SNP Calls on UK to Act on Dire Gaza Catastrophe
(MENAFN) The Scottish National Party’s (SNP) Middle East spokesperson has urgently called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to break his silence and escalate action regarding the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
“Your Labour Government cannot sit silent as a genocide unfolds in Gaza and I look forward to hearing from you,” Brendan O’Hara stated in a letter cited by media.
O’Hara outlined specific measures Starmer must implement immediately: enforce a total arms embargo on Israel, officially recognize a Palestinian state, join the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) genocide prevention case, and impose economic sanctions on Israel. Additionally, he urged the UK government to issue a public warning to British nationals serving in the Israeli military, cautioning them they may face prosecution for war crimes upon returning home.
He also demanded the launch of a naval operation to deliver essential aid into Gaza and insisted on prosecuting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet by enforcing international arrest warrants.
“Failure to do so is a breach of your legal obligations,” O’Hara emphasized.
Meanwhile, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie “implored” both the UK and Scottish Governments to take “immediate action” by replacing military and political support for Israel with comprehensive sanctions.
“The fact that Gaza is facing famine is a grotesque and totally avoidable consequence of this horrific war. It is a man-made crisis and the forced starvation of a people,” Harvie declared.
He further accused the governments of “actively participating” in what he called a “late-stage genocide” by permitting Israeli forces to continue detaining displaced Palestinians and killing those seeking food and water.
“Downing Street must immediately end all arms sales and military cooperation with an Israeli government that is inflicting some of the worst atrocities of this century on the people of Gaza,” Harvie said.
He also urged the SNP to support global calls for boycott, divestment, and sanctions, and to cease public funding for companies “with Palestinian blood on their hands.”
According to the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), famine was confirmed in Gaza City as of August 15. Since October 2023, Israel has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians in Gaza, leaving the enclave devastated.
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