Scottish government suspends meetings with Israel

The Scottish government has announced it will no longer hold meetings with Israeli ambassadors until “real progress has been made towards peace” in the Gaza conflict.

The move comes after the SNP administration faced criticism over a meeting earlier this month between External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson and Daniela Grudsky, Israel’s deputy ambassador to the UK.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Robertson apologised that the meeting was not “strictly limited” to talks about a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

He claimed the meeting with the new ambassador was made at Israel’s request, which gave the Scottish government an opportunity to express its “clear and unwavering position on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza”.

“And I did exactly that,” Mr Robertson added.

“No one intended that this meeting be presented as legitimatising the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza.”

Mr Robinson said the Scottish government had been “consistent in our unequivocal condemnation of the atrocities we have witnessed in Gaza”.

“The reality, however, is that this meeting has been taken by many to represent a normalisation of relations between the Israeli and Scottish governments,” he added.

The Edinburgh Central MSP said the meeting should have been “strictly limited to the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the appalling loss of life in the region”, and he apologised that did not happen.

The minister said that having told the Israeli government “of our position on an immediate ceasefire, it would not be appropriate to accept any invitation for a further meeting”.

He added: “This will remain our position until such time as real progress has been made towards peace, unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance is provided and Israel cooperates fully with its international obligations on the investigation of genocide and war crimes.

“The Scottish government will never hold back in expressing support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, an end to UK arms being sent to Israel, and the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state within a two-state solution.”

The meeting with Ms Grudsky, which was held two weeks ago, only came to light after she posted a picture on X alongside Mr Robertson.

In response to criticism, First Minister John Swinney claimed it was “necessary” and allowed his government to directly put across the need for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.

This article was originally published by Sky.com. Read the original article here.