Statements about Angus Robertson’s meeting are too little, too late

There has been too much innocent death, destruction and totally inexcusable acts of genocide to date. The Israeli state, as opposed to its citizens, has sadly evolved into something approaching an apartheid regime which includes the ongoing theft of Palestinian land and homes on the West Bank, illegal occupation and settler violence. In any case, who is to determine what constitutes progress? That simply cannot be left to the judgment of Netanyahu, who should be facing an international tribunal for war crimes.

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There is so much destruction of homes, lives, cultural assets and the environment that is beyond comprehension, never mind restoration cost. Massive humanitarian aid is going to be required in the short- and long-term and should go to a legally recognised Palestinian state. That should be the foundation of diplomacy and soft power, with substantial restitution costs being made by Israel as part of any solution.

Alasdair Nicholson
Isle of Lewis

LAST week, while Israel was raping Palestinian prisoners and butchering children in Gaza, Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, was meeting with Israel’s Deputy ambassador to the UK.

I was surprised to encounter Mr Robertson on Thursday evening as I walked home from the Usher Hall. I called out to him, “For shame, meeting with the Israeli deputy ambassador – for shame!” A smiling Robertson kept walking, surrounded by his entourage, presumably on his way to a festival event.

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According to Israeli deputy ambassador Grudsky, she and Robertson discussed the return of the Israeli hostages and cooperation between Scotland and Israel on renewable energy, technology and culture.

Why on earth did Robertson agree to meet with an official from a state that is committing a genocide?

Israel’s criminal actions have been condemned by most of world’s nations apart from the US, UK and EU. The ICJ, the world’s highest court, last month ruled that its 57-year-long occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal under international law, ordering it to remove all Israeli settlers and pay restitution to Palestinians.

How does having relations with an international pariah state advance Scotland’s interests or enhance its image?

Here’s an idea. Rather than cavorting with war criminals, why doesn’t the SNP administration focus on restoring Scotland’s sovereignty so that, as an independent state, it can conduct its own foreign policy rather than meekly follow that of a corrupt UK?

Leah Gunn Barrett
Edinburgh

AS Angus Robertson has pointed out, countries across Europe have been engaging with the Israeli diplomatic presence in their countries, all taking the opportunity to pass on the same message about a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. This, as was also pointed out, is the norm for diplomatic engagement.

Is this not another SNP Scottish Government witch-hunt issue that has been blown out of proportion by political opportunists in order to damage the SNP and damage and divide the indy movement?

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Have all the countries that engaged with their respective Israeli diplomats had such a kick-back from within their countries? Possibly they saw it as a positive move: do something, anything, rather than sit back and watch the horror unfold?

If the SNP are to take the blame for anything, it is for trying to act normally in an environment where everything they do is immediately examined to see what negativity can be extracted from it and inflated into a disaster of biblical proportions.

One of the big successes of the British state's intense and pervasive campaign to slow the growth in support for independence, and divide the indy movement, has been to shift responsibility for the damage their campaign has caused onto the SNP.

If we want to grow support for independence, indy supporters need to stop engaging with the narratives that the Unionists and political opportunists are spoon-feeding them. Why is EVERYTHING an SNP-bad story?

Alistair Potter
via thenational.scot

IN this US presidential election year it is probably useful to focus on how reliant Britain’s nuclear weapons are on the US – given that whoever is successful in that election is unlikely to support the sensible idea of ridding our world of nuclear weapons.

Back in 1958 the US and the UK signed a Mutual Defence Agreement under which both countries agreed to exchange information to develop their respective nuclear weapons systems.

As a development from this treaty the UK nuclear weapons system is now highly reliant on the US.

As the late John Ainslie of Scottish CND pointed out, the missiles for Britain’s Trident nuclear weapons system are leased from the US Navy.

Mr Ainslie also revealed that all of the equipment required to launch the missiles and the computer software to target them is bought from the United States.

So although the nuclear warheads for the system are built in Britain, key components are bought from the US.

Britain’s nuclear bombs have also been assigned to the US-led Nato alliance since the 1960s.

I think given this close relationship it is inconceivable that without approval from Washington the UK could actually use its nuclear weapons system.

So much for the idea of an independent nuclear weapons system.

Arthur West
Scottish Peace Network