14 June 2024
Dear Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee,
Thank you for your e-mail of 16 May to the First Minister regarding the current humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Firstly the Scottish Government unequivocally condemns the abhorrent terrorist actions of Hamas. The Scottish Government is equally clear that the civilian population of the Gaza strip cannot, and must not, be held responsible for crimes committed by a terrorist organisation.
We continue to support an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. In exercising its right to defend itself, Israel must abide by international humanitarian law. Humanitarian and medical facilities must be protected, and civilians must be given unrestricted access to the basic necessities of life, wherever they are. There is no justification for the bombing of medical facilities and schools. Humanitarian workers, vehicles and installations including hospitals and schools must be protected under international law. Israel’s military action has now gone far beyond any legitimate response.
The ICJ ruling is clear, the killing and destruction in Gaza must stop. Urgent humanitarian assistance must be provided to prevent more suffering and hostages must be released immediately.
The Former First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister (on 23 February, then 3 April) to call for an immediate ban of licenced arms exports from the United Kingdom. Banning the export of arms to Israel will be a clear signal to the Israeli Government in light of its recent actions in Rafah.
The Scottish Government does not believe that there is a case to send more weapons to Israel. The UN Security Council resolution called for a ceasefire. Israel has one of the most sophisticated armed forces in the world. By continuing to arm Israel, the UK is in danger of being complicit in killing innocent
civilians.
The Scottish Government has had human rights due diligence rules in place for some years, and even before the current conflict in Gaza we were addressing the question of businesses shown on a UN list as possibly being active in the occupied Palestine territories. We can only operate within the bounds of
the relevant UK legislation and our devolved powers which limit the activity the Scottish Government can take.
The UN Human Rights Council has called on its members “to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel, the occupying Power and to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights”.
The Scottish Government and our enterprise and skills agencies do not provide funding for the manufacture of munitions. Our enterprise agencies have appropriate safeguards in place to ensure that any funding provided is used only for the specific purpose intended.
The aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors are vital to Scotland’s economy. We have a crucial role in supporting these industries that, together, employ 16,000 people in Scotland. Our agencies’ support is focused on creating an environment in which sectors can continue to grow and prosper. This
includes ensuring that companies operating in Scotland have the opportunity and support to compete for contracts. ·All aerospace, defence and marine projects supported by Scottish Enterprise show significant economic impact in return for funding.
Our support for defence sector companies – which provide thousands of high value jobs across Scotland – is predominantly focused on non-military commercial projects and business diversification, Laser guidance systems have a broad range of civilian navigation uses, including for search and landing guidance for civilian helicopters. Licences for arms sales are provided by the UK Government.
The Scottish Government also welcome Ireland, Norway, Spain and Slovenia’s recognition of Palestinian statehood. The Scottish Government has previously called for the UK Government to officially recognise the State of Palestine to break the political impasse that has condemned Israelis and the Palestinians to successive cycles of violence and we re-iterate this call for the UK to review its position following the welcome decision by Ireland, Norway, Spain and Slovenia.
It is only with full recognition of Palestine, as a State in its own right, that we can truly move forward towards a two-state solution. Recognition would offer hope to Palestinians that a just and durable political solution is possible, and would allow Israel and Gaza to move towards long term peace and
stability which is in the interests of all parties.
The Scottish Government share their deepest condolences with all people who have lost loved ones as a result of this devastating conflict. There can be no defence of the killing of innocent civilians. The images and personal stories of those affected are harrowing and it is time for the international
community to take decisive action. Scotland stands ready to play its part in this.
Ian MacLean
MSU : Asylum and Refugee Integration
Open letter to First Minister and Scottish Government
16 May 2024
We at Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee (GGEC) acknowledge calls from the previous First Minister and Scottish Government for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
We ask that new First Minister John Swinney and the Scottish Government not only continue to support the people of Palestine, but call the atrocities in Gaza out for what they truly are: a “plausible genocide”, as laid down in an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling of January 2024.
In following this ruling, Scotland would be joining countries around the world in condemning Israel’s war crimes, a genocide unravelling before our very eyes.
We further urge the First Minister and Scottish Government to do everything within their available powers and influence to secure an immediate embargo on all arms and weapons components being sent from Scotland to Israel.
In doing so, Scotland would be joining countries around the world already blocking all arms sales to Israel.
Likewise, we ask that the Scottish Government divest from all companies and financial institutions connected to Israel, ensuring that we are working in every available way to bring an end to the genocide.
All these interventions would help ensure that the Scottish Government is not in any way complicit in, or enabling, Israel’s genocide and crimes against humanity.
We also ask that the Scottish Government push the Westminster Government to join multiple countries around the world in recognising Palestine as a full sovereign state.
Finally, we urge that, as First Minister, you join with the many rallies, demonstrations and other events around the country to voice your concern for Gaza, and show your meaningful support for the people of Palestine.
Yours Sincerely
GGEC