Diplomacy needed in Middle East
BY PAISLEY AND RENFREWSHIRE SOUTH MP MHAIRI BLACK
I condemn the acts of violence by the Iranian regime on Israel. They are no more than a cynical attempt to exploit the suffering, pain and turmoil being experienced by people in Palestine right now.
While we rightly condemn the violent acts of Iran, so too must we condemn the violent acts of Israel.
From listening to the interviews that the Prime Minister and his government have been giving on this, the Foreign Secretary is correct in his attempt to uphold the principle of proportionality.
But if firing 100 missiles in retaliation for an isolated attack on an embassy is correctly considered disproportionate, so too must be Israel’s 192-day bombardment of the people of Gaza.
We know that the agenda in Tehran is to bring about as much instability as possible. We have a responsibility to ensure that does not happen.
There is not going to be a military solution to the conflict in the Middle East. There must be a political and diplomatic solution so what is required now is the same as what was required six months ago: we need deescalation, and for the causes of conflict in the region to be reviewed.
The biggest continuing cause of conflict is the siege of Gaza; hence the need for a ceasefire.
The cost-of-living crisis is continuing to hit people in Renfrewshire hard.
I was recently contacted by the team at Renfrewshire Foodbank who informed me that over the last few months they have noticed a significant rise in people who are in paid work that are requiring support.
As a result of this, Renfrewshire Foodbank has decided to trial an evening distribution to help people who are in work have more flexible or timely access to the food bank.
From today, Wednesday, the food bank will be open in Paisley from 5pm to 7pm.
Let me be clear, it is completely shocking that in 2024 this service is needed on our doorstep but the reality is that people who are out working are struggling and relying on this service right now.
Renfrewshire Foodbank do a tremendous job and so do the local community in donating to the food bank. I want to see a Scotland where food banks do not need to exist but while we continue to be at the mercy of a revolving door of out-of-touch UK governments we do not have that privilege.