Scottish First Minister John Swinney has publicly described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” marking the first time he has used the term and becoming the second UK national leader to do so after Northern Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill.
Swinney made the remark during an appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where his event was repeatedly interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. “It’s quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine, it can’t be disputed,” he told reporters afterward.
The comment follows growing pressure from within the Scottish National Party (SNP), including calls from SNP MPs for the UK government to recognize the situation in Gaza as genocide.
Israel denies the accusation, stating that its military operations are in self-defense following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks that killed nearly 1,200 people in Israel and led to the kidnapping of over 250 individuals.
More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel’s offensive, according to UN figures, with increasing global criticism over the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Swinney made the remark during an appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where his event was repeatedly interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. “It’s quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine, it can’t be disputed,” he told reporters afterward.
The comment follows growing pressure from within the Scottish National Party (SNP), including calls from SNP MPs for the UK government to recognize the situation in Gaza as genocide.
Israel denies the accusation, stating that its military operations are in self-defense following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks that killed nearly 1,200 people in Israel and led to the kidnapping of over 250 individuals.
More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel’s offensive, according to UN figures, with increasing global criticism over the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
