Scottish Government strove to be Israel's ‘critical friend'
Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba said the Swinney administration had "actively sought a meeting with a representative of a state whose prime minister is now wanted by the ICC for crimes against humanity".
The planned meeting did not go ahead due to what the Israeli Embassy described as "sudden security threats", but a follow-up visit by Israel's deputy ambassador, Daniela Grudsky, was arranged for Thursday August 8.
Ms Grudsky met with Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs Angus Robertson in Edinburgh, sparking widespread internal criticism and a furious backlash from SNP MSPs and activists.
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The documents reveal that ministers and senior advisers were closely involved in managing the meeting, with discussions focused on communications strategy and anticipating FOI requests.
One official remarked: "Transparency is obviously a good thing, but it takes up such a lot of our time."
While the Scottish Government said the August 8 meeting allowed it to express concern about civilian deaths in Gaza, other topics including culture and renewable energy were also discussed.
In the redacted minutes released to The Ferret, much of the section on "Israel/Scotland relations" is blacked out.
However, the minutes state: "The Scottish Government's position remained that the Palestinian people had the right to self-determination and that a secure Israel should be able to live in peace and security. There was value in dialogue between Scotland and Israel as critical friends."
The diplomatic row first came to light when the Israeli embassy tweeted a photo of Ms Grudsky and Mr Robertson on Monday August 12, shortly after the meeting.
The backlash grew after it emerged that the Scottish Government had not initially disclosed the visit.
Mr Swinney later replaced Mr Robertson at a scheduled Edinburgh Book Festival event with former Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford.
In internal discussions days later, Mr Swinney and Mr Robertson agreed to clarify the Government's position, acknowledging the controversy and agreeing that "normal" relations with Israel were not currently possible.
Amnesty International said the documents raised questions about whether Mr Robertson strongly challenged Israel over its conduct in Gaza.
"It is squarely in the public interest to have absolute clarity," said Amnesty's Liz Thomson. "Such guidance is clearly needed to inform all external affairs activity."
In response to the story, Mr Robertson said: "Close to 60,000 people have been killed in Gaza — many more are now being left to starve at the hands of the Israeli government. Civilians who queue to access what little humanitarian aid is permitted to enter Gaza are frequently shot at and killed by Israeli Defence Forces.
"The rhetoric of Israeli politicians has become increasingly extreme in recent months. Under such abhorrent circumstances, the Scottish Government is unequivocal that it would not be appropriate to meet with the Israeli government.
"This will remain our position until real progress has been made towards peace and Israel co-operates fully with its international obligations on the investigation of genocide and war crimes."
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