Nadia El-Nakla asserts that the UK is ‘facilitating’ Israel

 

The UK is being accused of “enabling” Israel in its preparations for a ground offensive in Gaza, as stated by Nadia El-Nakla, the wife of Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf.

During a fringe meeting at the Scottish National Party conference on Sunday, El-Nakla expressed her feelings of helplessness as her parents remain trapped in Gaza. Both she and Yousaf have urged the UK government to assist in establishing a humanitarian corridor to aid civilians in the Gaza Strip.

When asked about her opinion on the UK government’s recent response to the Hamas conflict—where Foreign Secretary James Cleverly urged Israel to exercise “restraint” in its response to Hamas’ unexpected attack last week—El-Nakla argued that the government has supported Israel by providing limited military assistance.

Last week, Britain deployed military resources, including surveillance aircraft and naval patrols, to the eastern Mediterranean. The government stated that this move was aimed at preventing an escalation of the conflict and reiterated the UK’s support for Israel.

“I’m not entirely sure why,” El-Nakla remarked, referring to the military assistance. “Israel possesses one of the most formidable and advanced armies globally, and I’m uncertain why they require further support,” she added.

“The UK is endorsing Israel’s actions, all while downplaying our concerns,” she continued, expressing her perception of a lack of British concern for the lives of civilians in Gaza. Yousaf previously commented that he believes the UK does not value Palestinian lives as highly as Israeli lives.

El-Nakla, who was born in Dundee to a Palestinian father and a Scottish mother, made these remarks at a Palestine Solidarity Campaign event during the SNP’s conference. Her parents are still in Gaza after travelling there last week to visit an ill relative.