Hansard

I thank my colleague Humza Yousaf for securing this incredibly important debate. Throughout his time as an MSP, Humza Yousaf has shown unwavering support for the Palestinian people and, as First Minister, he showed immense leadership on the matter, and I commend him for that. At a time when other party leaders were running a mile from the issue, at best, or tolerating genocide and war crimes, at worst, he was on the right side of history, and he will be remembered for that.

For decades, the Palestinian people have endured prolonged conflict and illegal occupation, which have caused immense suffering and an ever-rising death toll. The lack of recognition of Palestinian statehood, despite what some might argue, has resulted in continued violence and impedes the chance of lasting peace.

Recognition of the state of Palestine acknowledges that Palestinians have the right to self-determination and the right to build a future free from occupation and oppression. The prospect of lasting peace has never been more in peril, so we must act urgently. We must secure recognition of the state of Palestine, an immediate ceasefire, an end to arms sales to Israel and the immediate release of all hostages. Immediate recognition by the UK Government would send a powerful message that we support peace and want an end to the massacre of Palestinian people.

Some people attempt to argue that recognition of the state of Palestine could undermine the peace process but, clearly, the status quo has not worked; it has only perpetuated the cycle of violence, and who are we to deny freedom to the Palestinians and condemn them to continued illegal occupation? If we believe that a two-state solution is viable, in order to get it, we must recognise the state of Palestine and allow it to co-exist with Israel.

It is our duty as MSPs to speak up against injustice and oppression and to call for action. I thank the Labour MSPs who have signed today’s motion, especially as, unfortunately, it contradicts Labour’s Westminster policy, which will prevail in government.

Lip service from the Tories and Labour does not cut it, and their silence has contributed to the deaths of many innocent Palestinians, including thousands of children and women. We in the SNP are clear on our stance on that. The next UK Government must recognise the state of Palestine as a matter of urgency. If it refuses to do so, the SNP will force a vote on the matter in Westminster. Instead of the need for that, we are calling on the next UK Government to follow in the footsteps of our neighbours in Ireland, Spain and Norway. The approach of our neighbouring countries is putting pressure on the Israeli Government, but we know that, unless the UK and the US announce their support for Palestinian statehood, little will change.

Recognition of the state of Palestine is in the interests of everyone, and it is necessary for lasting peace. The Palestinian and Israeli people deserve to live long, happy and peaceful lives free of continuous fear and violence. That should not be an extreme request.

The Irish Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, put it quite simply. He said:

“What the people of Palestine ask of us is not outrageous or extravagant. If anything, it is modest. The wish to be recognised as a State like any other, to control their own affairs and to speak for themselves on the international stage.”

It is that simple. Therefore, let us be on the right side of history today. Every one of us here today has a responsibility to urge the next UK Government to recognise the state of Palestine in order to bring about lasting peace and an end to the massacre.