Scotland’s First Minister announces funding pause for arms companies supplying Israel
Palestinian flags fly from Scottish government buildings
Scotland’s funding for arms companies supplying Israel will be paused, First Minister John Swinney has announced as the Palestinian flag flew over government buildings.
MSPs also voted 65 to 24 – with 26 abstentions – to back the recognition of a state of Palestine in a symbolic vote.
In his speech Swinney urged the UK Government to recognise the state of Palestine and withdraw from the trade deal with Israel, telling MSPs there is a “prima facie case of genocide in Gaza”.
He said: “Previously, we have provided business grants and investment support to companies involved in the design, production, supply and support for military equipment, technologies and services.
“We do so because we recognise that defending our country, defending our continent, is a duty of Government – anyone watching the war in Ukraine would, I hope, recognise the reality of the importance of defence.”
He added: “In recognition of that changed international landscape, the Scottish Government will lift the restriction that we have applied on the use of support for the production of munitions, but in the face of genocide, there can be no business as usual.
“We will pause new awards of public money to arms companies whose products or services are provided to countries where there is plausible evidence of genocide being committed by that country – that will include Israel.”
The pause will cover the Scottish Government itself, the Scottish National Investment Bank and the nation’s enterprise agencies, the First Minister said.
Money already pledged for apprenticeships will be honoured.
Along with the shift on funding for arms companies, the First Minister said 20 children injured in the crisis will be brought to Scotland for medical treatment, while £400,000 will be spent on the creation of a rapidly deployable hospital for use in Gaza.
The First Minister said it is “time for the United Kingdom to withdraw from the UK-Israel free trade agreement in view of Israel’s behaviour”, and the UK Government should follow Ireland’s lead in prohibiting goods made in the occupied West Bank.
Following the announcement, Scottish Government delivery bodies such as Scottish Enterprise will not provide support for trade between Scotland and Israel.
“We are witnessing a humanitarian disaster of historic proportions and yet the bombs continue to fall,” the First Minister said.
“The world cannot wait for a final court ruling before acting.
“The signs are clear, the alarm has been raised, the bombs and rockets must stop and humanitarian aid must flow.”
He added: “Acknowledging that we are witnessing the signs of genocide brings with it a responsibility to act – the people of Scotland expect no less of us.”
Responding to the First Minister’s statement, Timothy Lovat, Chair of the Jewish Council of Scotland (JCoS) said:
“It is disappointing that despite his warm and reassuring words when we met with him and Angus Robertson on Monday, the First Minister has chosen to express a position that we are concerned will undermine the safety, security and well-being of the Jewish community in Scotland.
“We set out our concerns in writing to the First Minister’s office yesterday and will continue to engage with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to safeguard our community’s welfare and future in Scotland.”
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