Scottish First Minister warns of UK’s complicity in civilian deaths if arms sales continue

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging the UK to stop selling arms to Israel, warning that continued sales risk making the UK “complicit in the killing of innocent civilians.”

In his letter, Yousaf highlighted the ongoing violence in Gaza and the increasing civilian death toll, including humanitarian workers providing vital aid. He criticized Israel’s actions as going beyond a legitimate military response and pointed to the UK’s role in supplying arms to Israel, despite the extensive casualties and damage, including bombings of hospitals, schools, and refugee camps.

Yousaf’s call comes amid heightened pressure from the Scottish National Party (SNP), which is calling for MPs to return from their Easter break to debate and vote on ending arms sales to Israel. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn argued that Parliament should force the UK government to end the sales if the government is unwilling to act.

In response, Prime Minister Sunak defended the UK’s “careful export licensing regime,” stating that all arms exports follow strict rules, regulations, and procedures. Sunak reiterated the UK’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Hamas but emphasized that such actions must comply with international humanitarian law to protect civilian lives.

He also called for an immediate humanitarian pause to allow more aid into Gaza and for the release of hostages held by Hamas.