In a groundbreaking move, the Scottish Parliament voted to impose a complete boycott of Israel and its companies related to its military operations.
The Green-led amendment passed 62-31 with 21 abstentions, urged both Scottish and British governments to enact boycotts, sells and sanctions against entities that contributed to what the minister called Gaza’s “genocide.”
John Swinney’s first minister confirmed that Scotland will suspend new public funds for arms companies that supply Israel and expand the freeze to the Scottish National Investment Bank and enterprise institutions. The decision follows an increase in civilian casualties in Gaza warning of hunger and mass displacement under Israeli blockade and bombing.
Alongside the boycott, Scotland has pledged £1 million in humanitarian assistance, including Gaza’s rapid deployment field hospital and Scotland’s treatment for 20 injured children.
Foreign Secretary Angus Robertson said that if history fails to act, he harshly judges the leader and recalls the delay in recognition of the Slebrenica genocide.
Scotland’s Green MSP Patrick Harvey welcomed the vote as “a European government precedent” to challenge apartheid and collective punishment.