Ending Israel arms sales ‘best
into wider regional confrontation? What kind of ally is continuing to consolidate an illegal 57-year-old occupation contradicting even the UK’s own policies and laws?
“How did the British political establishment, across the political spectrum, become so engulfed with Israel that it cannot see Israel for what it is?”
The emergency session was led by STUC general secretary Roz Foyer, who spoke about the need for the trade union movement in Scotland to demonstrate their support for Palestine.
Speaking to The National before the session, Foyer said the STUC make “absolutely no apologies” for allocating part of their agenda to reiterating the STUC’s “longstanding support” for the people of Palestine.
“I don’t think there is any time more important than right now,” she said. “You can see the human tragedy unfolding, we’re facing a complete humanitarian disaster in Palestine.
“Right now, every day is vital. Women, children, journalists, aid workers – innocent people are dying, and that is completely unacceptable.
“Given that we are watching genocide unfolding before our very eyes, this has to stop. It’s incumbent on every single person right across the world who has a shred of humanity in them to do anything they can to help the people of Palestine.”
The STUC also voted to call for an immediate halt of UK arms sales to Israel, a sentiment echoed by both First Minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar during speeches given to delegates.
ENDING arms sales to Israel would be the best form of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Government has been warned as ministers were told Palestinians were living in “hell on Earth”.
It comes as, delivering an update on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Foreign Office minister David Rutley said the situation in Palestine was “dire”.
He told MPs: “The Iran attack and our support for Israel has not changed our focus on ensuring Israel meets its commitments to enable at least 500 aid trucks a day to enter Gaza, to open Ashdod port for aid deliveries, expand the Jordan land corridor, open a crossing into northern Gaza and extending hours at Kerem Shalom and Mitzi.
“We are pushing as hard as we can to get aid to Palestinian civilians and as this House knows we have been urging Israel at the highest levels to take immediate action on the bottlenecks holding up humanitarian relief.”
SNP foreign affairs spokesperson Brendan O’Hara called on the UK Government to end arms sales to Israel – a key part of the party’s stance on the crisis in the Middle East.
The Argyll and Bute MP said: “The elephant in the room is export arms, export licences. And for how much longer is the UK going to send humanitarian aid to Gaza while simultaneously licensing weapon sales to Israel?
“And wouldn’t the best form of humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza be to end supplying Israel with the weapons that will kill them?”