THE First Minister has said that “long-lasting peace is the only solution” ahead of the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
John Swinney said that “we must stand united in defiance of violent division”, adding that his year will be even more distressing for Scotland’s Jewish communities following the attacks at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester.
Marking the second anniversary of the Hamas attack, Swinney called for an immediate ceasefire and release of hostages.
On October 7 2023, 1195 Israelis and 79 foreign nationals were killed, while over 4800 people were injured and 250 taken hostage.
Since then, at least 67,139 Palestinian people have been killed and 169,583 injured. At least 65 Gazans were killed and 153 others injured in the last 24 hours alone, Gaza’s health ministry said.
It comes as Hamas said it has accepted elements of the US peace plan to end the nearly two-year conflict, including being willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians.
Donald Trump’s proposal would place Gaza under control of a temporary governing committee led by Trump himself. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair would be involved as well.
The First Minister said: “As we mark the second anniversary of the heinous attacks, we must always remember that 7 October resulted in the worst single loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust.
“Our Jewish communities remain extremely traumatised by these attacks – and the events that have followed – and I know that this year will be even more emotionally distressing after the horrific attack carried out at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester.
“It was an attack made all the more cruel for being perpetrated on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, and my thoughts remain with the victims and their families, and with Jewish communities across the United Kingdom.”
Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, who was on bail for an alleged rape, was shot dead by police as he targeted Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, on Thursday on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Four people were arrested in connection with the terrorist attack.
Adrian Daulby, 53, is believed to have been shot dead by police while trying to stop Al-Shamie from entering the synagogue during the attack. Melvin Cravitz, 66, from Crumpsall, a worshipper who helped prevent the attacker from entering the premises, also died.
Swinney continued: “As we mourn all those who have lost their lives since 7 October, we must stand united in defiance of violent division.
“We must respond to the devastating conflict occurring across the Middle East by showing that long-lasting peace is the only solution.
"We must see an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. It is the only way to stop death and displacement, violence and fear, unrest and division.
Israelis and Palestinians must be allowed to live safely side by side, with long-lasting peace, prosperity, and security.
“Events in the Middle East cannot ever justify antisemitism, prejudice or any acts of violence. All of Scotland’s communities must feel safe and protected.
“Scotland’s diversity and our inclusive outlook is one of our greatest strengths. All of our communities are equally integral, valued and permanent parts of our national life – their members are our friends, our neighbours, our colleagues.
“In remembering all those who lost their lives on 7 October and since, we do so in equal condemnation of all forms of terror and violence.”
It comes as Trump said Hamas must agree to a proposed peace deal for Gaza by 6pm Washington time on Sunday and threatened the group will suffer more attacks if it does not.
Hamas said it has accepted elements of the plan but further negotiations were needed on other areas.
Among the issues Hamas did not agree to were disarming and the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights, which it said should be agreed with other groups and using international law.
Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera the proposal “cannot be implemented without negotiations”.
Israel earlier said it accepted Trump’s plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (above) was with the US president when he announced the plan.
In a statement on Saturday, Netanyahu said Israel would work “in full cooperation” with Trump’s plan and was preparing to “implement the first phase” concerning the release of hostages.
The plan called for Hamas to give up power and disarm, while Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release Palestinian prisoners and allow humanitarian aid and end plans to relocate much of Gaza’s population.
The territory would be placed under international governance overseen by Trump and former British prime minister Blair.
