LABOUR MSPs have supported a call by the Scottish Greens for a ceasefire in Gaza as tensions in their party continue to grow over the issue.
A total of nine MSPs – including prominent names such as former party leader Richard Leonard, Pauline McNeill and Monica Lennon – have so far backed a Holyrood motion put forward by Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer.
The motion states that “the Parliament supports the United Nations Secretary General's calls for a ceasefire in Gaza”.
It comes as Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie has accused the SNP of “game playing” over Gaza – while UK Labour leader Keir Starmer comes under growing pressure to change his stance calling for a humanitarian pause and back a ceasefire.
READ MORE: Scottish Parliament motions tabled calling for ceasefire in Gaza
In an interview on BBC Good Morning Scotland, Baillie said the position of Anas Sarwar was “clear” in calling for a ceasefire – but repeatedly refused to say how she expected her party’s two Scottish MPs to potentially vote on the issue in the Commons.
The motion put forward by Greer has been backed by Labour MSPs Lennon, Leonard, McNeill, Katy Clark, Carol Mochan, Alex Rowley, Paul Sweeney, Foysol Choudhury, and Mercedes Villalba.
It has also received support from 30 SNP and Green politicians so far, including former first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
READ MORE: SNP call for ceasefire in Gaza in fresh Scottish Parliament motion
Meanwhile another motion put forward by SNP MSP Kaukab Stewart has attracted cross-party support from more than 20 MSPs, including Labour’s Clark.
The motion states that Parliament notes the calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, “deplores all violence in the region” and “notes the calls on the UK Government … to do its part in working with other UN nations to demand an end to deadly military action in Gaza and to bring to justice those responsible for the terror attacks suffered by Israel".
A third motion lodged today by Alba MSP Ash Regan on the same issue has so far been backed by five SNP MSPs – Stephanie Callaghan, Christine Grahame, Bill Kidd, Ruth Maguire and Ivan McKee.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel