Scottish Government Suspends Meetings with Israel

The Scottish government has announced it will suspend meetings with Israeli officials until 'real progress' is made in peace negotiations concerning the Gaza conflict. External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson faced internal party backlash after a recent meeting with Israeli Deputy Ambassador Daniela Grudsky, which some members perceived as a normalization of relations. Robertson acknowledged that the meeting should have been focused solely on advocating for an immediate ceasefire and expressed regret for not limiting the discussion appropriately. He stated that future meetings will not occur until Israel complies with international obligations regarding humanitarian access and the investigation of alleged war crimes. This decision is supported by various party members, including criticism from the Scottish Greens, who have called for a formal apology and reaffirmation of the Scottish Government's stance against normalizing relations with Israel during ongoing hostilities. As of now, the death toll in Gaza has reportedly surpassed 40,000 amid continued conflict.