Angus Robertson has been branded a “liability” by one of the party’s longest-serving MSPs.

In a letter to John Swinney, Christine Grahame said her constituents were “shocked” at the External Affairs minister’s meeting with an Israeli diplomat.

This, she said, was seen as an “endorsement” of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

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Her letter, which was shared with the Sunday Mail and the Mail on Sunday, came amid reports that the First Minister had instructed his cabinet colleague to meet with Daniela Grudsky Ekstein.

One senior SNP parliamentarian said this meant Mr Swinney could not sack the Cabinet Secretaty without also having to resign. 

Details of the summit with Benjamin Netanyahu’s Deputy Ambassador to the UK emerged last weekend when the diplomat publicly thanked Mr Robertson on social media for “welcoming us to wonderful Scotland.”

She added: “Discussed the unique commonalities between Israel and Scotland and also emphasized the urgent need to bring back our 115 hostages.

“Looking forward to cooperating in the fields of technology, culture and renewable energy.”

The social media post sparked anger from a number of normally very loyal MSPs, with many making their feelings known to John Swinney.

The party has also been hit by a wave of resignations, with sources reporting that many members have quit over the meeting. 

In her letter, Ms Grahame said: “Quite apart from my own dismay at Angus Robertson’s meeting with an Israeli rep I have been out and about on my Summer Surgery Tour.

“At every where there were people meeting me I had representations shocked at this apparent endorsement by the SNP.”

This, she added, included many local councillors. “I note you have supported AR but will also know of resignations from members in the party.

“I have long considered AR a luxury the front bench does not need.

“He is now, in my view, a liability.”

Her letter follows one from MP Brendan O’Hara on behalf of the SNP group which claimed Mr Robertson had undermined the SNP’s work on Gaza.

MSPs Kevin Stewart, Emma Roddick, Elena Whitham and James Dornan have also expressed deep concern over the Scottish Government minister’s meeting.

The wife of former first minister Humza Yousaf’s wife, Nadia El-Nakla, has also spoken out through the SNP Friends of Palestine.

The Dundee councillor is the convener of the group. In a statement, they demanded the party apologise.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Mail reported that the First Minister had also been invited to the meeting with the Deputy Ambassador but sent an ‘engagement request’ to Mr Robertson’s office, asking that he take the meeting.

One SNP source told the paper: “Angus has been asked to go on John’s behalf. If you get a request from the FM’s office to attend an engagement, you don’t say no. You have to go.

“So if John did what people are asking for and sacked Angus, he would have to resign.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The deputy ambassador originally requested meetings with several ministers, including the First Minister.

“It is not customary protocol for a First Minister to engage with diplomats at the level of deputy ambassador.

“The Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs represents all portfolios externally and sees diplomats as a core function of his role. As such, he undertook this meeting.”

The meeting has been difficult for the SNP. 

On Saturday, the party removed the whip from veteran MSP John Mason following “utterly abhorrent” comments about the war. 

He had also met with the Israeli diplomat and posted on social media: “If Israel wanted to commit genocide, they would have killed ten times as many.”

Removing the whip from Mr Mason, a party spokesperson said: “To flippantly dismiss the death of more than 40,000 Palestinians is completely unacceptable. There can be no room in the SNP for this kind of intolerance."