Shocked beyond belief

Like most Shetlanders, I despair at the humanitarian catastrophe which is taking place in Gaza. Despite the evidence before our very eyes the Labour Government (Yes – A Labour Government) refuses to ban the supply of weapons to Israel.

It was good to see the Scottish Parliament take a stand. Last week they voted to call on the Scottish and UK Governments to impose sanctions on Israel, to recognise a Palestine state and demand an immediate ceasefire.

When I found out that all five Lib Dem MSPs, including our own Beatrice Wishart, had abstained on this vote I was shocked beyond belief.

Why could they not bring themselves to support the SNP on an issue such as this which is frankly beyond Party Politics?

Only their leader, Alex Cole Hamilton, can answer this. Did he mention it during his flying visit to Shetland last week? Not at all.

From Scottish Parliamentary records, the Liberal Democrats didn’t even submit any amendment to try to align this motion more with their own party views, unlike the Greens, Tories and Labour.

So shame on them.

Fiona Morton Cluness
Garderhouse

Note from the editor:
Here is a link to Alex Cole Hamilton’s speech in the Scottish Parliament including an explanation why the Lib Dems abstained: https://www.libdemvoice.org/alex-colehamilton-recognition-of-palestinian-state-essential-step-on-road-to-peace-78214.html