Scottish MSPs offer support

The Scottish parliament has spoken out against the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire.

A motion to the Scottish parliament proposed by Nicola Sturgeon, the deputy first minister, and supported by all parties except the Tories, pledged support for humanitarian aid and for agencies such as Islamic Relief working in Gaza.

Sturgeon pointed out three MSPs – Sandra White, Pauline McNeill and Hugh O’Donnell – “recently braved a 13-hour boat ride across the Mediterranean to Gaza and will no doubt speak about the appalling conditions they witnessed”.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill said, “A homeland for Palestinians has been promised for over 60 years, it’s the world’s failure,” she said. “The siege of Gaza meant that an entire population was collectively punished for these actions.”

The Scottish executive has offered to provide hospital beds and medical care for the wounded of Gaza. Stop the War Coalition supporters lobbied MSPs prior to the debate.