Scottish Government's Complicity in Israeli Genocide: A Call for Action

Strategic Insights -

The Scottish Government has been under fire for its alleged complicity in Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people. Despite First Minister John Swinney acknowledging the existence of a genocide in Palestine, his statement has been met with disappointment due to the lack of concrete action. The government has granted millions of pounds to companies involved in arms dealing, including BAE, Raytheon, and Leonardo, which are actively enabling the destruction of Gaza. The Greens MSPs proposed a motion to stop public funding of arms dealers, but it was rejected by the SNP, Labour, and other parties, leading to a review that concluded no problems existed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Scottish Government has granted £millions to 13 companies involved in arms dealing, including BAE, Raytheon, and Leonardo, which are actively enabling the genocide of the Palestinian people.
  • The Greens MSPs proposed a motion to stop public funding of arms dealers, but it was rejected by the SNP, Labour, and other parties, leading to a review that concluded no problems existed.
  • The Scottish Government has failed to apply the same policy of cutting off economic and financial support to companies identified by the United Nations as complicit in Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine.
  • The BDS campaign, led by Palestinian civil society, calls for worldwide supporters of Palestinian freedom to put pressure on individuals and corporations who support and take part in Israel's genocide.
  • In 2022, the Scottish Government published guidance to businesses in Scotland, urging them to stop all trade with Russia, highlighting the moral difference between what is happening in Palestine and Ukraine.
  • The Scottish Government has never been able to explain its failure to take a similar approach to trade with Israel.
  • Every government at every level must play its part in ending this slaughter, and if the Scottish Government truly wants to do everything possible to end the suffering in Palestine, it urges John Swinney to implement a Scottish boycott of Israel until the occupation is ended.

Statistics:

  • £millions: The amount granted by the Scottish Government to 13 companies involved in arms dealing, including BAE, Raytheon, and Leonardo.
  • 13: The number of companies involved in arms dealing that have received Scottish Government grants.
  • 2022: The year in which the Scottish Government published guidance to businesses in Scotland, urging them to stop all trade with Russia.
  • 1980s: The decade in which the BDS campaign against apartheid South Africa was successful.
  • No: The number of problems identified by the Scottish Government's review of public funding of arms dealers.

Sources:

  • BBC News Scotland
  • The Guardian: "Scottish Greens push for 'no aid to apartheid Israel' motion"
  • John Swinney's statement at the Edinburgh Festival this month
  • United Nations: "Occupation, colonialism, and apartheid: A framework of reference to guide the work of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967"