Scotland says Israel committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza, urges UK to end arms sales

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney says Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, urging the UK government to end all arms sales to the regime, as the Israeli military is poised to launch an all-out aggression on Gaza City. 

“Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, and the ground invasion of Gaza City only intensifies it,” Swinney wrote on X on Thursday.

“The world cannot look away. We need serious and urgent action to put a stop to this. The UK Government must recall Parliament, sanction Israel, and end all arms sales now,” he added.

His remarks come as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to authorize a military invasion of Gaza City, a move that would forcibly displace nearly one million Palestinians and bring systematic destruction to homes in the Palestinian territory. Israeli tanks have already edged closer to the city, driving thousands from their homes amid heavy bombardment.

Since October 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 62,120 Palestinians and wounded more than 156,000, the majority women and children. Israel has also sealed all border crossings, cutting off aid and worsening the humanitarian situation.

Despite international warnings, Netanyahu—who is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Gaza—told Israeli soldiers on Thursday he remains determined to press ahead with the assault on Gaza City while restarting talks with Hamas “on terms acceptable to Israel.”

As Israeli forces creep up on Gaza City, Hamas warns: ‘Occupation won’t achieve its objectives’

Israeli forces deploy on the outskirts of Gaza City in preparation for its occupation, but Hamas warns that Tel Aviv would fall short of realizing its ambitions.

Meanwhile, former First Minister Humza Yousaf echoed Swinney’s call for sanctions, comparing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to South African apartheid.

“Under Netanyahu Israel has become a rogue nation that breaches international law with impunity. Words of condemnation won't cut it, we need meaningful sanctions, and a policy of isolation until Israel changes course,” Yousaf wrote on X on Thursday

In an opinion piece for The House published the same day, Yousaf went further: “There is no doubt in my mind that the UK Government is utterly complicit in the genocide in Gaza, and must take action to ensure no further complicity.”

Yousaf argued that Israel should be confronted in the same way as apartheid South Africa, recalling how many states once imposed trade bans and blocked investment to force change. “Today, Palestinians are asking us to demand that our own governments do the same.”

UK set to sign $2.69bn contract with Israel's Elbit to train British soldiers

Elbit has played a major role in supplying Israel with weaponry for its ongoing aggression against Palestinians in Gaza.

Yet the UK appears set on deepening military ties with Israel. According to Private Eye, Britain is close to signing a £2 billion contract with Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer and a major supplier of drones and land-based equipment used in the Gaza war.

The deal would make Elbit a “strategic partner” of the Ministry of Defence, responsible for training up to 60,000 British soldiers annually. The company already holds a £57 million UK contract for simulation-based training of tank crews.

Elbit has profited heavily from Israel’s war on Gaza, according to Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, who described the war as “a profitable venture” for Israeli arms firms.

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