The snp will seek to "move the gaza ceasefire debate forward"
this week - pressing the uk parliament to "back concrete actions
to actually achieve an immediate ceasefire".
After a week of chaos in westminster, which saw the uk parliament
block a vote on the snp's immediate ceasefire motion, stephen
flynn mp wants to "refocus the discussion away from the
westminster circus and onto what really matters - doing
everything we can to secure an immediate ceasefire in gaza and
israel".
The snp westminster leader will take the speaker up on his offer
to allow a meaningful vote on a fresh snp ceasefire motion, and
intends to table a motion setting out concrete steps the uk
government can take to achieve an immediate ceasefire.
The snp will publish the details of the motion, with
concrete actions, following discussions with the speaker on the
specific terms of a debate and vote - to ensure its meaningful.
Among the concrete actions will be those the uk can take as
part of the un security council.
Commenting, snp westminster leader stephen flynn mp said:
"after a shameful week of westminster chaos, the snp will
move the debate forward and press the uk parliament to back
concrete actions to secure an immediate ceasefire.
"more than 29,000 palestinian children, women and men have been
killed, huge swathes of gaza have been obliterated, and the
population faces a worsening humanitarian crisis. The snp
will seek to refocus the discussion away from the westminster
circus and onto what really matters - doing everything we can to
actually secure an immediate ceasefire in gaza and israel.
"while the appalling spectacle at westminster has been deeply
unedifying, some progress has been made. Public and snp pressure
has forced the next prime minister, sir keir starmer, into a
u-turn - now we need to work together to force the uk government
to change its position too.
"the snp's calls for the uk to back an immediate ceasefire have
never just been about the symbolism of having a strong and clear
position against the hostilities - they have always been about
forcing the uk government to use every lever it has to
achieve an immediate ceasefire.
"as a key ally of israel and the united states, and as a
permanent member of the un security council, the uk is not - and
must not - be a spectator on the sidelines. Instead it must
finally join with the un, and the majority of the international
community, in backing an immediate ceasefire - and take concrete
steps to secure one using the range of influence at its
disposal.
"the uk has a moral duty to act - to save lives, prevent the
collective punishment of the palestinian people, secure the
release of the hostages, and do everything we can to make a
peaceful two state solution a reality rather than an increasingly
distant pipedream."
