SNP Foreign Affairs and Defence Newsletter Edition 3 - June 2021

SNP Push for Peaceful Resolution on Israel- Palestine Tensions exploded between Israel and Palestine in the worst violence since 2014. The 11-day conflict led to the deaths of more than 250 people and hundreds more being injured.

Alyn Smith MP raised the subject in the Chamber and called on the UK Government to formally recognise the state of Palestine and boycott Israeli settler goods. He also spoke with the Israeli Embassy to express his concerns about the violence. Watch it here

Belarus: There Must SNP Tackling SNP Criticise Hong Be Consequences Disinformation Kong Crackdown

In an urgent debate, Alyn Smith MP Stewart McDonald MP has published On the 32nd anniversary of the called on the UK Government to a ground-breaking report entitled Tiananmen Square massacre provide practical aid to human rights 'Disinformation in Scottish Public Chinese authorities continue to crack and democratic dissidents in Belarus Life'. down on human rights and and invetstigate to what extent democracy in Hong Kong. Russia was involved in the The report, the first of its kind in interception of a cilivilan aircraft over , is Stewart's assessment of Alyn Smith MP spoke at a Belarus. disinformation activity in Scotland parliamentary debate on this issue, over recent years, including with raising awarness how human rights In a blatant disregard for regards to the COVID-19 pandemic are being trampled on and international law, Belarusian and political campaigns. democracy curtailed under a new authorities ordered the grounding of National Security Law. Alyn urged a Ryanair flight between Athens and The report also outlines 9 the UK Government to demonstrate Vilnius. Upon landing at Minsk recommendations that will make global leadership in coordinating airport, journalist Roman Protasevich Scotland more resilient and able to international action to support and his partner Sofia Sapega were resist hostile disinformation democracy and human rights in immediately detained and arrested. campaigns and conspiracy theories. Hong Kong. Watch it here. Read it here. Watch it here. SNP Diplomacy in Defence Roundtable SNP Condemn Cruel Action Resounding Success Aid Cuts Alyn Smith MP had productive Stewart McDonald MP organised a The SNP have frequently meetings with several European successful roundtable on 'Defence, condemned the callous and cruel Ambassadors and Deputy Security and ' aid cuts announced by the FCDO. Ambassadors over the past month on the 7th June. The panellists The UK to its shame is the only including representatives from included Dame Mariot Leslie, member of the G7 to cut foreign aid countries such as Denmark, Slovenia former UK Permanent during the pandemic. and the Czech Republic. Representative to NATO, Professor Caron Gentry, Head of the School of Alyn Smith MP argued that the cuts Alyn spoke with them on a range of International Relations at the will hurt the world's most issues including the impact of University of St Andrews and vulnerable communities as well as on EU citizens, the recent Scottish Professor Beatrice Heuser from the damage the UK's reputation parliamentary elections, and the University of . Journalist abroad. upcoming COP26 conference in Laura Waddell chaired the event. Read more here. Glasgow this November.

'Project No Surprises': SNP Turing Scheme inadequate: Engaging Internationally Bring Back Erasmus! In the aftermath of the dismal Integrated Review, The MP for Alyn Smith demanded an apology Foreign Affairs spokesperson Alyn Smith MP and from the Prime Minister on how the Turing Scheme – Defence Spokesperson Stewart McDonald MP have co- the UK government’s replacement programme for written an article demonstrating how an independent ERASMUS – has let down young people. Scotland would bring no surprises to allies. Citing the case of a student from Stirling University, Alyn The article demonstrates the intention of the SNP to highlighted how the UK Government is limiting the engage much more constructively with the international future prospects of young people. He urged the UK community ahead of the next independence government to either rejoining Erasmus or replace it with referendum campaign. a like-for-like replacement. Read it here. Watch it here.

Alyn Smith MP Stewart McDonald MP SNP Foreign Affairs Spokesperson SNP Defence Spokesperson @AlynSmith @StewartMcDonald [email protected] [email protected] www.alynsmith.scot @SNP_GlobalScots www.stewartmcdonald.scot