SNP ministers have been criticised for their “naivety” as the controversy over an Israeli ambassador meeting rumbles into party conference.
The row over External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson’s meeting with Israel’s deputy ambassador Daniela Grudsky earlier this month saw party delegates pass a motion reiterating calls for an immediate ceasefire with Gaza.
The topical motion from Scots Asians for Independence was squeezed into the end of the first day of the SNP’s Edinburgh conference amid concerns protests could overshadow Saturday’s keynote speech from Westminster leader Stephen Flynn.
Former MSP Sandra White told conference her party needed to hear the criticism.
She said: “I’ve been in Gaza, I’ve been in the West Bank, I’ve been in the hospitals and I’ve been in the schools and I have saw how the Palestinian people are treated – not just in since October 7 but for 76 years they have been treated in this way.
“That is not a regime that we and the Scottish National Party should have anything to do with whatsoever.
“We talk about diplomacy and meeting with these people – I have been asked to meet with them.
“I really couldn’t believe the naivety of our party thinking that the Israelis would not use this photo opportunity… to put them in a good light.
“That’s a criticism that I think has to be said – the naivety that it would not be used against us, against Scotland.”
The row has haunted the party in recent weeks, with First Minister John Swinney heckled by a pro-Palestinian protester over the meeting during an Edinburgh International Book Festival appearance.
Mr Robertson has apologised for the meeting, admitting the meeting should have been limited to calling for an immediate ceasefire.
He also confessed the meeting should have been limited to calling for a ceasefire instead of discussing trade and cultural issues.
Future meetings with Israeli diplomats will be declined, the Scottish Government has said.
Putting forward the motion, SNP activist Qasim Hanif told his party to pressure the UK Government to end arms sales to Israel.
“Conference, let me make it very clear that Scotland and our SNP cannot have bilateral relations with a party or genocidal state,” he said.
“If we support an apartheid state then we would be complicit in their crimes.
“An SNP government must immediately pressure governments around the world, including the British government, for an immediate ceasefire and a cessation of all hostilities.
“The Scottish Government must pressure the UK Government to end all arms sales, and ensure no arms from Scotland are sold to Israel.”
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Glasgow Shettleston MSP John Mason also had the whip removed after he replied to a tweet from Ms White which read: “If Israel wanted to commit genocide, they would have killed ten times as many.”
Following Mr Mason's comments, Ms White responded on X: "Appalling absolutely appalling.
"The SNP needs to take action immediately remove the whip & sanction you."
The comments were described as “completely unacceptable” by the party, with critics including former Westminster leader Ian Blackford.
After having the whip removed, he also said future meetings with Israel should be able to continue, stating: “If we only meet people we agree with it would be a sad state of affairs. And I certainly think it’s Angus Robertson’s a role to be meeting people from all around the world.”
The First Minister also held talks with the head of the Palestinian mission to the UK last week following the backlash.
On X, he wrote: “As First Minister of Scotland, I will never hold back in expressing support for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the recognition of a sovereign and viable Palestinian state within a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace alongside each other.”
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