Scotland’s Humza Yousaf says UK doesn’t value Palestinian lives like Israeli ones

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The leader of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, expressed his disappointment with the British government for not valuing Palestinian lives as much as Israeli ones. This is a personal issue for Yousaf, as his family is currently stuck in Gaza.

Before his party's annual conference this weekend, the head of Scotland's local government gave a series of interviews where he discussed his emotions regarding the conflict in Israel and Gaza. He also criticized the government in charge of the United Kingdom's capital city.

Yousaf replied to ITV News that he does not believe the U.K. government is treating the lives of Palestinians and Israelis equally. He emphasized that Palestinian lives are just as valuable as Israeli lives.

Earlier this week, Yousaf informed that his in-laws are currently stuck in Gaza due to the unexpected attack by Hamas on Israel over the weekend. The couple is originally from Dundee and had gone to Gaza last week to visit a sick family member along with other relatives, including young children.

Yousaf expressed his frustration during an interview with Sky News last Friday, stating that he has not heard from U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in regards to his family's predicament. Additionally, he revealed that he is both irritated and let down by the lack of a response after reaching out to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who is presently located in Israel.

According to a source from the British government, who is knowledgeable in the matter, Cleverly brought up the issue of Yousaf with the Israeli government.

Despite this, Yousaf pointed out that certain politicians in the UK had failed to demonstrate any compassion towards the citizens of Gaza.

On Friday, Grant Shapps, the Defense Secretary of the United Kingdom, spoke out in support of Israel's decision to instruct over 1 million inhabitants of northern Gaza to evacuate in anticipation of a possible ground attack. The United Nations has expressed concerns that this extensive relocation could lead to severe humanitarian repercussions.

According to Yousaf, the UK government has a responsibility to leverage their close relationship with the Israeli government to speak out against the practice of collective punishment. Yousaf further notes that the UK should condemn the idea that Palestinian lives hold lesser value than Israeli lives.

Yousaf, when asked by BBC about his in-laws, expressed his emotions by shedding tears and admitting to feeling weak and unable to take any action regarding the situation.

When talking to Sky, Yousaf recounted that he had informed his young daughter that her grandma would come back in time for Halloween. However, he was uncertain if this would actually happen.

Emilio Casalicchio provided information for this report.