CONFLICT in the Middle East is sadly not new but the focus is very much on Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Given the scale of the horror in the Syrian civil war, the fight against Islamic state (IS) in Iraq and the Saudi bombing in Yemen, it is perhaps understandable that the decades-old conflict involving Israel and Palestine is less in the spotlight. The challenges in the Holy Land have not gone away, however, and the need for a resolution and peace are as acute as ever.

Today I will undertake my first international visit since becoming deputy leader of the Scottish National Party when I will travel to Israel and Palestine with SNP colleagues. It is a part of the world I have always wanted to visit so that I can better understand the realities for people who live there and see the situation on the ground. As someone committed to opposing intolerance, hatred and genocide it is appropriate that our first stop will be at the Holocaust memorial centre Yad Vashem. Our programme involves meetings and visits in Israel and Palestine and I greatly appreciate the assistance of the Palestinian and Israeli authorities as well as the UK Foreign Office.

The opportunity to meet decision-makers at the Knesset and Palestinian Authority will be important. There is no substitute for seeing the challenges in the West Bank and in Israel but it is about learning about opportunities too. There are huge economic, social and cultural opportunities which are sadly eclipsed by the bad news we often hear about.

There are strong Scottish connections to the region that go back a long time. There is a religious focus for Scottish Christians, Jews and Muslims that remains highly relevant and includes a Church of Scotland presence in Jerusalem. The plight of the Palestinian people has been the subject of a long and principled campaign in Scotland. Many Scots, including significant numbers of SNP members, have campaigned for decades to help secure self-determination and justice for the Palestinian people. There have also been long-standing connections to Israel, including those of Scottish Jews, and from an SNP perspective this includes the role of our former vice-president Willie McRae who helped Jewish refugees after the Second World War and in drafting Israel’s law of the sea.

Having long supported peace and reconciliation initiatives I have been encouraged to explore whether there is any way Scotland can offer help and assistance. Both the Israeli ambassador and Palestinian envoy to the UK have welcomed the interest and the potential support. Small nations have been able to make a positive impact as we know from the Oslo accords. We are limited in Scotland by the fact that we are not a sovereign state actor (yet) but there are still things we can offer.

Nearly 10 years ago I hosted the first peace and reconciliation discussions outside the former Soviet Union involving parliamentarians from Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. They held discussions in Scotland because our country is ideally suited for such things. Our country, where the national debate about our constitutional future is civic, democratic and non-ethnic, is an excellent backdrop for others trying to make progress on the path to peace. Scotland and its natural attractions are also a draw for those who want to advance their dialogue on neutral friendly ground.

Just like the international community, the SNP are strong supporters of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. Palestinians must be able to govern themselves, see an end to the occupation and begin to prosper. Israelis must be able to live in peace and security. Every moderate Israeli and Palestinian I have met wants this to happen.

I am under no illusion about the scale of the task Palestinians and Israelis face in reaching a settlement. Even limited progress has been agonisingly slow and there have been so many backward steps. But I am really keen that Scotland should aspire to offer help and assistance. When in Israel and Palestine I want to learn about how we can be more supportive in the search for peace. There are many in Scotland who want to help, including our Jewish community and campaigners for Palestine. It is to be hoped that, together, we can help make a difference, no matter how small.

Angus Robertson MP is deputy leader of the SNP and the party’s Westminster group leader.