MSPs back Gaza ceasefire calls as Yousaf warns of cruelty facing patients

Requires a right away ceasefire in Gaza have been backed by MSPs as Scotland’s First Minister described the “cruelty” facing patients within the area’s hospitals.

Humza Yousaf led a debate on Tuesday the place he condemned the “abhorrent terrorist assaults” by Hamas whereas urging the Scottish Parliament to take a stand towards collective punishment on Palestinians.

Mr Yousaf opened the controversy by remembering the worry skilled by his mother-in-law Elizabeth El-Nakla after the battle erupted following the October 7 assaults on Israel.

Whereas Mrs El-Nakla and her husband Maged, the dad and mom of Mr Yousaf’s spouse Nadia, escaped the battle and returned to Dundee, their household stays in Gaza, their son Mohammed, a health care provider, and his poorly grandmother, 92.

Mr Yousaf advised MSPs medical doctors in Gaza had been having to take harmful dangers to deal with their patients as important provides ran out.

He mentioned: “This Authorities is unequivocal in its condemnation of the Israeli authorities chopping off water, meals, gas and provides to the complete inhabitants of Gaza. Collective punishment can by no means be justified.

“Medical doctors, like my very own brother-in-law Mohammed, are pressured to follow medieval drugs, reportedly amputating limbs, stitching up critical wounds, even performing caesarean sections, with out adequate anaesthetic. This can be a cruelty that can’t be allowed to proceed.

“This Parliament and the worldwide neighborhood should unite in calling for a right away ceasefire.”

The movement, amended by a Scottish Labour modification which referred to as for the Worldwide Legal Courtroom to analyze the battle’s conduct, handed by 90 votes to twenty-eight.

Nonetheless, a Scottish Tory modification, as an alternative backing an humanitarian pause, fell by 89 votes to twenty-eight.

Scottish Tory exterior affairs spokesman Donald Cameron mentioned: “Israel has the suitable to defend itself towards terrorists, however each precaution should be taken by the Israeli authorities to guard harmless civilians from hurt.”

He mentioned the Scottish Tories “abhor the loss of harmless lives” however added that there was “no hope” a ceasefire would work.

He mentioned: “A ceasefire requires each of the 2 opposing sides to assist it and, regrettably, it has been clear for a while now that Hamas is not going to respect a ceasefire.

“When that’s the strategy and management of Hamas, there isn’t any hope {that a} full and significant ceasefire would work at this stage.”

Scottish Labour, nevertheless, backed the Scottish Authorities movement after UK Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer whipped MPs to reject ceasefire amendments in Westminster.

Scottish Labour chief Anas Sarwar mentioned “the total pressure of worldwide diplomacy should be used to create the situations to make a right away ceasefire a actuality”.

Previous to the controversy, Mr Yousaf wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, urging him to recognise Palestine inside the borders set out in 1967.

He additionally despatched an analogous letter to Sir Keir, arguing the transfer would assist to finish the “political deadlock” between Israel and Palestine.

A Overseas, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace spokesperson mentioned: “Because the Prime Minister has mentioned, we proceed to assist a simply resolution to the battle for each side and stay dedicated to a two-state resolution that protects the peace and safety of each Israelis and Palestinians, with the West Financial institution and Gaza half of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.”