LONDON: The Scottish government is to change its rules on financial support for arms manufacturers to deter them from doing business with countries justifiably accused of genocide, The Guardian reported.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney made the announcement after urging the UK to join a case at the International Court of Justice against Israel.
He said defense firms in Scotland would need to prove they do not do business with the Israeli military if they want financial assistance in future.
Swinney told the Scottish parliament: “The scale of suffering (in Gaza) is unimaginable. Nobody can ignore it. We must confront this crisis with urgency, compassion and an unwavering commitment to accountability.”
The Scottish Enterprise business agency and the Scottish National Investment Bank have been instructed not to offer financial support to companies that breach the new regulations.
Meanwhile, trade ties with Israel will be cooled, with Scottish Enterprise also being told not to help new export deals for non-military goods with the country.
According to investigative journalism platform The Ferret, Scottish Enterprise has awarded more than £2.75 million ($3.69 million) to defense firms Raytheon, Thales and Leonardo since January 2022, all of which have major contracts with the Israeli military.
A UK government source said Swinney’s moves are “all over the place,” after he also announced plans to help defense companies — many of which arm Israel — supplying munitions to Ukraine.
Defense manufacturing and exporting is a significant part of the Scottish economy. On Sunday, the UK announced that a £10 billion deal had been reached with Norway to supply it with at least five Type 26 frigates to be built by BAE Systems at shipyards just outside Glasgow.
BAE is a major player in the global arms supply chain, and has repeatedly been criticized by activists for its role in manufacturing parts for the F-35 fighter jet, which is used extensively by the Israeli military in Gaza.
Earlier this year, BAE was the recipient of £9.22 million for a new training center for apprentices set up at the site that will see the construction of the Type 26 frigates.
Swinney said none of the funding for apprenticeships in the industry would be affected by efforts to hinder the arms trade with Israel.
Jamie Livingston, head of the anti-poverty charity Oxfam, said: “Gaza is being turned into a graveyard before our eyes. History will ask if leaders did everything they could to stop it. The first minister has committed to act; Westminster must do the same.”
A UK government spokesperson said: “We have suspended licences for exports of military equipment to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) that might be used in operations in Gaza, subject to the special measures in place for exports to the global F-35 program, based on our assessment that these could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.
“We will work with our allies and those in the region on a meaningful process towards a two-state solution and continue to do what we can to support the foundations of Palestinian statehood.”
