Issues - My policy positions

Gaza Border Violence

Like other Members, I am absolutely appalled by what is happening in Palestine right now.

It is important to note that we in the SNP support the European Union position of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. We firmly encourage Israel and Palestine to reach a sustainable, negotiated settlement under international law, based on mutual recognition and the determination to coexist peacefully. I, and other SNP MPs, will continue to engage with the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities through visits to the region and encourage them to work towards this.

What is crucial is that international law must be upheld and human rights must be respected.

The killing of demonstrators, including children, is both appalling and completely unacceptable. The heightened tensions in this long and protracted conflict has not been helped by the reckless move of the US embassy to Jerusalem.

Whilst I welcome the UK Government’s call for UN probe into deadly Israeli live fire against Palestinians, the UK Government really needs to find some more backbone. The Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, didn’t even bother to come to the House to outline what the UK’s response would be. He, and the rest of the Government, need to make it clear to the government of Israel that its deadly actions against protesters will not be tolerated by the international community, and I will continue to press the Government on this matter.