Angus Robertson, Scotland's external affairs secretary, has apologised after facing intense criticism over a secret meeting with Israel's deputy ambassador earlier this month. The meeting with Daniela Grudsky Ekstein took place at Israel's request, but senior figures in the Scottish National Party reacted angrily, with some calling for Robertson to be suspended and an urgent debate at next month's SNP conference.
Veteran backbencher Christine Grahame reportedly raised the issue with First Minister John Swinney, describing Robertson as "a liability" and saying her constituents were shocked the meeting had happened. Another SNP minister, Ivan McKee, told the BBC that Robertson should reflect on his conversation with the diplomat, and agreed that the government should clarify its stance on the Gaza crisis and Israel's conduct.
In a statement issued four days after the meeting, Robertson said it had been an opportunity to express the government's "clear and unwavering" calls for a ceasefire, but also included discussions about antisemitism, renewable energy cooperation and culture. He apologised, saying the meeting had been taken by many to represent a normalisation of relations between the Israeli and Scottish governments.
Robertson said: "No one intended that this meeting be presented as legitimatising the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. It is clear that it would have been better to ensure that the meeting was strictly limited to the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the appalling loss of life in the region." He added that, having now spoken directly to the Israeli government, it would not be appropriate to accept any further meeting invitations until there is peace.
The controversy marks a shift from the approach of former First Minister Humza Yousaf, whose wife's parents and siblings were trapped in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes. Yousaf took a robustly critical line on Israel's conduct. McKee said the government should restate its full position on the ceasefire, humanitarian aid, recognition of Palestine, and other issues including Israel's behaviour in Gaza.
