The First Minister of Scotland has welcomed the UK Government’s pledge to recognise the State of Palestine but insists the move must be unconditional and irreversible.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the UK intends to bring forward recognition of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
His statement links recognition to an immediate ceasefire and a commitment from Israel to work towards a lasting two‑state solution, alongside guarantees that there will be no further annexation of the West Bank.
First Minister John Swinney said recognition cannot come with caveats.
He called on the UK Government to follow through with decisive action, including sanctions against Israel should the violence continue.
“Having called on the UK Government to recognise the State of Palestine, I welcome the intent behind this announcement,” he said.
“However, recognition of a Palestinian state should be irreversible.
“Recognition must not be conditional and must be backed by sanctions against Israel if the violence continues.”
The First Minister condemned the rising death toll in Gaza, which has now passed 60,000 lives lost.
He said the number represented a horrific milestone that should shame the international community.
“Israel must agree to a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid to flow in much more volume to address the starvation being faced in Gaza,” he added.
“A two‑state solution is the only way that the Palestinian and Israeli peoples can have a future, living side‑by‑side in peace and security.
“The Palestinian people deserve no less.”
Scottish Greens co‑leader Patrick Harvie also responded to the announcement, describing recognition as long overdue.
He said any conditions attached to statehood were an insult to the Palestinian people’s right to self‑determination.
“Recognition of Palestine is decades overdue, and should not be conditional,” Mr Harvie said.
“It implies that if Israel agrees to pause the atrocities it’s committing, then the UK will in fact not join the majority of the world in recognising Palestine.
“This is an insult to the Palestinians’ right to self determination.”
Mr Harvie described the suffering in Gaza as among the worst war crimes recorded in recent history.
He accused the UK Government of failing to act decisively to end the slaughter, halt arms sales and support accountability at the International Criminal Court.
Both the Scottish Government and Scottish Greens have urged Westminster to recognise Palestine immediately and without conditions, while calling for urgent international action to secure a ceasefire and bring humanitarian aid to those most in need.
