SCOTTISH independence campaigners have heaped pressure on John Swinney to institute a state boycott of Israel – saying the clock is ticking “to make a difference and save lives”.
The Scottish Independence Convention, an umbrella organisation aiming to unite the Yes movement, has called on the First Minister to back Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer’s call for the Scottish Government to fine companies trading with Israel.
Greer, who is running for the party leadership, also called on Swinney to bring in guidance to encourage firms to sever ties with Israeli businesses and for public funding to end for companies selling to Israel.
The Scottish Independence Convention has previously called on all pro-independence parties to “commit to sanctioning Israel where possible and to pushing all Scottish business and suppliers to divest from Israeli products”.
That call was backed by the Greens and Alba but not the SNP.
The Scottish Government previously told The National that ministers would “consider” Greer’s proposals, which included using a business rates surcharge to penalise companies trading with Israel.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Independence Convention said: “The First Minister has now rightly recognised that Israel are committing genocide in Gaza and Ross Greer is absolutely right to push this issue within the Parliament which we commend him for.
“When we originally made this call we were met by silence but the pressure from people everywhere in Scotland has made recognition of these war crimes and the need to take meaningful action.
“We sincerely hope that the First Minister responds swiftly to Greer and adds his name to our calls for a Scottish boycott on Israel, while there is still some time to make a difference and save lives.”
