Lorna Slater speaking at the Scottish Greens spring conference

The Scottish Greens have accused the SNP of blocking attempts to stop funding for arms firms that are linked to Israel’s assault on Gaza.

According to the Scottish Greens, the Scottish Government has given over £1 million to companies that have armed Israel.

Scottish Green Party Co-leader Lorna Slater said: “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is one of the worst in the world, and this was an opportunity for our parliament to take concrete steps to ensure that Scotland is playing no part in it. It is deeply disappointing that the SNP chose to block action.

“The Scottish Government is right to support a ceasefire in Gaza, but it is simply hypocritical for them to continue backing companies who are enabling and profiting from the atrocities that have been inflicted by Israeli forces.

“When Russia invaded Ukraine the Scottish Government rightly took action against companies who were supporting Putin and his war machine, with measures that went far further than arms companies. It is time for them to do the same for Israel.

“Not a penny of public money should be given to companies that are profiting from genocide or war crimes whether they are being carried out by Russian forces or by Israel.”