Scottish Parliament will not fly Israeli flag in decision involving MSP who defended Hamas

The Scottish Parliament has rejected hoisting the Israeli flag outside its building after a decision involving a Green MSP whose “vile” defence of the Hamas terrorist attack provoked outrage.

Holyrood’s ruling corporate body threw out a Tory proposal to show the parliament’s solidarity with Israel by flying its flag, in line with similar displays on landmarks around the world.

The Telegraph understands that Maggie Chapman, the Greens’ representative on the five-strong Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB), was involved in the decision.

Ms Chapman tweeted at the weekend:

Holyrood’s authorities have also rejected lighting the building in the blue and white colours of Israel, copying similar messages of solidarity on landmarks including the Palace of Westminster and 10 Downing Street.

They said that the parliament did not have the facilities required and its unusual architectural shape makes it difficult to illuminate.

The SPCB rejected the moves during a meeting on Monday after a proposal was tabled by Dr Sandesh Gulhane, the Scottish Tories’ shadow health secretary.

A Scottish Parliament spokesman said: “A request was received to fly the Israeli flag. The SPCB considered the request and approval was not given.

“In this case there was a majority view and no vote took place.”

SPCB members were consulted over the plan “by correspondence” as Holyrood is in recess. The spokesman initially said there was “no division” vote by members, but later withdrew this statement.

Dr Gulhane told The Telegraph: “I’m disappointed with the decision not to fly the Israeli flag over the Scottish Parliament because it was never about taking sides.

“It was an opportunity to join others around the world and here in the UK to show solidarity with the victims and condemn the terrorists.”

Donald Cameron, the Scottish Tories’ external affairs spokesman, said: “It’s perhaps not surprising the parliament’s corporate body rejected the reasonable proposal of my colleague Sandesh Gulhane, given that Maggie Chapman herself sits on that very body.”

Ms Chapman has not deleted her tweet, which was posted on Sunday, despite the barrage of condemnation it has received.

Her views echoed those of Ross Greer, another Green MSP, who tweeted at the weekend: “Palestinians have a clear right under international law to defend themselves, including by attacking their occupiers.”

The SPCB consists of an MSP from each of the four largest parties in Holyrood – the SNP, Labour, the Tories and the Greens – and Alison Johnstone, the presiding officer. Its discussions are confidential.

The Tory member is Jackson Carlaw, whose Eastwood constituency includes Scotland’s largest Jewish community and who was the most outspoken critic of Ms Chapman’s attack.

Mr Carlaw, the former Scottish Tory leader, challenged the First Minister to scrap his “toxic” coalition deal with the Greens following the “vile comments”.

He said that Ms Chapman’s intervention exposed “the disgusting bigotry that pollutes the Scottish Greens and makes them totally unfit to be a party of government”. However, Humza Yousaf refused to act and accused Mr Carlaw of being “crass”.

The First Minister said that the Scottish Government would not fly Israeli or Palestinian flags from its buildings, but would focus on how it could ensure the safety of any Scots in Israel or Gaza.

The Scottish Greens referred a request for a comment to the Scottish Parliament.

Meanwhile, Mr Yousaf, revealed that his parents-in-law are alive but have only a day’s worth of supplies left while trapped in Gaza.

The SNP leader said that the situation facing Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla, the parents of his wife, Nadia El-Nakla, was “dire” and called on the UK to use its influence over Israel to push for a ceasefire so that civilians can escape.

Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla had travelled from their Dundee home to visit their daughter’s 93-year-old “elderly and frail” grandmother, with their trip coinciding with the Hamas attacks on Israel.

The SNP leader’s brother-in-law, a doctor, also lives in Gaza with his four children, including a two-month-old child.

“My mother-in-law tells me they’re alive, which is what we were hoping to hear,” Mr Yousaf said. “Beyond that, I’m afraid the situation is dire.

“They had a terrible night. Rockets were falling all around them, the house was shaking, the children were screaming most of the night.

“They have, according to my mother-in-law, one day of supplies left. They’re terrified to try to go out to any market, given that they’ve all been told to stay indoors.”

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