The SNP has urged Keir Starmer to immediately recall Westminster, warning that anything less than decisive action would make the UK complicit in what they describe as an ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The call comes after Israel’s security cabinet approved an operation to take military control of Gaza City and agreed plans for a full takeover of the territory.
SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn has written to the Prime Minister, pressing for sanctions against the Israeli Government and an urgent shift from condemnation to concrete measures.
He is calling for four immediate steps; formal recognition of the state of Palestine, a halt to all UK arms sales to Israel, direct sanctions against Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers, and the suspension of all training, logistical and military support to the Israeli Defence Forces.
“A genocide is happening before our eyes in Gaza,” said Mr Flynn.
“Words of condemnation aren’t anywhere near enough.
“If we have any hope of stopping this genocide strong actions are desperately needed, now.”
He says Westminster must act while it still has the ability to influence events.
“The UK is not powerless here,” he said.
“It remains a key partner of the Israeli Government and has been shamefully slow in even speaking out against the bombing and starvation of the civilian population of Palestine.
“It’s time for that change and it’s time for Keir Starmer to act.”
Mr Flynn’s warning follows weeks of escalating violence in Gaza and growing international concern over civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation.
He accused the UK Government and Labour leadership of standing by while Israel plans and carries out what he calls a deliberate and sustained assault on Palestinian life.
“If the international community fails to act,” he said, “we are consciously and complicitly standing idly by, allowing Benjamin Netanyahu to plan, implement and inflict an ongoing genocide in Gaza.”
The SNP insists that recognising Palestine now is essential to prevent it being “brutally wiped off the map.”
They argue that the UK’s current approach, which has so far stopped short of direct sanctions, falls far short of what is needed to exert real pressure on Israel’s leadership.
With Parliament currently in recess, recalling MPs would allow for an emergency debate and potentially a binding decision on arms exports and other measures.
The SNP believes this would send a powerful message that the UK will not provide diplomatic or military cover for actions that breach international law.
Whether or not Keir Starmer agrees to the recall could now become a test of his government’s willingness to confront one of the most urgent moral crises in modern foreign policy.
