'Beyond angry' Humza Yousaf launches tirade after SNP ceasefire vote rejected


Humza Yousaf has said he is “beyond angry” with MPs who refused to back a ceasefire in Gaza in a crunch Commons vote.

MPs last night rejected an SNP amendment to the King’s Speech demanding an immediate end to fighting in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

But the Scottish First Minister said those who did not back it were on the “wrong side of history”.

Mr Yousaf, who was recently reunited with his Palestinian in-laws after they had been trapped in Gaza, said: “Today at Westminster MPs were presented with the chance to vote in favour of the SNP ceasefire.

“This was a plea to put humanity before politics by endorsing a ceasefire.

“Too many parents have had to bury their children in Gaza. Too many children have become orphaned. Too many have suffered. And for far too long.

“A ceasefire would enable a humanitarian corridor and the crucial delivery of immediate aid to those in desperate need.

“I am beyond angry that Scottish Labour MPs and others refused to back the calls for an immediate ceasefire.

“They are on the wrong side of history, which is unforgivable.

“Over 4,500 innocent children have been killed in Gaza. The World Health Organisation has reported a heartbreaking statistic a child has been killed every 10 minutes.

“Let that sink in and know there are haunting images of tiny premature babies who have been removed from the incubators because the situation is so dire.

“This cannot continue. Humanity must prevail through collective international pressure. A path to ending the senseless violence can and must be found.

“We cannot allow the silent screams of the innocent to go unanswered. In the face of such profound sorrow, let all of our voices join the rallying cry of human solidarity. Take action.

“Use your voice and I can promise you that I will continue to raise my voice to demand an immediate ceasefire.

“We cannot allow this humanitarian catastrophe to go on for a second longer.”

MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNP’s King’s Speech amendment demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

But Sir Keir Starmer faced the biggest rebellion of his leadership with 56 MPs backing it, including eight shadow ministers who either quit or were sacked.

Some in Labour had accused the SNP of intentionally using the amendment to exploit divisions in the party.

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