By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
SNP MSP John Mason has been stripped of the party whip after making “completely unacceptable” comments on social media, where he argued that Israel’s actions in Gaza did not amount to genocide. In his post, Mason stated, “I personally do not believe that Israel has tried to commit, has committed, or is committing genocide.”
The SNP Chief Whip responded by condemning the remarks, stating, “To flippantly dismiss the death of more than 40,000 Palestinians is completely unacceptable,” adding that the comments were “utterly abhorrent.” Despite his suspension, Mason expressed disappointment and stood by his view, asserting, “They [Israel] certainly have the ability to kill many more Palestinians than they have done.”
This controversy unfolds amid criticism within the SNP over External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson’s meeting with Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the UK, which some party members, including former minister Kevin Stewart, described as a “mistake.”
Source: BBC News
