difference between the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament and the difference in legislative authority see below:
An explanation of Scottish v UK (Westminster) Parliament and Reserved Powers:
King of England my arse!
Disclaimer
Before I discuss Scotland’s approach to the Gaza Crisis - I’d just like to be clear that I am not affiliated with nor advocate for the ruling party in the Scottish Parliament the SNP in any way. On the contrary, when I lived in Scotland, I never voted for them.
I just think what they have done with respect to Gaza is pretty freaking cool.
9 October: A Personal Connection: The Scottish First Minister’s Family
The First Minister (Prime Minister) of the Scottish Parliament is the SNP’s Humza Yousaf a Scottish born son of Pakistani immigrants himself and has a wife of Palestinian descent1. His mother-in-law was visiting relatives in Palestine when the crisis started.
Yousef was on television visibly upset as he like countless others could not get in touch with his family. His mother-in-law posted a video online from the central Gaza Strip which she thought may have been her final communication2. Having witnessed the horrendous indiscriminate toll on the population she had a final heartfelt plea:
“One million people, no food, no water – and still they’re bombing them as they’re leaving. Where are you going to put them? But my thought is – all these people in the hospital cannot be evacuated.
Where is humanity? Where’s people’s hearts in the world, to let this happen in this day and age? May God help us, goodbye.”
In the end his mother-in-law and husband were able to cross over at Rafah on 3rd November3 - but their lives were changed forever.
18 October: US vetos a UN Security Council Resolution calling for a humanitarian pause
An extremely poor showing with the US veto on the Brazilian resolution4.
The main objections being that Hamas wasn’t called out specifically nor the events of 7th October condemned. Just shameful semantics.
26 October: UK Lawyers Open Letter - Legal Analysis of Israeli action and recommended actions
Over 1000 UK law professionals wrote a letter on 26th October to the UK Government detailing the illegal nature of Israel’s actions under international law, and calling on the UK Government to fulfil its obligations and call for a ceasefire5.
The letter was signed by former judges, barristers, legal professors, legal academics, solicitors, lawyers and 62 eminent Kings Counsel
The letter outlined a number of points
Illegality of Israeli actions under International Law: Legal opinion confirming the illegality of the Israeli actions in Gaza with respect to International Law
A case for genocide - noting intent in stated policy positions of Israel prior to the action
Calling for Securing a Ceasefire in the West Bank
Calling for Securing immediate relief of hostages
Calling for immediately halting export of weapons from UK to Israel - to avoid complicity in war crimes
After limited response from the Government, on 14th November the lawyers sent the letter on to every member of the UK Parliament and the devolved Parliaments on Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The letter contained updated death and casualty rates, and further illegal actions since the situation had considerably worsened over three weeks to the risks and pattern outlined in the original letter.
27 October: UK Abstains on a United Nations General Assembly Vote for Ceasefire
Fed up with the inability of the UN Security Council to be able to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire the UN General Assembly proposed a non-binding indicative vote of sentiment.
The frustration is the historical veto vote 5 members hold in the UN Security Council, stymieing any sway the UN might have through associated self-interested.
On 28 October UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a humanitarian truce in Gaza and upholding international law6 (why should this even require a vote??). A symbolic referendum really but demonstrates the global consensus, with the 14 no votes and 45 abstentions telling a political rather than humanitarian story.
Australia abstained in shame. The reason? That the resolution didn’t condemn Hamas by name or mention releasing Israeli hostages7. Hostages fairly clear, Hamas not so - it would be like condemning Sinn Féin for IRA murders. If anything, it should be specific to Hamas independent military wing (which should really have a completely different name for clarity).
Full wording of the resolution available on the UN Website8.
11 November: UK Parliament Receives a people’s petition seeking a ceasefire
Signed by 248,242 people of the required 100,000 to be considered.
The Government’s response was to note their approach in calling for humanitarian pauses at that point9.
Note may be another tabled opportunity in the face of the fast-changing situation. The ceasefire petition is actually scheduled to be debated in Parliament on 11th December and bound to receive particular focus from the chamber.
15 November London: UK Parliament Vote 🇬🇧🗳️❌
On 15 November the SNP MPs led by SNP Leader of the House Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) in Westminster introduced a vote demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Full text in Hansard10 but key points:
include measures that would require the Government to uphold international law and protect all civilians in Israel and Palestine
unequivocally condemn the horrific killings by Hamas and the taking of hostages;
reaffirm that there must be an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people
call for the urgent release of all hostages and an end to the siege of Gaza to allow vital supplies of food, fuel, medicine and water to reach the civilian population
note the growing calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire from the United Nations and its aid agencies
and therefore call on the Government to join with the international community in urgently pressing all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire
The motion was voted down 125 to 29411 - due to dutiful Conservative voting and Labour abstention - however there was a huge shift in the official opposition Labour Party led by Keir Starmer12. 56 MPs rebelled from the abstention and voted with the SNP on the motion and 8 of the 56 on Labour’s front bench resigned from the shadow cabinet.
After huge accusations of antisemitism in the Labour Party from Starmer’s predecessor, Labour has taken great pains to distance itself from anything that could be construed in that way and has publicly supported Israel 100%.
This is despite the fact that criticism of Israel is NOT antisemitism. Keir Starmer is also facing some criticism for receiving a huge donation from a wealthy Israeli Lobbyist to fund his campaign for leadership13.
More detail on Keir Starmer’s funding and April 2024 pro-Israeli harassment to try to shut down pro-Palestinian rallies here:
The vote would never pass - but it was an important motion to make and looking across MPs individual votes, revealed a changing sentiment in the face of the onslaught14.
15 November - UN Security Council Resolution - Humanitarian Pauses
Finally on 15 November the UN Security Council “passed” (it wasn’t blocked by veto) a resolution calling for not a ceasefire but extended humanitarian pauses15.
The heartbreaking thing was that the text of the resolution was essentially unchanged from the US-vetoed resolution over four weeks ago on 18 October (with the exception of a sensible call to release hostages from all sides, but that's a given) .. and since then another 7000 or so civilians including 4000 children had died...
There were 3 abstentions - which is at least progress as they weren’t vetos.
One abstention from the Russians because they tried to amend the wording to “demand” pause rather than “call” to give it some teeth to refer to, which wasn't implemented so they abstained.
Two from the UK/US in lock-step primarily since the wording continued to not specifically condemn Hamas for 7 October attacks - everyone agrees it horrific, what’s the wording going to achieve - at this point, that ship has sailed. And on that point of principle this has been delayed for the last 4 weeks with those heartbreaking consequences. 💔
Official Text of S/RES/2712(2023) is available on the UN website16.
Jumping forwards for a moment - how effective was the resolution?
Useless actually unenforced which it wasn’t (the language is pish - “we would really like it if you …..”):
Israel continued to ignore calls in the resolution
Nobody did anything about it other than “urge restraint” (Israel didn’t)
Finally a privately negotiated truce / hostage swap was organised in Qatar - technically a “humanitarian pause” but nothing to do with the UN
After the 6 day “humanitarian pause” broke today (4 Dec) - we can see the horrendous consequences (700+ more Palestinian civilians dead in two days).
As saying from day 1 a CEASEFIRE is needed not a humanitarian pause.
17 November - South Africa refers Israel to the International Criminal Court
South Africa together with four other countries referred Israel to the International Criminal Court to investigate potential war crimes17.
South Africa also withdrew all their diplomats from Israel and the Parliament unanimously has voted to downgrade Israel’s diplomatic presence in South Africa from an Embassy to a Liaison Office.
This is in addition to the ongoing 2021-commenced ICC investigation into the 2014 indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes that then killed over 2000 civilians18 and noting that evidence for acts committed post October 7th is being formally gathered to add to the investigation19.
21 November Edinburgh: Scottish Parliament Vote🏴🗳️✅
Back to the timeline - the Scottish Parliament on 21 Nov passed a fair and balanced motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza & release of all hostages.
This ceasefire motion was fair and balanced, speaking clearly on October 7th events, hostages, calling for a ceasefire and also calling for investigation of conduct of both parties.
The speeches preceding the vote were excellent and well worth watching20 (including reading out the names of many of the Jewish hostages, video below from Scottish Parliament TV:
I note MSP Ivan McKee MSP uses the terminology a US Senator was censured for, and people have been cancelled and sacked for in the debate21:
"All people—Israelis and Palestinians—between the river and the sea can live in peaceful liberty"
Seriously - that's all it means.
Upon the passing of the motion, Yousaf gave a video address outlining the outcome and his next actions22.
Yousaf has followed up the vote with a letter to UK PM Rishi Sunak calling for him to support the ongoing International Criminal Court investigation into war crimes on both sides of the conflict.
He also added a call for the UK Government moving to recognise Palestine as a sovereign State23 as a precursor to moving forward with the two-state solution
A proud and differentiating moment for Scotland in international policy (domestic policy always a different kettle of fish!) 🏴🇵🇸
Key Points of the Scottish Motion
Scottish Parliament Motion S6M-1134224 - key points:
That the Parliament unequivocally condemns in the strongest possible terms Hamas’s barbaric and unjustifiable terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens on 7 October 2023, and demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages;
agrees that all human life is equal, abhors the loss of innocent lives, and affirms the right of all Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security;
further agrees that the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza, including women and children who have been besieged by Israeli forces, must stop;
associates itself with the United Nations Secretary-General’s statements that there must be an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow civilians to escape harm, for hostages to be released, for humanitarian aid to reach those in need, and affirming that international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, must be upheld;
Scottish Parliament Chamber reiterates its solidarity with Scotland’s Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian communities and condemns antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other form of hatred;
welcomes the Scottish Government’s contribution of £750,000 towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s flash appeal for Gaza, and the humanitarian assistance announced by the UK Government;
reaffirms that a credible, lasting and sustainable peace can only be based on the two-state solution through reinvigorated diplomatic and political efforts in the Middle East Peace Process;
agrees with many in the international community that all parties must agree to an immediate ceasefire;
recognises that, in order for any ceasefire to work, it requires all sides to comply;
is horrified by the Hamas statement that it would repeat the 7 October attacks and continue rocket fire;
regrets that Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will not even consider a ceasefire;
calls, therefore, on the international community to use every form of diplomacy to try and create the conditions on the ground to make a ceasefire a reality;
further calls on the International Criminal Court to investigate the conduct of all parties in this conflict, and reaffirms the commitment to a lasting peace and a two-state solution with the end of illegal occupation, siege and settlements
23 November - Meeting both communities
After the vote the Scottish First Minister carried on duties.
On the same day, separately Yousaf met members of the Jewish community to stand against antisemitism, and also the Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK Husam Zomlot.
There is no contradiction there, calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in support of the Palestinian civilians whilst protecting the Scottish Jewish community from anti-Semitism whether they support the Israeli cause or not.
Yousaf is also the first senior UK Politician to meet Zomlot since the crisis began, citing his apparent inability to denounce the Oct 7th attacks.
However - it was later seen that the constant first question of Palestinian and pro-Palestinian speakers at interviews is a cynical ploy unrelated to the major issue of the genocide.
Zomlot’s interview was heavily edited just to focus on that point - but his overall interview talking about press positioning of the crisis and interviews with any Palestinian even prior to Oct 7th are very telling (Source: BBC News Interview with Husam Zomlot Oct 8 2023, unedited version).
To Conclude: The Impact of the Motion
For varying reasons - the Scottish Parliament led by the SNP often takes policy positions diametrically opposed to the UK Parliament in Westminster.
For more detail on the politics of the SNP see here:
Scots - we're no like you by the way
To be fair, the SNP has a majority in the Scottish Parliament, so the motion was always going to pass (90 for, 28 against and 11 abstentions).
Also - the motion is symbolic since positions on foreign policy are a Reserved Power for the UK Parliament.
However - it is still an important statement for the Scottish Parliament and indeed the SNP to say in a very strong yet balanced statement - the support for a ceasefire in contrast to the rest of the UK.
For me on matters of humanitarian rights over politics it shows their hearts are in the right place and I am proud to showcase the motion and watch the follow-on push that Humza and the SNP have promised.
Related Articles
Differences between the Scottish and UK Parliaments (Sleekit Scotsman Substack 29 Nov )
Why the SNP takes the policy positions it does (Sleekit Scotsman Substack 29 Nov):
More detail on Keir Starmer’s donation and April 2024 pro-Israeli harassment to try to shut down pro-Palestinian rallies here:
UN Ceasefire Vote 28 Oct (Original Sleekit Scotsman Post): https://www.facebook.com/sleekit.scotsman2/posts/pfbid0QEbERC8N5ZrQmfvCpQvNwsR14fRjybSPuRP6obMKtQ6nEydzD7zCJUaArAKYSHYMl
Israeli State Lobbying and vested interests 31 Oct (Keir Starmer Israeli Lobby group campaign donations; Original Sleekit Scotsman Facebook Post) https://www.facebook.com/sleekit.scotsman2/posts/pfbid0231u2eE188gijbWNxXtZckVr53pck9DN5XMu1hqUmasQ7b5rCjTGfPtNJAyvedRknl
UK Parliament Ceasefire Vote - 15 Nov (Original Sleekit Scotsman Facebook Post): https://www.facebook.com/sleekit.scotsman2/posts/pfbid02EnEzyFwtkB9dGPoDAU4yseck2P66VRV3WDhTB97HDprCjdmeuPaeivEJMfxWh2ZRl
UN Security Council Resolution 15 Nov Summary Vote (Original Sleekit Scotsman Facebook Post) - https://www.facebook.com/sleekit.scotsman2/posts/pfbid0tHvv9unysbD3MZh6bJzXJS7zpzsKjGc7y1EQtWDfSXgBvSi4Qit3teCjkHYYXtrBl
UN Security Council Resolution 2712 15 Nov - analysis of the document and key points (Original Sleekit Scotsman Facebook Post 23 Nov) - https://www.facebook.com/sleekit.scotsman2/posts/pfbid04TfgWUpXrijbcnHLq24aypgw9L5EBLoEFfsprPG8rbk1vwwX8KjP8p3KNNiwJo74l
Scottish Parliament Ceasefire Vote 21 Nov (Original Sleekit Scotsman Facebook Post) - https://www.facebook.com/sleekit.scotsman2/posts/pfbid02a8AKSP6YSg4iUuaWMNTtg3BNKCYWZ5zG67hNCDXXNfbwjSLvemhKmyoB7tBQui6Wl
Scottish First Minister meeting Palestinian Ambassador and Scottish Jewish Community: 23 Nov (Original Sleekit Scotsman Facebook Post) - https://www.facebook.com/sleekit.scotsman2/posts/pfbid027ECoTUTmcU6ZAQXYyp9LieLLd8YpBYeef1WN1bV9M4nDEfZVkgCzoew4ejaUTi2Jl
South Africa and four other nations refer Israel to the International Criminal Court: (Sleekit Scotsman Original Facebook Post) 23 November 2023: https://www.facebook.com/sleekit.scotsman2/posts/122110615712106334
Brittanica.com biography - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Humza-Yousaf
The Guardian 14 Oct 2023 - “Where is humanity?’: Humza Yousaf’s mother-in-law sends tearful video from Gaza”- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/13/wheres-peoples-hearts-humza-yousaf-mother-in-law-sends-tearful-video-from-gaza
Sky News 20 November “ 'My life has changed forever': Humza Yousaf's mother-in-law describes escape from Gaza“- https://news.sky.com/story/my-life-has-changed-forever-humza-yousafs-mother-in-law-describes-escape-from-gaza-13012151
UN News 18 October - “Israel-Gaza crisis: US vetoes Security Council resolution“ - https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142507
UK English Legal Profession Letter to UK Parliament 26 October - website - https://lawyersletter.uk
United Nations News 27 Oct 2023 “Gaza crisis: General Assembly adopts resolution calling for ‘humanitarian truce’, civilian protection“ - https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142932
Australian Mission to the UN Website press release 27 Oct 2023 - “231027 - UN General Assembly - Tenth Emergency Special Session: Illegal Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem - explanation of vote” https://unny.mission.gov.au/unny/231027_UNGA_Tenth_Emergency_Special_Session_Illegal_Israeli_actions_occupied_East_Jerusalem_explanation_vote.html
UN General Assembly Resolution on Gaza 26 Oct: Website Document Store “Tenth emergency special session, Agenda item 5, Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory”- https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N23/319/20/PDF/N2331920.pdf?OpenElement
UK Government & Petitions Website 11 Dec: Ceasefire Petition - https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/648292
UK Parliament Hansard 15 Nov Division 2: Violence Reduction, Policing and Criminal Justice - https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-11-15/debates/91A91AE0-3AE5-4111-AC48-354F8AC2AFFD/ViolenceReductionPolicingAndCriminalJustice#division-48846
UK Parliament Website: Ceasefire Division Official Count 15 Nov - https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-11-15/division/04086A18-C892-414D-BB9F-49CEA19BF588/ViolenceReductionPolicingAndCriminalJustice?outputType=Names
Starmer loses eight front benchers in Commons Vote calling for Ceasefire in Gaza (Irish Times 15 Nov) - https://www.irishtimes.com/world/uk/2023/11/15/starmer-loses-eight-frontbenchers-in-commons-vote-calling-for-ceasefire-in-gaza
UK Register of MPs Financial Interests: 11 May 2020 Keir Starmer (Donator: Sir Trevor Chinn , 26 Feb 2020, £50,000): https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/200511/starmer_keir.htm
UK Parliament Hansard: Votes by Party / MP on the Ceasefire Division 15 Nov: https://votes.parliament.uk/votes/commons/division/1666
UN News 15 November “Israel-Palestine crisis: Security Council calls for urgent, extended humanitarian pauses in Gaza” - https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143632
UN Document Store: “Resolution 2712 (2023) on Gaza Humanitarian Pauses; Adopted by the Security Council at its 9479th meeting, on 15 November 2023- https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N23/359/02/PDF/N2335902.pdf?OpenElement
International Criminal Court Website press release 17 Nov 2023: “Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim A.A. Khan KC, on the Situation in the State of Palestine: receipt of a referral from five States Parties” - https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-prosecutor-international-criminal-court-karim-aa-khan-kc-situation-state-palestine
International Criminal Court website: Investigation into the Situation in the State of Palestine: ICC-01/18: https://www.icc-cpi.int/palestine
UN Office of Human Rights Press Release 10 October 2023: Commission of Inquiry collecting evidence of war crimes committed by all sides in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/10/commission-inquiry-collecting-evidence-war-crimes-committed-all-sides-israel
Scottish Parliament Website - Parliament TV: 21 November 2023 “Scottish Government Debate: The Situation in the Middle East“ - https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/scottish-government-debate-the-situation-in-the-middle-east-november-21-2023
Scottish Parliament Hansard - transcript of debate 21 November 2023: Situation in the Middle East - Ivan McKee comments: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-21-11-2023?meeting=15559&iob=132762#orscontributions_M5612E437P773C2535624
Humza Yousaf Facebook Video 22 Nov “Scottish Parliament votes for immediate Israel-Gaza ceasefire“: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=384020587284925
BBC News Website 21 Nov 2023 - “Humza Yousaf urges PM to recognise Palestinian state” - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-67475358
Scottish Parliament Website Chamber & Committees Hansard: 20 Nov “The Situation in the Middle East“ https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/votes-and-motions/S6M-11342