First Minister John Swinney has condemned Israel’s latest military action in Gaza as an “outrageous and unacceptable escalation” and urged immediate international intervention to end the assault.
Speaking in response to the launch of a ground offensive in Gaza City, the First Minister said the situation demands serious and urgent action from the global community.
“This latest action by Israel is an outrageous and unacceptable escalation,” he said.
“It must be a further wake-up call to the international community.”
He said there could be no ambiguity about the consequences of the Israeli government’s decisions.
“Let us be clear in what the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will cause today,” said Mr Swinney.
“More innocent Palestinians are going to die, what was already an intolerable level of human suffering will get worse, and we are getting even further away from securing a peace.”
He repeated the Scottish Government’s grave concerns that Israel’s actions in Gaza may amount to genocide under international law.
“Today’s offensive is only going to intensify the suffering we are seeing,” he said.
“The international community cannot look away from this.”
“There must be a concerted global effort to put a stop to Israel’s action, secure a ceasefire and hold Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government to account.”
Mr Swinney also called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to act swiftly and decisively by recalling the UK Parliament to consider the strongest available sanctions.
“Prime Minister Keir Starmer needs to recall the UK Parliament immediately so the toughest and most severe sanctions available can be imposed on Israel,” he said.
He added that all UK arms sales to Israel must come to an immediate end.
“Every ounce of international influence the UK may have must be used towards putting an end to Israel’s assault.”
The First Minister’s statement is the latest in a growing chorus of international voices demanding accountability, restraint and a path towards peace.
As images of devastation continue to emerge from Gaza, pressure is building for global leaders to not only condemn the violence, but take tangible steps to halt it.
For Mr Swinney, that responsibility lies not just with the international community at large, but with the UK Government in particular.
The message is unambiguous.
Words are not enough.
Now is the moment for action.
