Scottish Government stops support for defence companies involved with Israel

The Scottish Government has announced it will halt new awards of public money to defence companies involved with Israel.

The announcement is part of a package of new economic, humanitarian and diplomatic measures in response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Citing a death toll of 63,000 First Minister John Swinney expressed his concern over an unfolding genocide in Gaza.

As part of the new measures, new awards of public money will be paused to defence companies whose products or services are provided to countries where there is plausible evidence of genocide being committed by that country, including Israel.

Relevant delivery bodies such as Scottish Enterprise will be instructed, where possible, to not provide support for trade between Scotland and Israel.

£400,000 will be provided to Kids Operating Room to establish the Gaza HOPES Field Readiness Hub – a rapidly deployable hospital in Gaza to provide essential surgical, maternity and paediatric services.

£600,000 will also go to the UNOCHA led Humanitarian Fund for the Occupied Palestinian Territories to provide life-saving health services, food and nutrition assistance, emergency shelter, water and sanitation, protection services, education support and cash for families.

Furthermore, the First Minister has called on the UK Government to recognise the State of Palestine, withdraw from the existing Free Trade Agreement with Israel, end all military cooperation with Israel while the war continues, and prohibit the import of goods produced in illegal settlements.

Swinney said: "The situation in Gaza is a man-made humanitarian catastrophe. We must confront this crisis with urgency, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to accountability.

“This Government has consistently and unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas. We have joined the international community in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

“But I share the concerns of other countries and international leaders that a genocide appears to be unfolding in Gaza.  The legal determination of genocide is the responsibility of international courts. But, governments must act now."

Swinney continued: "In the face of genocide, there can be no ‘business as usual'"