Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 21 November 2023
21 Nov 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Situation in the Middle East
If what Jackson Carlaw suggests is the case, why would that stop us calling for an immediate ceasefire? I understand the point that he makes. I think that Anas Sarwar made points about statements from Benjamin Netanyahu that cast doubt on whether he is keen on a ceasefire, as well. That should not stop us from saying that this is wrong, that the people who are being killed just now are innocent people and that it should stop. It should not be conditional—it should stop now. Of course, I also believe that the hostages should be returned immediately: that is only right.
There is not a war in history that I can bring to mind that has not ended with a treaty.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
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The First Minister (Humza Yousaf)
SNP
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Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
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Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
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Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I thank front-bench members for the consensual tone that they have sought to strike on this important day. I offer the congratulations and thanks of the Libe...
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green)
Green
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The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the open debate. 15:33
Kaukab Stewart (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
Six weeks ago, we watched in horror as Hamas terrorists undertook a brutal and unforgiving attack on peaceful and innocent civilians in Israel. We cannot and...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
More than 200 people—Israelis and non-Israelis, babies, women, the elderly, civilians and soldiers—were taken captive by Hamas on 7 October and taken by forc...
Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
SNP
Along with others, I put on record my condemnation of the horrific, inhumane terrorist attack on Israelis that was carried out by Hamas on 7 October. The hor...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I dearly hope that there can be agreement among political parties today to unite behind an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It is that action that will show the ...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
On 7 October, the world was shocked by the news of a devastating terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, where more than 1,000 innocent civilians were killed. M...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
As a doctor and as the father of two young children, I am deeply shocked by the suffering of all innocents caught up in the violent chaos engulfing Israel an...
Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
SNP
I associate myself with many remarks that have been made by members from across the chamber. I agree with many of the points that have been made and will try...
Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Con)
Con
Will the member give way?
Keith Brown
SNP
If I can just finish making this point, I will give way to Jackson Carlaw. When both sides agree to a ceasefire, it can often be the case that one side gain...
Jackson Carlaw
Con
I think that the answer to Mr Brown’s point is that, given that Hamas has said that it will not observe a ceasefire, there is a belief by Israel that today’s...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I can give you the time back.
Keith Brown
SNP
If what Jackson Carlaw suggests is the case, why would that stop us calling for an immediate ceasefire? I understand the point that he makes. I think that An...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
The point that I wanted to make to Dr Gulhane, if he had given way, was that, regrettably, what the Conservative amendment would delete from the motion is th...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Again, I can give you the time back.
Keith Brown
SNP
I agree with that point. It would be very powerful if this Parliament were to agree and say with one voice that, regardless of our doubts about the good fait...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am glad that we have this opportunity to properly debate and vote on one of the most critical issues facing the world today—an issue that, for millions of ...
The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development (Christina McKelvie)
SNP
Over the weekend, António Guterres, the UN’s secretary general, said: “The war in the Middle East is having a staggering and unacceptable number of ... casu...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back for the intervention, Ms Mochan.
Carol Mochan
Lab
I thank the minister for her intervention. Scottish Labour has been very clear that we support an immediate ceasefire. This is one of the darkest and most d...
Ivan McKee (Glasgow Provan) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the Parliament’s having the opportunity to debate and vote on this critical matter. There are people who say that whatever we say or however we vo...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The member makes an important point. Does he recognise that it is strategically counterproductive to further entrench disproportionate violence in the occupi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Ivan McKee, I can give you the time back.
Ivan McKee
SNP
I agree whole-heartedly with Paul Sweeney on that point; the actions of the Israeli Government are, indeed, counterproductive. In conclusion, instead of ge...