THE UK must vote for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza when a resolution appears before the UN Security Council on Friday, the SNP have insisted.
The US-sponsored resolution declares that “an immediate and sustained ceasefire” in Gaza is “imperative” to protect civilians and enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than two million hungry Palestinians.
The US has vetoed three resolutions calling for a ceasefire in recent months, objecting as recently as February to the use of the term “immediate” in a draft submitted by Algeria.
A cessation of hostilities is described as "imperative" for protecting civilians and enabling humanitarian aid to reach more than two million Palestinians.
The UK is now being urged to quit being "complicit" and back the resolution.
The SNP has said any refusal to do so would be "another tacit endorsement" of the "collective punishment" of Palestinians.
READ MORE: Jeremy Corbyn: Scottish Government's Gaza stance 'very helpful'
Stephen Flynn, the party's Westminster leader, said: “While the UK Government has pontificated and delayed, innocent men, women and children have been shot, bombed, and starved to death in a war that could have ended long ago with the right international pressure.
“The UK Government has been complicit for far too long in the suffering Palestinians have faced and it must vote for an immediate ceasefire later today.
“Any refusal to do so would be another tacit endorsement of the collective punishment and devastation being levelled against the Palestinian people - we have a moral and humanitarian obligation to do whatever we can to help end the bloodshed and secure a lasting peace.
“No more innocent civilians should have to die or face extreme suffering before this UK Government sees sense and finally acts on its responsibility to help secure a lasting peace.
“Both SNP and public pressure has forced the Labour party to change their position on this matter and it is time the UK Government followed suit."
US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has expressed optimism that the 15-member council will approve the resolution.
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