THE SNP is to launch its first official trip to Israel as part of ambitious plans for Scotland to play a role in helping achieve peace in the Middle East.
Angus Robertson will today lead an official delegation to the region after saying he had been "encouraged to explore whether there is any way Scotland can offer help and assistance."
He added that both the Israeli Ambassador and the Palestinian envoy to the UK have welcomed his interest and added that small nations had already shown they could play a positive role, citing the example of the Oslo accords.
Mr Robertson, who was elected SNP deputy leader in a landslide last month and leads the party at Westminster, was a key figure in holding successful peace talks between high ranking delegations from Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in Craigellachie, in Moray, more than a decade ago.
Writing in The Herald, the MP said he hoped the visit would help him understand the conflict from both sides, with the trip also including tours of Palestine. He will meet decision-makers at the Knesset and Palestinian Authority.
He added: "We are of course limited in Scotland by the fact that we are not a sovereign state actor (yet), but there are still things we can offer.
"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. In a country where our national debate about our constitutional future is civic, democratic and non-ethnic, it is an excellent backdrop for others who are trying to make progress on the path to peace. It goes without saying that 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 that Palestinians and Israelis face in reaching a settlement or limited progress along the way. 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 I am in Israel and Palestine I want to learn about how we can be more supportive in the search for peace. There are many people in Scotland who want to help, including our Jewish community and campaigners for Palestine. Hopefully, together we can help make a difference, no matter how small."
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