Statement from the Excutive Scottish Independence Convention on the ongoing genocide in Palestine
The Scottish Independence Convention is calling on every pro-independence political party to: wholly condemn the State of Israel (not the nation) for its atrocities against the Palestinian people, in the strongest possible terms; take every action possible to inhibit those atrocities from continuing; commit to sanctioning Israel where possible and to pushing all Scottish business and suppliers to divest from Israeli products; call for Israeli exclusion from international and cultural events like football championships and Eurovision; divest our Government and local authorities from any pension schemes, companies or organisations who have links to arming Israel while taking every action possible to ensure non-government bodies within Scotland divest; commit to doing all within their power to uphold international law and to arresting anyone suspected of war crimes that steps on Scottish soil; support and promote the key organisations and the United Nations offering aid to the Palestinian people; demand that the UK Government do the same, sanction Israel, end any complicity and end all arms trading with Israel without exception.
We demand that the above commitments remain in place until: a permanent treaty for peace is established; international law is respected; the apartheid in Israel to the detriment of Palestinians has ended; Palestine is formally recognised by Israel and the international community as a free and independent nation state.
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Above are the demands of the Scottish Independence Convention for every pro-independence political party in Scotland. The Scottish Independence Convention urge the above commitments to be immediate and for action to be swift.
The offer to sign up in acceptance will first be put to all the leaders of the major pro-independence political parties with elected representatives. If they ignore or refuse to sign we will put it to the next most senior person in the party and so on, so forth.
Any political party, party leader, MSP or MP who signs up will be commended for their humanity.
We would urge any political party, party leader, MSP or MP who does not wish to sign it to consider the upcoming election in 2026 and their responsibility to the movement who elected them.
I support the above calls for action on behalf of myself/party/government
Signed:
Kenny MacAskill on behalf of The Alba Party
Lorna Slater MSP & Patrick Harvie MSP on behalf of the Scottish Green Party
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Why is the demand to just pro-independence parties?
This demand is not limited to Scotland’s pro-independence parties. We would hope and expect that all those concerned with justice and humanity take the above actions. However, as a pro-independence umbrella organisation we have this important responsibility to keep our movement and the parties we elect, who claim to represent our country, on the right side of history.
What difference can Scotland make? Why would these actions be effective?
Every nation and Government that show solidarity to the people of Palestine and is vocal in its condemnation of Israel helps to swing the scale towards a lasting peace. Tens of thousands of innocent children, men and women have been deliberately killed with millions being maimed, displaced and starved by Israel. Much of the Western media and many Western Governments have ignored the truth and the severity of the crimes by Netanyahu’s Government, and his predecessors, in Gaza and the West Bank for decades.
Taking every action and making every possible commitment outlined in our letter – economically and culturally – will add to pressure from around the world for humanity, justice and for peace to prevail. Those in public office, or those who aspire to it, should make every economic intervention possible to aid the children and people of Palestine.
If they are not doing everything they can, they are not doing enough.
This isn’t about Scottish Independence – why are you calling for this?
Scotland is a nation and we aspire for it to have an international voice, and to contribute to the United Nations of this planet we all share. It is important that Scotland uses its voice and power, for morality and humanity, wherever possible, to show who we can be as a people and then, as an equal nation of this world when we do achieve independence.
While we wish for it not to have been the case, the Westminster (Tory and Labour) Government’s actions and inaction have been appalling and inhumane. We aspire for Scotland to be better. It is first and foremost essential that the UK Government take these actions too – and that the pro-independence parties unite around these actions to pressure them to do more.
Of course, if the UK Government continues in its complicity of war crimes, its denial of real support for the Palestinian people (despite its apparent influence) the humanity and action of our pro-independence parties would serve as a powerful contrast in the upcoming 2026 Holyrood election. This should be a common sense and moral call for all right-minded independence supporters, organisations and parties to unite on.