SNP accused of treating ‘atrocious situation’ in Gaza like a ‘party political football’ game
MPs have strongly condemned a 'one-sided' attempt by the SNP to back a Gaza ceasefire call that failed to condemn Hamas atrocities
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
MPs have accused the Scottish National Party of treating the “atrocious situation” in Gaza like a “party political football” game during an tense Commons ceasefire debate.
Conservative and Labour politicians led the criticism of the SNP’s tactics as the party’s leader in Westminster Stephen Flynn led calls for MPs to vote in favour of an Opposition Day amendment that called for an “immediate ceasefire” to hostilities in Gaza, while accusing Israel of engaging in the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
The SNP motion also failed to offer any condemnation of the terror group Hamas, nor call for a two-state solution, as it suggested “the only way to stop the slaughter of innocent civilians is to press for a ceasefire now.”
During the debate SNP MP Brendan O’Hara said Israel have “completely abandon[ed] international humanitarian law by imposing collective punishment on a defenceless civilian population.”
While SNP’ deputy leader Mhairi Black openly accused Israel of committing “war crimes” in Gaza.
Responding the shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the House the SNP motion was “one-sided” and said it was “crystal clear” that “you could not ask Israel to lay down its arms without also asking Hamas.”
Sir Michael Elis, the former attorney general, said the SNP “woefully” failed to recognise the reality of the situation in Gaza. He added:”I am sorry to say the SNP are not interested in a solution that would safeguard Gaza and allow an Israeli victory over Hamas.”
He accused the SNP of “political grandstanding” and added the SNP leader was guilty of making “incendiary charges” against Israel.
In another intervention Labour’s Andrew Gwynne spoke of the 1200 “innocent Israelis brutally raped and murdered on October 7th” which had led to the “brutal conflict” in Gaza.
He said he wanted an immediate ceasefire in Gaza but “words matter” and “if Hamas do not lay down their arms it is not a ceasefire.”Interupted by an SNP MP, Gwynne then accused the party of “playing party political football with the most atrocious situation in the Middle East.”
Stephen Crabb, a leading figure with Conservative Friends of Israel added:” “My problem with the SNP motion – there is no mention of the sexual violence and rape as a weapon of war against Israeli women. These crimes were recorded on mobile phones and body cams. Hamas fighters committing the most barbaric acts.”
Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh, addressing the House said nothing could justify the “genocide” on 7 October.
He added:”There is no point in having a unilateral ceasefire if you’re faced with a death cult who will go on bombing and killing innocent Israelis.”
Ian Paisley, the DUP MP, said the SNP motion doesn’t contain any word about the “rape of women, the murder of children” or the “unjustifiable” attack on Israel.
Labour Friends of Israel director Michael Rubin added:”It’s a disgrace the SNP are nakedly playing cheap political games with an important issue.
“At a time of unprecedented intimidation of elected officials, it is not just contemptible politics, but deeply irresponsible. If the SNP was serious about making a mature and constructive contrition to the debate they wouldn’t have tabled a one-sided motion that lets Hamas off the hook.”
In fiery scenes in the Commons on Wednesday, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle infuriated the SNP when he said he would allow a separate Labour amendment calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to be debated, but which also stressed “Israel cannot be expected to cease fighting if Hamas continues with violence” and that Israelis “have the right to assurance October 7th cannot happen again.”
The SNP had been hoping to lure left-wing Labour MPs into supporting their amendment, in order to heap political pressure on Keir Starmer, but Hoyle’s decision to allow the Labour amendment to be heard scuppered any chance of a rebellion.
The government also took the unusual decision of tabling their own motion in an opposition day debate. The Speaker was therefore duty bound to allow a government motion to be debated. In a decision that led some SNP and Tory MPs to call for hm to be replaced Hoyle allowed all three amendements.
There were claims the Speaker made the decision partly because of threats and intimidation made to MPs from pro-Palestine campaigners. Had he not allowed the Labour motion, many of its MPs would have been targeted for not supporting the SNP motion.
MPs were set to vote on the amendments on Wednesday evening. The SNP eventually said it would back the Labour amendment, in an attempt to make Labour MP back heir motion.
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