Scotland says Palestine must be recognized as an independent state

LONDON: Scotland has come out strongly in support of Palestine urging the UK government to allow the country to open an embassy in London.

Scotland’s external affairs minister Humza Yousaf said, “Palestine should be recognized as an independent state, enabling it to open its own UK embassy”.

Ahead of the historic House of Commons debate on the subject and voting later today, Yousaf has urged the UK government to take action and formally recognize the state of Palestine. Currently 134 out of 193 UN member states have already given diplomatic recognition to Palestine.

In the letter to the foreign secretary Philip Hammond, Yousaf also outlined the Scottish government’s support for the opening of a Palestinian consulate in Scotland and highlighted the need for a Palestinian embassy in the UK.

Yousaf said, “The Scottish government fully endorses a two-state solution in respect of Israel and Palestine, and ahead of House of Commons debate and vote, we want to impress upon the UK government the need to recognise Palestine in its own right. I have also called for Palestinian representation in the UK to be upgraded with immediate effect to embassy level. The Scottish Government would further welcome the opening of a Palestinian consulate in Scotland. We firmly encourage both Israel and Palestine to reach a sustainable, negotiated settlement under international law, which has as its foundation mutual recognition and the determination to co-exist peacefully”.

Yousaf added, “The suffering of ordinary people who have been forced to leave their homes because of the conflict in Gaza has been truly devastating. For people in the UK whose families have been caught up in the violence recent months have been a very troubling time. It is only right that they should have an embassy to go to receive the vital support they need”.

“The Scottish government has consistently shown its support for the innocent civilians caught up in the conflict through strong and practical measures. We would welcome the opening of a Palestinian consulate in Scotland as one further practical step.

The Scottish government is already providing half a million pounds to help people affected by the crisis in Gaza.

Meanwhile British prime minister David Cameron will abstain in a parliamentary vote on recognizing Palestine as a state. Labour MP Grahame Morris is presenting the motion, which has the backing of the Labour shadow cabinet.

The vote is symbolic and would not change government policy but could have international implications… see more

source: times of india

Tags: Independence state, Palestine, Politics, Scotland

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