John Swinney urges further action after Palestine state recognition

John Swinney has welcomed the UK’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine, but has urged the Government to take further action.

The UK Government formally recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday.

The First Minister said the decision was overdue and urged the Government to impose more sanctions on members of the Israeli Government, pull out of the free trade deal with the country and end all military cooperation with Israel.

“[Formal recognition] has to be the start of a whole range of steps taken,” Swinney said.

“Such as additional sanctions on Israel, banning goods coming from occupied territories, and ensuring absolutely no arms sales to Israel, so that the people of Palestine can be protected and begin to rebuild their lives.”

The move comes after the UN commission said it had reasonable grounds to conclude Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza.

More than 140 countries have already recognised a Palestinian state and more are expected to do so at the U.N. General Assembly this week, including Australia, Canada and France.

Speaking after a ceremony at the Palestinian Mission in London on Monday, Swinney said the recognition from the UK Government was a “landmark day”.

“I very much welcome this development, it is long overdue,” he said.

“Scotland has been a strong supporter of self-determination for the Palestinian people and given the suffering and the genocide being committed against them, it was so important that Scotland is represented here.”

Swinney urged the UK Government to take further action to accelerate peace talks, “including continuing to call for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of free-flowing aid”.

“A two-state solution is the only option that can provide peace, prosperity and security for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel,” Swinney said.

“Hamas must play no role in the future of the Palestinian state. I have consistently and unequivocally condemned the brutal terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in October 2023, and I join the international community in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

“Scotland stands with the people of Palestine, and everyone in the region who yearns for peace, and I will continue to do all that I can to support those suffering in Gaza and the West Bank.”

Israeli bombardment over the past 23 months has killed more than 65,000 people in Gaza, destroyed vast areas of the strip, displaced around 90% of the population and caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with experts saying Gaza City is experiencing famine.