Next government must immediately halt arms sales to Israel, say Greens
Lorna Slater said there is a ‘catastrophic’ humanitarian situation ongoing in the Gaza Strip.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The next UK Government must immediately halt arms exports to Israel, the Scottish Greens will say at an election event in Edinburgh.
The party’s co-leader, Lorna Slater, said both the Conservatives and Labour are refusing to back a weapons embargo despite the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Her party’s General Election manifesto has called for an end to arms sales to human rights abusers.
Speaking in Glasgow last month, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the UK does not make defence exports to Israel in any “meaningful number”.
Sir Keir Starmer has suggested legal advice on arms sales to Israel would be reviewed if Labour are in government.
Ahead of the event in central Edinburgh on Tuesday, Ms Slater said: “For the last eight months, the Tories have armed and supported the brutal bombardment of Gaza. The human cost has been catastrophic.
“The arms sales and political support the Tories have offered has actively fuelled and enabled the destruction, which has killed tens of thousands of people and led the International Court of Justice to open genocide investigations.
“Labour hasn’t been any better. They began by supporting Israel’s right to collectively punish the people of Gaza, cutting off water, food and electricity.
“Now they say they want a ceasefire, but they have hidden behind the Tories and refused to back calls for a weapons embargo.
“I don’t understand how anybody could look at the images and the footage coming from Gaza and think that it is OK to continue to arm and support the war.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.