LONDON: Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has for the first time described Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “genocide,” becoming the second UK national leader to do so after Northern Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill, it was reported on Saturday.
Speaking at an Edinburgh Fringe event that was repeatedly interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters, Swinney told reporters: “It’s quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine, it can’t be disputed. I have seen reports of terrible atrocities which have the character of being genocide. I’ve expressed that and obviously it’s not reached all those individuals, but that’s my feeling.”
Swinney made his remarks following a disrupted appearance at the Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh, where protesters stood up holding letters spelling “GENOCIDE” and chanted slogans including “Call it genocide.”
Security staff prevented demonstrators from approaching the stage as interruptions became increasingly forceful throughout the event.
His comments, reported by The Guardian, come amid mounting pro-Palestinian pressure from within the governing Scottish National Party, including from elected representatives in both Holyrood and Westminster.
