Palestine will never forget how Scotland stood by our side, says Palestinian ambassador

The Palestinian ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot has said the Palestinian people “will never forget” how Scotland “stood by our side when it mattered the most”.  

Zomlot addressed SNP members at the party’s annual conference in Aberdeen. 

He thanked John Swinney for speaking to US President Donald Trump about a ceasefire in Gaza earlier this year when he visited Scotland.  

The ambassador said: “You [Swinney] and the people of Scotland have something to do with the last few days of the world coming to its senses and bringing [Benjamin] Netanyahu, the unhinged Netanyahu, to compliance.” 

He also thanked the Scottish Government for being “one of the first” to call for a ceasefire, sanctions on Israel, and for recognised Palestinian statehood. 

Zomlot said: “When the genocide raged in Gaza you raised your voices to carry our pain.  

“You brought our students to study here, our wounded to heal here, and you reminded us, again and again, that we were never alone.” 

Last month, the first minister attended a flag-raising ceremony with the ambassador at the Palestinian Mission in London to mark the UK’s recognition of the state of Palestine.  

During his speech to the conference, Zomlot thanked Swinney for attending the event: “To me, personally, it meant a lot that you were literally standing by my side as I put my hands on your shoulders, the shoulders of Scotland, to say thank you thank you to Scotland.” 

Speaking after the flag-raising event last month, Swinney said: “I have been clear that the UK’s recognition of the State of Palestine should have been unconditional, but this decision goes some way towards acknowledging the UK’s solemn and historic responsibility towards all peoples of the region. 

“While this announcement is welcome news, this is just the first step towards establishing a two-state solution.  

“A two-state solution is the only option that can provide peace, prosperity, and security for both the state of Palestine and the state of Israel.”  

He also added that Hamas “must play no role in the future of the Palestinian state”. 

Both the ambassador and the first minister paid tribute to former first minister Humza Yousaf and Nadia El-Nakla “for championing the rights of the Palestinian people” throughout the war in Gaza.  

It is expected that the transfer of the remaining hostages in Gaza will take place tomorrow. In return Israel has agreed to release around 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees.