JOHN Swinney has broken his silence in the wake of criticism of the Scottish Government for a “secret” meeting with an Israeli diplomat.
It follows days of criticism of SNP minister Angus Robertson, the External Affairs Secretary, for meeting with Israel’s deputy ambassador to the UK Daniela Grudsky Ekstein last week.
The meeting was kept secret for four days, with details only released on Monday – an unusual move, as meetings with foreign officials are normally publicised in advance, with details of the discussion released on the same day.
Robertson has faced criticism from within the SNP over the meeting, with party figures describing Robertson’s decision to meet with a representative of the Israeli state as “disappointing”.
Thank you @AngusRobertson for welcoming us to wonderful Scotland. Discussed the unique commonalities between 🇮🇱-🏴 and also emphasized the urgent need to bring back our 115 hostages. Looking forward to cooperating in the fields of technology, culture and renewable energy. pic.twitter.com/sh2KeqRa9j
— Daniela Grudsky (@DanielaGrudsky) August 12, 2024
SNP councillor Allan Casey said: “Really disappointing that the Scottish Gov are meeting with the ambassador of a country inflicting genocide against the Palestinian people.
“We should be discussing sanctions against Israel and ending arms sales for their war crimes not cosying up.”
North Ayrshire council leader Marie Burns responded to the news with a tweet reading: “This is shameful.”
Meanwhile former minister Elena Whitham (above) also appeared to criticise the meeting, responding to a picture of Robertson and Grudsky Ekstein together in St Andrews House, Edinburgh with a sad emoji.
In a readout of the meeting provided to the media on Monday, the Scottish Government had said that the pair discussed areas of “mutual interest” including the large diaspora communities of both countries, culture, and renewable energy.
Robertson (below) was also said to have reiterated the Scottish Government’s calls for a ceasefire in Palestine.
In a series of tweets posted on Wednesday, the First Minister defended Robertson, saying the meeting provided an “opportunity to convey our consistent position on the killing and suffering of innocent civilians in the region”.
Last week the Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs met the Israeli UK Deputy Ambassador to express the Scottish Government's clear and unwavering position on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. (1/4)
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) August 14, 2024
He said: “Last week the Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs met the Israeli UK Deputy Ambassador to express the Scottish Government's clear and unwavering position on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“The Scottish Government received the meeting request and accepted on the basis it would provide an opportunity to convey our consistent position on the killing and suffering of innocent civilians in the region.
“I understand why some believe a face-to-face meeting was not appropriate, however, I thought it necessary to outline our long-standing position on an immediate ceasefire directly, and explicitly, to one of Israel's representatives in the UK.
“As First Minister and SNP leader, I will never hold back in expressing support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, an end to UK arms being sent to Israel, and the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state within a two-state solution.”
