Case for Israeli sanctions ‘unanswerable’ after UN report, says Swinney

The case for the UK imposing sanctions on members of the Israeli Government for its actions in Gaza is now “unanswerable”, Scotland’s First Minister has said.

A group of three independent experts commissioned by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council concluded in a report released on Tuesday that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza.

The group’s chairwoman Navi Pillay said there was clear intent to “destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention”.

Responding to the report, First Minister John Swinney – speaking as Israeli forces launched a ground offensive into Gaza City – said the report laid out “further deeply concerning evidence that a genocide is being committed” by the Netanyahu regime.

The Scottish Government is placing renewed pressure on UK ministers to place sanctions on their Israeli counterparts, with External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson writing to the UK Government.

“The situation is becoming ever more horrific and the international community cannot ignore our obligations to act in light of what we are seeing,” the First Minister said.

“Silence – and inaction – is not an option.

“Too many innocent Palestinians have already died, and more will follow unless we see serious and urgent action from the international community to put an end to this horror.

“The case for imposing sanctions on the members of the government of Israel who are responsible is now unanswerable.

“External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson will today write to the UK Government to again insist that it shoulders its unique historic responsibility to pressurise the Israeli government to change course and ensure a peaceful resolution.”

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “Our long-standing position is that any formal determination as to whether genocide has occurred should be made following a judgment by a competent national or international court.

“But as we’ve made extremely clear – what is happening in Gaza is appalling and we continue to call on Israel to change course immediately by halting its ground offensive and letting in a surge of humanitarian aid without delay.

“The death and destruction is causing an unbearable humanitarian catastrophe and putting the hostages at risk – as their families have rightly recognised.”

Also responding to the report, Scottish Green external affairs spokesman Patrick Harvie said: “There is a responsibility on every government to take every step they can to end their complicity in the destruction, but too many are choosing to look the other way.

“The UK hasn’t only ignored the genocide that is taking place, it has actively denied it.”

He added: “The Scottish Government must lead by example.

“Our Parliament voted to back Green proposals for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel, but those words need to be turned into reality with a full range of actions, including the prosecution of any Israeli military personnel who have returned to Scotland.”