THE Scottish Greens are calling for Edinburgh to become the first city in Scotland to boycott Israel.
Green councillor Ben Parker is set to put forward a motion on Thursday, hoping to push the capital city a step closer to being able to support a package of boycotts, divestments and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.
The motion calls on the Scottish Government to confirm what steps it will take to ensure that local authorities are able to legally adopt BDS policies should they choose to.
Parker said: “The people of Edinburgh have repeatedly voiced their solidarity with the people of Palestine, and Green councillors have long been trying to find ways to turn that solidarity into practical actions to oppose the genocide at the hands of the Israeli government.
“Boycott, divestment and sanctions is one way of doing this, but local councils have previously been blocked from taking this action against Israel due to an outdated piece of legislation.
“As we approach two years of continued bombardment, torture and mass starvation of Palestinians, it seems bizarre to be debating motions about regulations and process. But we’re hoping that the move by the Scottish Government will allow Edinburgh to follow suit and take real, practical steps towards a free Palestine – so we need clarity on exactly what this means for local government procurement rules.”
Earlier this month, the Scottish Government voted in favour of supporting action against companies complicit in illegal settlements built in Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as ending financial support for companies arming Israel’s genocide in Gaza – calls originally made by Green MSPs.
Former Scottish Greens co-leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie said: “We fully support our Green councillor’s motion and we hope that Edinburgh will lead the way in taking action to boycott Israel.
“There is a role for every level of government in taking action and showing true solidarity with the Palestinian people who are subjected to horrific killing and dehumanisation by Israeli military forces. Scotland must divest from any Israeli-linked companies and arms dealers who profit from the state-sanctioned genocide in Gaza.
“The Scottish Government has already voted in favour of our proposals and now they must explain how they will carry them out, and how they will work with local councils to enable them to do the same.”
