John Swinney calls on Sir Keir Starmer to help Scotland evacuate injured Gazan kids
The Prime Minister has been urged to engage with Scotland on evacuating injured children from Gaza who would otherwise be "left to die".
First Minister John Swinney wrote to Sir Keir Starmer earlier this month, saying Scotland "stands ready" to receive some of the 2,000 children from Gaza injured as a result of the Israeli bombardment of the territory, to be treated in the NHS.
But Mr Swinney claims to have received no response from the Prime Minister.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Mr Swinney said: "It is deeply saddening that so far the UK Government has refused to even enter into a dialogue about medical evacuations for children in Gaza who, without proper medical attention, will be left to die.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
"That is the frank reality of life in Gaza under Israeli bombardment and blockade. The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of total collapse, with surgeons working day and night under artillery fire, with inadequate supplies and often no electricity.
"We know that many hospitals have been targeted and decimated by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)."
The First Minister added that Scotland is prepared "to do what is required to save the lives of as many of these kids as we can".
His initial call came after a meeting with children's charity Unicef, prompting him to declare a "race against time" to help children in need of urgent medical care.
"But we can't do so without the support of the Labour Government to get the children through the UK visa system and into Scotland," he said.
"The suffering, torment and killing of the people of Gaza has gone on for far too long. I urge the Prime Minister to urgently engage with the Scottish Government on this issue so we can save as many young lives as we can."
A spokeswoman for the UK Government said: "Since the start of the conflict, UK support has provided essential healthcare to over 430,000 people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
"We have helped several children with complex paediatric conditions access privately funded medical care in the UK, supporting an initiative by Project Pure Hope.
"We have been clear the situation in Gaza is intolerable and that there must be an immediate ceasefire.
"We urge Israel to let vital humanitarian aid in and allow Gazans to receive urgent healthcare, including allowing the sick and wounded to temporarily leave the Gaza Strip to receive treatment."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
14 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Trump agrees US-EU trade deal avoiding tariff war in Turnberry talks with Von der Leyen
A deal was struck after European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen met with the US President at his golf resort in South Ayrshire. Donald Trump has announced a huge trade deal with the European Union worth more than $1.35 trillion (£1.05 trillion) after meeting European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at his Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire. The former US President said the agreement, struck during Von der Leyen's visit today, will see the EU buy $750bn of American energy and invest a further $600bn into the US economy. Trump told reporters: 'The European Union is going to agree to purchase from the United States $750 billion worth of energy. 'They are going to agree to invest into the United States $600 billion more than they're investing already. So they're investing a large amount of money. 'You know what that amount of money is, it's very substantial.' He added that all EU countries had agreed to open up their markets for zero-tariff trade with the US and to purchase 'a vast amount of military equipment,' calling the deal 'bigger than any other deal', reports the Mirror. Trump also revealed both sides had agreed to a 'straight across' 15% tariff on cars. 'I think that basically concludes the deal,' he said. Von der Leyen said the US and EU remain the world's biggest trading partners and described the talks as an attempt to 'rebalance' the multi-trillion-dollar relationship. Calling Trump 'a tough negotiator and dealmaker,' she added: 'I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever struck.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Trump described hosting Von der Leyen at his Scottish resort as 'an honour' and repeated his long-standing concerns about 'unfair' trade with Europe, warning that without an agreement, the US had been ready to impose 30% tariffs on EU imports. The agreement follows months of tense negotiations, with both sides previously threatening retaliatory tariffs on goods ranging from European cars and cheese to American beer and aircraft.
Daily Record
14 minutes ago
- Daily Record
John Swinney pays tribute to woman who lost battle with anorexia aged 20
The MSP for Perthshire North shared a snap of the group together sporting their, 'Run for Rachel' t-shirts. John Swinney has paid tribute to a young constituent who sadly lost her battle with anorexia earlier this year. The first minister attended a charity park run, which was organised by the family of Rachel Bywater from Aberfeldy, to raise funds for BEAT, the UK's leading charity supporting those affected by eating disorders. Swinney joined the family of Rachel who sadly died on May 17 this year aged just 20-years-old at the event which has raised an amazing £7,500 for the charity. The MSP for Perthshire North shared a snap of the group together sporting their, 'Run for Rachel' t-shirts and wrote: "A special privilege to join the family of Rachel Bywater - one of my constituents who faced an eating disorder and sadly died recently aged only 20 - to run a 5k and raise funds for Beat (Eating Disorders). "Wonderful to see so many in the #Aberfeldy community supporting today." Her father Dave Bywater added: "Thank you John, it was great to have your support and that of the community. 'I hope everyone who reads these posts can realise there is a family behind this who are suffering a tragic loss, and ignore the offensive responses you have received." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Ahead of the event her family wrote: "We will be installing a new bench on the River Bank for Rachel Bywater, who very sadly passed away on May 17th this year. "To mark the occasion a fund raiser will be held on the Sunday to raise funds for BEAT (Eating Disorders). All you have to do is walk, jog or run 1, 2 or 3 laps of the FeldyRoo Fitness Trail. "The choice is yours, all we want is everyone to get involved. You can fill in an entry form and pick up sponsorship form at any of the pubs - Fountain, Black Wach or Schiehallion. "Entry is totally free but raised sponsorship or donations on the day would be really appreciated no matter how little or large."
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Covid-19 outbreak closes two wards at major Scots hospital
The major hospital has closed the wards to all but essential visitors. Two wards at a major Scots hospital have been shut down following a Covid outbreak, with health chiefs urging visitors to stay away if they feel unwell. NHS Grampian confirmed on Sunday that wards 110 and 308 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary are now closed to all but essential visitors. In a statement on social media, the health board said: 'Due to cases of COVID, wards 110 and 308 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary are closed to all but ESSENTIAL visitors. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'Normal visiting applies in all other wards. 'If you are unwell, please do not visit relatives or friends in hospital.' Officials stressed that the measures are in place to protect patients, staff and visitors. NHS Grampian has been contacted for further comment.
