ANAS Sarwar has expressed his support for recognising the state of Palestine.
The UK Government is coming under increasing pressure to recognise Palestinian statehood after France made a commitment to do so within months.
The Scottish Labour leader has attempted to add to that pressure by posting a video on Twitter/X saying: "I support the immediate recognition of the state of [[Palestine]]."
In the clip, Sarwar says: "I have long supported the immediate recognition of the state of Palestine and continue to do so.
"But whilst pressing for that, we must see the end of the war right now."
He goes on: "What we're seeing on our screens and on social media feeds is intolerable, unjustifiable and heartbreaking.
"That's why we need an immediate ceasefire.
I support the immediate recognition of the state of Palestine. But that in itself will not end the war. The mass starvation, indiscriminate killing and illegal occupation must end now. pic.twitter.com/fsLGcYJnmd
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) July 25, 2025
"We need a free flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. We need to see the end of illegal occupation and the pathway to a two-state solution. But we also need to see hostages return to their families where they belong.
"It is clear to me Benjamin Netanyahu is in breach of international humanitarian law, that he has no interest in peace, and he cares more about staying in power and out of jail than doing the right things by his citizens."
It comes as SNP MSP Kevin Stewart says he has lodged a motion calling on the [[UK Government]] to recognise the state of [[Palestine]].
Last year, Humza Yousaf submitted a similar motion that was not signed by Sarwar.
Labour MSPs Alex Rowley, Foysol Choudhury and Richard Leonard were among those who did sign.
The Prime Minister is set to hold "emergency talks" with France, Germany and Italy on Friday over Israel's starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.
The announcement came just hours before French president Emmanuel Macron said France would officially recognise Palestine as a state in September, following months of speculation.
At least 80 Palestinians, including nine aid seekers, have been killed and 467 others injured in Israeli attacks across [[Gaza]] in the past 24 hours, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry.
In a statement on Twitter/X, Macron said: "Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine.
"I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September.
"The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population. Peace is possible."
Starmer has faced mounting pressure to immediately recognise Palestine as a state, including from his own cabinet.
The Prime Minister is understood to have been urged by a number of senior ministers in different Cabinet meetings over recent months that the UK should take a leading role in issuing recognition.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting called for recognition “while there’s still a state of Palestine left to recognise”.
More than 100 MPs have also signed a letter organised by Labour backbencher Sarah Champion calling for Starmer to make the move.
