Scottish MPs Join Global Call for End to Israeli Arms Exports

Scottish National Party (SNP) MPs have joined a global coalition of over 200 parliamentarians from 13 countries that export arms or weapons parts to Israel. These lawmakers have signed a letter from Progressive International (PI) calling for an immediate end to such exports, stating they will not be complicit in Israel’s alleged violations of international law.

The letter emphasizes that an arms embargo has transitioned from a moral necessity to a legal requirement following an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Genocide Convention case against Israel. The ICJ ordered Israel to stop actions that could lead to the physical destruction of Palestinians, a directive that Israel has reportedly ignored.

Among the signatories are SNP MPs David Linden, Tommy Sheppard, and Philippa Whitford, alongside Labour MPs Clive Lewis, Apsana Begum, and Sam Tarry. The letter includes representatives from the United States, Germany, Canada, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Australia, Turkey, Portugal, and Ireland.

The letter asserts that lethal weapons made or shipped through these countries are aiding Israel’s assault on Palestine, which has resulted in over 30,000 deaths in Gaza and the West Bank. It calls for immediate and coordinated legislative action to halt arms exports to Israel.

In late February, the UK government declined to comment after UN experts urged an immediate halt to arms exports to Israel. The experts warned that individual officials could face prosecution for aiding and abetting war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide through such exports.

The letter underscores the urgency of the situation, citing the planned assault on Rafah by Israel, which the United Nations Secretary-General has warned would significantly worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The signatories are taking a stand to prevent their nations from arming Israel.

Source: Read the original report