Israel-Palestine: humane Scotland, involved Plaid Cymru

Margaret sends news that Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams has urged the UK Government to enforce an immediate arms embargo against Israel to stop the flow of weapons which are being used against civilians. Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams urges an immediate arms embargo Scottish Minister Humza Yousaf tells Home Secretary Theresa May that Scotland would be willing to take in Palestinian refugees.

The Daily Wales reports that Mr Williams, wrote to newly-appointed Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond last week, calling for action to address the crisis in Gaza, and saying that international institutions and governments should do more to hold Israel to account over its actions.

In addition to the arms embargo he stressed the importance of strong UN calls for a ceasefire, and the lifting of the blockade to allow humanitarian aid to reach the increasing numbers of refugees and wounded.

Mr Williams continued:

“I urge the UK Government to enforce an immediate arms embargo against Israel. The uncomfortable truth is that while we continue to supply them with weapons, we are complicit in the killing.

“The UN must also do more to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and impose sanctions on those unwilling to comply. The UN should also demand access to the conflict zone in order to determine whether any international laws have been violated.

“The plight of Palestinian refugees must take priority and Israel’s blockade and Egyptian restrictions should be lifted in order to allow aid workers and supplies into the region.

“UN figures show that nearly 90,000 people have now been displaced in Gaza and that the number is “rising all the time”.

“Last week the Scottish Government’s External Affairs Minister, Humza Yousaf, wrote to UK Home Secretary Theresa May saying that Scotland would be willing to take in Palestinian refugees. I believe the Welsh government should act likewise. I hope the Home Secretary takes up this offer without delay and that the UK Government takes the action that it can against those responsible for the suffering.”

Earlier, IMEMC reminded us that sixty-four public figures, including seven Nobel Peace Prize winners, published a letter in the Guardian newspaper calling for an international arms embargo on Israel for its “war crimes and possible crimes against humanity” in Gaza.

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