Opposing Gaza ceasefire is 'enabling suffering', says Scotland leader Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf – whose Palestinian in-laws were trapped in Gaza until last week – reiterated his support for an immediate ceasefire for the territory, which Israel has bombed relentlessly since 7 October.

MENA

3 min read

The New Arab Staff

07 November, 2023

Yousaf became Scotland's first minister earlier this year [Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty]

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has slammed opponents of a ceasefire for Gaza saying they are "enabling suffering" as Israel continues to pound the Palestinian enclave and kill thousands.

Yousaf – whose Palestinian in-laws had been trapped in Gaza until last week – reiterated his support for an immediate ceasefire for the territory, which Israel has bombed relentlessly since 7 October killing at least 10,000 people.

"This is a pivotal moment now for the international community," Yousaf said in a video posted to his official account on social media platform 'X' on Monday.

"You either support an immediate ceasefire, as the Scottish government has been doing for for many weeks, or you're frankly enabling the suffering of innocent men, women and children.

"So I want Scotland to be on the right side of history, I hope every other country will do likewise. We have to have an immediate ceasefire."

30 days of bombing, over 10,000 dead, including 4,000 children.

If you are not calling for an immediate ceasefire, you are frankly enabling the suffering of so many innocent people.

Scotland will be on the right side of history and of humanity.

📹 @ginadavidsonlbc @LBC pic.twitter.com/mmy9n7kRd7
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) November 6, 2023

Yousaf's comments came as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other leading politicians reiterated calls for "pauses" to the bombing that has killed more than 10,000 people, but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.

Governments worldwide have urged for a ceasefire for Gaza and for desperately needed aid supplies to be allowed in to the devastated territory.

Yousaf, whose wife is Palestinian, said his in-laws suffered a "traumatic few weeks" after being trapped in Gaza amid the bombing that has now lasted a month.

I am pleased to say my in-laws are safe and back home ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ

We are, of course, elated, but my father-in-law said, "My heart is broken in two, and with my mum, son & grandchildren in Gaza." He then broke down telling me how hard it was saying goodbye to them. pic.twitter.com/rJxccT6SkQ
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) November 5, 2023

Yousaf became first minister earlier this year, making him Scotland's first Muslim leader.

He said last week that Scotland would be willing to take in refugees from Gaza, where well over a million people have been displaced by Israel's onslaught.

He has also defended next week's planned pro-Palestine protests that have come under fire from UK politicians and the police for their coincidence with Armistice Day weekend.

The Scottish leader said he was "beyond angry" about tirades from UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman that branded the protests "hate marches".