Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 September 2019
03 Sep 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Palestine
I am sure that I would not feel threatened in attending any cross-party group. We are saying that we need to find a solution. The point that I want to make tonight is that, in debating the issue, we must at least be able to talk to each other.
When I visited Israel and the West Bank, I could speak to anyone about the situation in the region. I spoke to ordinary Jews and Palestinians, all of whom said that they want to live in peace and co-operation. I saw that co-operation in the organisation that we visited, where the Jewish manager and Palestinian deputy worked together.
We also visited the Palestinian city of Rawabi, which is being built in the West Bank. That excellent project is being funded by Palestinians, and I wish them well.
As fellow members know, my questions are often direct. I had a meeting with a senior member of the Israeli Government. When I told him directly that I support a two-nation solution, his direct answer was, “So do we, Mr Lyle.”
We also had the opportunity to visit Jerusalem, where I saw arrangements for different faiths to worship.
Claudia Beamish rose—
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S5M-16637, in the name of Claudia Beamish, on “Towards an independent Palestinian state: a...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am saddened to have to bring my motion to the chamber this afternoon, but I am relieved to have the opportunity to debate the grave situation that has been...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate Claudia Beamish, my colleague on the cross-party group on Palestine, on securing the debate and on making such a wonderful, heartfelt speech. ...
Bill Bowman (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank Claudia Beamish for the debate. I have visited Israel and the West Bank twice, most recently in summer 2018 as part of the building bridges with Isra...
Claudia Beamish
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Bill Bowman
Con
I need to get on with making my points, thank you. Six measures are mentioned in the motion, and I will attempt to touch on each of them. The first is an ...
Sandra White
SNP
Will the member give way?
Bill Bowman
Con
Not at the moment, thanks. Interruption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Sit down, please, Ms White. The member is not taking an intervention; there is no point in speaking.
Bill Bowman
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. The second measure is true freedom of worship for all believers—Jewish, Muslim and Christian—at their holy sites in Jerusalem...
Claudia Beamish
Lab
Can I make a quick intervention on that point?
Bill Bowman
Con
No—I just want to get my points made, thank you. People who care about the fundamental rights of both peoples too often ignore the human rights violations o...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The question of Palestine is the story of a people without a land—in fact, a people who were kicked out of their land in a very violent struggle. It is a sim...
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
I congratulate my friend and colleague Claudia Beamish on making an excellent speech, as ever. One phrase that I noted from it was “a just way forward”. I re...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I take grave exception to anyone saying that anyone should promote or accept violence on any side. I accept the point that you made, Mr Finnie. First, both s...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I did not want to intervene in a quite rightly emotional debate, but the word “you” is being used frequently. I let it pass a few times, but please remember ...
John Finnie
Green
Apologies, Presiding Officer. I also apologise to Mr Mountain. The paramedics who are targeted and shot in protests do not shoot at anyone, and the photogra...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I, too, am grateful to Claudia Beamish for bringing such a well-crafted motion to Parliament this afternoon. It threads the needle to allow all sides of the ...
Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)
SNP
This should not be a debate of blame because we support a position or a state, but a debate of solutions. I thank Claudia Beamish for securing tonight’s deba...
John Finnie
Green
Will the member take an intervention?
Richard Lyle
SNP
Yes. I will—if I can get my time back.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That was not a very polite request, but you will get your time back.
John Finnie
Green
I am grateful to Mr Lyle for accepting my intervention. In the normal course of things, having said what I said about dialogue, I would say yes to his reques...
Richard Lyle
SNP
I am sure that I would not feel threatened in attending any cross-party group. We are saying that we need to find a solution. The point that I want to make t...
Richard Lyle
SNP
There should be true freedom of worship for all believers—Jewish, Muslim and Christians—at their holy sites. Israel has accepted UN Security Council resolut...
Sandra White
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Richard Lyle
SNP
Recognising a Palestinian state without that arising from direct negotiations between the two parties will harm the peace process and drive the Palestinians ...
Sandra White
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Richard Lyle
SNP
No—I have something to say and I want to say it.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Please sit down, Ms White.