The SNP has said "Westminster is failing the people of Gaza by
blocking a vote on the urgent actions the UK government must take
to help make an immediate ceasefire happen" - after the Speaker
blocked an emergency SNP motion calling for tangible
measures.
It comes after the SNP tabled a fresh motion for an emergency
debate so the UK Parliament could vote for an
immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, and mandate the UK
government to take concrete steps to help make a ceasefire
happen, including using its position on the UN security council
to push for, and vote for, an immediate ceasefire, and
immediately halting the transfers of military equipment and
technology, including components, to Israel, and to suspend the
issuing of new licences - in line with UN calls for an arms
embargo.
Last Thursday, the Speaker made an apology, and public commitment
in the Commons that the SNP could have an SO24 emergency
debate, after the SNP opposition day was wrecked, following a
decision by the Speaker to break the rules of the House of
Commons after a private meeting with .
Ahead of making the application for an emergency debate, the SNP
wrote to all party leaders offering a meeting to discuss the
contents of the SNP motion. was the only opposition leader
who didn't respond. Nonetheless, the SNP included language from
the Labour Party's amendment to maximise consensus.
Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader said:
"Yet again, Westminster is failing the people of Gaza by blocking
a vote on the urgent action the UK government must take
to help make an immediate ceasefire happen.
"For months, the UK parliament has blocked SNP calls for an
immediate ceasefire - and now it's blocking a vote on the
concrete actions the UK government must pursue to make an
immediate ceasefire more likely.
"The UK is a key ally and defence trading partner of Israel and
the United States, and a permanent member of the UN security
council. It is not a powerless spectator - and Parliament has a
moral duty to ensure the UK government is doing everything it
can.
"Around 30,000 Palestinian children, women and men have been
killed while Westminster has dithered and delayed - and huge
swathes of Gaza have been obliterated. The UK's strategy of
equivocation has failed.
"If the debate in Westminster is to be anything other than
meaningless, it's essential that warm words on an immediate
ceasefire are backed up with concrete action - specific,
practical tangible measures.
"I urge and to work with us to ensure
Parliament can mandate the UK government to pull every lever to
help secure an immediate ceasefire, and lasting peace through a
two state solution.
"Finally, it's regrettable that this inexplicable decision will
further erode trust in the Speaker. The Speaker broke the rules
last week - and this week he has broken his word. How can MPs
have any trust in the Speaker when he makes a public commitment
one minute, only to rip it up the next. If 30,000 dead
Palestinians aren't worthy of an emergency debate - what is?"
ENDS
Notes for editors:
Copy of the SNP SO24 emergency debate motion:
Standing Order 24
That this House officially reaffirms its position, as of 21st
February 2024, to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and
Israel; further reaffirms its horror at the October 7th 2023
terrorist attacks by Hamas and the subsequent collective
punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza; demands the release
of all hostages taken by Hamas; condemns any military assault on
the 1.5 million refugees sheltering in Rafah; further demands the
Government immediately halts all transfers of military equipment
and technology, including components, to Israel, and to suspend
the issuing of new licences; calls on the international community
to ensure the rapid and unimpeded humanitarian relief is provided
in Gaza; further calls for an end to settlement expansion and
violence; urges Israel to comply with the International Court of
Justice’s provisional measures; and urges all international
partners to work together to establish a diplomatic process to
deliver the peace of a two-state solution; recognises that
statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and
not in the gift of any neighbour; instructs the Government to
vote for an immediate ceasefire, or wording with that effect,
during the next relevant motion brought before the United Nations
Security Council.
