The Scottish Greens have urged First Minister John Swinney to fully implement boycott and sanctions measures against Israel in his upcoming Programme for Government. Party leaders emphasized that the upcoming legislative agenda must mark a turning point to end Scotland's complicity in the systemic abuse of Palestinians.
Patrick Harvie, a Scottish Greens MSP, pointed out that the party has repeatedly called on Swinney to terminate contracts with companies identified by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk as being involved in Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. Additionally, the Greens are advocating for local authorities to be granted greater powers to support the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This would require repealing a Margaret Thatcher-era UK law that currently prevents procurement decisions from being based on geographical origin.
Harvie criticized the Scottish government for failing to match its rhetoric with concrete action, asserting that ministers have done the bare minimum and shown little evidence of meaningful change on the issue. He argued that if a company is profiting from apartheid and genocide, the Scottish government must use every power at its disposal to ensure it is not also profiting from public money in Scotland.
To support his point, Harvie recalled how ministers issued guidance to Scottish businesses following the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine, which made it clear that the private sector had a responsibility to respond. He argued that the Scottish government has already demonstrated its capacity to act when it chooses, stating that Palestinians deserve no less. He warned against a boycott in name only, urging the government to deliver on parliament's votes rather than offering empty gestures.
In response, a spokesperson for the Scottish government defended its record, highlighting that it was one of the first administrations to call for a ceasefire. The spokesperson stated that the government remains a clear and consistent advocate for peace, justice, and human rights in Gaza, and has taken the most direct and effective action available within its devolved powers to press for an immediate resolution and an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people.
