Angus Robertson is to come under intense pressure over his meeting with a senior Israeli diplomat at the SNP's annual conference when he faces members for an hour long question and answer event on international affairs.

The session is scheduled to take place from 10.30am to 11.30am on Sunday, September 1, ahead of First Minister John Swinney's address to his party at 3.30pm that afternoon, according to the event's final agenda issued to members.

After Mr Robertson's session ends the party will debate a series of motions on subjects including housing, enshrining abortion rights in the constitution of an independent Scotland, and gender affirming care.

Following those debates, there will be a policy discussion on child poverty – led by social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP before the conference debates topical and emergency resolutions.

Mr Swinney is due to address the conference after the topical and emergency resolutions.

Separately, the embattled external affairs secretary is also expected to face calls for his suspension from the government in "a motion of censure" in relation to his talks with Israel's deputy ambassador to the UK Daniela Grudsky. 

The motion - which is not a matter for the party conference to formally discuss - argues that his actions brought "the party into disrepute" and were "detrimental to the independence movement" and that he should be investigated by the SNP’s conduct committee.

It also calls for Mr Robertson to be suspended as a Cabinet minister pending a Scottish Government investigation.

(Image: Israeli Government) Daniela Grudsky, Israel's deputy ambassador to the UK, pictured after her meeting with Angus Robertson, the Scottish Government's external affairs secretary.

The motion, brought by the Dalkeith branch, was discussed on Tuesday by members of the branch with sources telling The Herald ahead of the meeting it was expected to be approved.

If it is approved it will be submitted to the party's national secretary Lorna Finn who will decide whether to refer Mr Robertson to the SNP's member conduct committee.

Ms Finn earlier this week expressed her opposition to the meeting between Mr Robertson and Ms Grudsky.

The motion of censure states that action should be taken because Mr Robertson held the meeting despite the International Court of Justice, the UN’s highest court, having ruled last month that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories was unlawful.

READ MORE: Robertson 'still a liability' says SNP MSP after apology

It also argues that the fact that areas of co-operation to benefit both Scotland and Israel were discussed went against the court’s recommendation that states avoid any action, including aid or assistance, that would help to maintain the present situation.

It highlights “impassioned” speeches at last year’s conference by the then First Minister Humza Yousaf and his wife Nadia El-Nakla, a councillor in Dundee whose parents Elizabeth and Maged were trapped in Gaza after Israel attacked in response to the October 7 assault by Hamas. 

(Image: PA) Former First Minister Humza Yousaf pictured with his wife Nadia El-Nakla, her parents Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, and wider family after Mr and Mrs El-Nakla returned to Scotland after being trapped in Gaza last autumn.

“The SNP has led on condemnation of these actions in Gaza and the public trust us to take a moral standpoint,” the motion says. “The SNP leadership must at all times follow and reflect the wishes of its members as expressed at conference.

“To agree to a meeting for any purpose, other than to singularly condemn the actions of the current government within Israel, is a breach of that trust, trust placed in the hands of senior ministers by both party members and the electorate.”

READ MORE: Humza Yousaf makes emotional plea to Holyrood over Palestine

The motion in full reads: "This motion of censure is presented against Angus Robertson, cabinet secretary for constitution, external affairs and Culture in response to actions this branch believes are detrimental to the Independence movement.

"Grounds for Censure:
1. Angus Robertson met with Daniela Grudsky, Israel’s Deputy Ambassador on 08/08/2024.
2. Deputy Ambassador Grudsky described the purpose of this meeting to explore “commonalities with Scotland” and “opportunities for cultural and economic co-operations in the fields of energy etc.”

(Image: PA) First Minister John Swinney will address the SNP's annual conference on Sunday, September 1.

3. On 19/07/2024 the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel practices apartheid and segregation. The ICJ further stated there is a duty on all states not to cooperate with and to act against these practices.
4. The Scottish Government decision to agree to the meeting request clearly ignores the ICJ obligation.
"Summary of Failures:
Conference made very well clear, after an impassioned speech by former First Minister Humza Yousaf and Cllr Nadia El-Nakia that the party condemns the actions of the IDF in Gaza.
The SNP has led on condemnation of these actions in Gaza and the public trust us to take a moral standpoint.
The SNP leadership must at all times follow and reflect the wishes of its members as expressed at conference.
To agree to a meeting for any purpose, other than to singularity condemn the actions of the current government within Israel, is a breach of that trust, trust placed in the hands of senior ministers by both party members and the electorate.
Demands:
It is imperative that immediate corrective actions are taken to restore trust and integrity.
1. This branch believes that the cabinet secretary for constitution, external affairs and culture should be referred by the party's National Secretary to the member conduct committee for bringing the party into disrepute.
2. We believe he cannot continue in his role as minister meantime and ask that he be suspended pending investigation from his role within the Scottish Government."

Following a wave of criticism from MPs, MSPs and members - including calls for his sacking from his government role - Mr Robertson apologised on Monday for not limiting the meeting with Ms Grudsky "to the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the appalling loss of life in the region." 

But he told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland (GMS) programme yesterday he had not considered resigning his position and said he believed it was "right" to communicate the Scottish Government's opposition to the conflict in Gaza.

He said issues which did not relate to the war were raised by Ms Grudsky, including energy, tourism and economic co-operation.

He told the radio programme: "That meeting was not an appropriate space or time for that meeting to take place."

Mr Robertson has faced criticism from within his own Holyrood party, with long serving MSP Christine Grahame telling The Herald on Tuesday - after his apology - that he was a "liability", that he had shown "poor judgment" and had "contaminated" the party's position on Gaza.

SNP MP Ruth Maguire told The Herald on Monday she shared the "anger" felt by party members in relation to the meeting.

Mr Robertson was asked if he had considered his position in the cabinet following the backlash.

He told GMS: "No, I haven't because I think it was right to communicate the message that we did.
"But I have reflected very strongly on the impact that it has created and the impression that was created, which is why I issued the apology yesterday.

"I most certainly did not want to create an impression that there was a normalisation of relations between the Scottish Government and the Israeli government when there is not."

The Scottish Government has suspended any further meetings with the Israeli government until peace progress has been made.

The SNP has been approached for comment.