Humza Yousaf: Jewish and Muslim communities stand united in Scotland

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Humza Yousaf has called on Jewish and Muslim communities in Scotland to “stand together and united” amid the ongoing terror and humanitarian disaster in the Middle East.

The First Minister has joined the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, during a bi-annual meeting today.

In Gaza, more than 11,000 men, women and children have been killed, and almost 1.6 million displaced.

Hamas have taken around 240 hostages since waging terror on Israel almost six weeks ago.

Wednesday’s (November 15) meeting was an opportunity for the Scottish Government and STUC to re-iterate solidarity with the Jewish and Muslim communities in Scotland, and commit to working in collaboration to ensure that anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or any form of hatred or prejudice has no place in Scotland.

“What we are witnessing in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster. More than 11,000 men, woman, and children have lost their lives, and almost 1.6 million have been displaced. The people of Gaza are in desperate need of water, shelter, food, and safety.

“We must stand together and united, join with international organisations and aid agencies like the United Nations and World Health Organisation, and continue to lend Scotland’s voice to the growing international calls for an urgent ceasefire.

“The way forward is clear, and I hope that others across Scotland will add their voices to our calls – which build on Scotland’s proud history of supporting and promoting peace across the world.

“Working in solidarity with trade unions and others to combat antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hatred in Scotland is crucial, and I am absolutely committed to sending a clear message that hatred or prejudice directed at any community has no place in our modern Scotland.”