When Scottish National Party minister John Mason posted a tweet that Israel was not committing genocide in Gaza, he was merely stating a fact. Not only should a politician have the freedom to express their opinion, but the accusation that Israel is committing genocide is a lie.
John Mason, a practicing Christian, tweeted having met with Israeli deputy ambassador Daniela Grudsky to discuss “what Israel hopes to achieve in Gaza.” This was followed by another tweet in which he stated: “There is no genocide. If Israel wanted to commit genocide, they would have killed many many more.”
He also wrote: “And Israel cannot be considered guilty of genocide either. If they wanted to commit genocide, they could have killed 10 times as many Palestinians as they have. Remember it is Iran/Hamas which wants Israel wiped off the map.”
As a result of the tweet, John Mason has been suspended with immediate effect by the SNP, which will be meeting at a future date to discuss his future. Former leader of the SNP in Westminster, Ian Blackford, has described Mason as an “embarrassment” and accused of glorifying “killing and murder.”
Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee reacted: “It’s deeply offensive, it’s hugely inaccurate, and it’s not in line with the values of the SNP.”
Sandra White, a SNP minister for Glasgow, said, “You make me sick John. The SNP should disown you as I have”.
Rather than retract his statement, John Mason has come out defending his view. Speaking to the BBC, the minister for Glasgow Shettleston, told Good Morning Scotland: “I completely stand by the tweet, which was making the point this is not genocide. When we look at other examples of genocide, historically, it’s nothing like what’s happening in Gaza. And if Israel wanted to commit genocide, you know, sadly, they could have killed an awful lot more people.”
John Mason explained that Israel, as well as Jews in Scotland, felt “very much under threat”.
He added: “I would like to see Scotland, the UK, acting more as a peacemaker, rather than cheering on either side.”
Asked about losing the whip, Mason responded: “Sometimes you have to do the right thing and just take the consequences.”
He is right. Genocide is the “destruction of any national, racial, ethnic, or religious group.” Israel is neither committing genocide or has the intention to. Rather, Israel is seeking the destruction of Hamas, a terror group that confessing the intent to destroy the state of Israel and kill Jews – this is genocide. Israel’s campaign in Gaza, however, is an act of self-defence and the Jewish state goes to great lengths to prevent Palestinian civilian casualties, demonstrated by Israel’s unparalleled combatant to civilian death ratio. Hamas, on the other hand, does its best to increase Palestinian civilian casualties, as demonstrated by their human-shield tactics and by their deliberate amalgamation of civilian and terrorist death numbers.
But, according to the SNP, stating the truth is now “offensive” and goes against the values of the party. But as John Mason said in his response, sometimes you have to face the “consequences”. And sadly, Mr Mason is.
Having the “whip removed” by the party (being suspended) means he will sit in Scottish parliament as an independent minister until the SNP meets to decide his future. Let us pray that John Mason, and others in Scottish Parliament, will be encouraged to stand firm and speak the truth about Israel, even if it causes offence.
Very pleased to see @AngusRobertson met Israeli deputy ambassador @DanielaGrudsky. I also met her last week. Useful discussion on what Israel hopes to achieve in Gaza. As UK learned in Ireland, to achieve peace we must talk to each other… including to people we disagree with. pic.twitter.com/81b8KdrTOc
— John Mason (@JohnMasonMSP) August 15, 2024
