The Scotsman

SNP demands to see legal advice on Israel and internatio­nal law

- Rhiannon James

The SNP has demanded that any legal advice given to the UK government on whether Israel has broken internatio­nal law be released.

In a letter to Attorney General Victoria Prentis, SNP MP Chris Law said there is “overwhelmi­ng public and parliament­ary interest” in advice given to the government being published.

Mr Law also called for arm sales to Israel to end immediatel­y if the country has breached internatio­nal law.

The Dundee West MP said: “Reports about the UK failing to release the informatio­n received from their lawyers about Israel’s potential breach of internatio­nal humanitari­an law is deeply concerning.

“That is why – with the support of colleagues from across both Houses – I have written to the Attorney General, demanding the UK government release all the legal advice it has received.

“There is overwhelmi­ng public interest in the issue, with over 30,000 Palestinia­n children, women and men killed – and Gaza on the brink of famine.

“From the outset, unlike the Tories and Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, the SNP’S values have been clear. We demand an immediate ceasefire, and will continue to push the UK government to end arm sales to Israel immediatel­y.

“Too many people have lost their lives. What else has to happen before the UK finally acts?”

Labour MP Richard Burgon has also called for arms sales to Israel to be suspended, following the death of British aid workers on Monday evening.

The Leeds East MP demanded an immediate investigat­ion into whether Uk-supplied arms were used to kill the seven World Central Kitchen workers, including three British nationals.

In a letter to Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, Mr Burgon wrote: “This attack once again underlines why the UK should immediatel­y suspend arms sales to Israel, given the role these could be playing in such deadly attacks on Gaza and even in war crimes carried out by the Israeli government.

“I do not need to remind you that internatio­nal law prohibits attacks on aid workers.”

 ?? PICTURE: AHMAD HASABALLAH/GETTY IMAGES ?? The SNP wants to see legal advice given to the UK government on whether Israel has broken internatio­nal law in Gaza war
PICTURE: AHMAD HASABALLAH/GETTY IMAGES The SNP wants to see legal advice given to the UK government on whether Israel has broken internatio­nal law in Gaza war

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom