A TOP SNP minister is facing criticism after he attended a meeting at which a presentation on the “success” of a weapons firm arming Israel was given.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson addressed a meeting of Holyrood’s cross-party group on France on Thursday evening, which also featured a presentation from arms company Thales, The National can reveal.
However, the Scottish Government said that while Robertson did attend, he left before Thales gave a presentation.
Thales, which has a factory in Glasgow, works with Israeli weapons companies and has been the target of pro-Palestine demonstrations.
The company produces drones for the UK’s Ministry of Defence in conjunction with the Israeli company Elbit Systems, which makes Hermes 450 drones used in attacks on Palestinians, The Ferret reported earlier this year.
The company also sold electronic components and communication systems for Israeli drones worth €2 million in 2018 and 2023, according to the transparency campaign group Disclose.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Angus Robertson was invited to address the inaugural meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s cross-party group on France on Thursday 24 April. He gave a short address at the beginning of the meeting on the trading relationship between Scotland and France, then left. He did not meet with Thales and he did not see any presentation from them.
“Scottish Ministers have been consistently clear in condemning the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and calling for an immediate ceasefire. In addition, we continue to call for an end to all licences for arms exports from the United Kingdom to Israel.”
Robertson was previously forced to apologise after he held secret talks with Israel’s deputy ambassador to the UK, Daniela Grudsky Ekstein.
Thank you @AngusRobertson for welcoming us to wonderful Scotland. Discussed the unique commonalities between 🇮🇱-🏴 and also emphasized the urgent need to bring back our 115 hostages. Looking forward to cooperating in the fields of technology, culture and renewable energy. pic.twitter.com/sh2KeqRa9j
— Daniela Grudsky🎗️ (@DanielaGrudsky) August 12, 2024
He faced fierce criticism from SNP MPs, who have attacked the UK Government for supporting Israel during its deadly assault on Palestine, which has to date killed more than 51,000 people, mostly women and children.
Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer said Thales were “one of the last companies the Scottish Government should be talking up as a success story”.
He said: “Scotland led Europe in denouncing Israel’s assault on Gaza, but our government is still cosying up to the same arms dealers whose weapons and equipment are fuelling this genocide.
“Thales has made billions from enabling war, conflict and suffering around the world.
“The Cabinet Secretary has already been forced to backtrack after meeting Israel’s deputy ambassador. This kind of positive engagement with their arms dealers sends entirely the wrong message as well.
“Scottish ministers have a responsibility to use their position to condemn these corporations and to work for a ceasefire in Gaza.”
Kenny MacAskill (above), the leader of the Alba Party, said he hoped Robertson had “expressed anger and concern” about Thales’s links with the Israeli military.
He said: “This is very concerning. It's one thing to be supporting inward investment and jobs in Scotland. But quite another when a participant is arming those perpetrating a genocide in Gaza.
“It is to be hoped that at minimum Mr Robertson expressed anger and concern.
“The SNP group in Westminster have rightly been speaking out about UK complicity in arms sales, it ill behoves Mr Robertson to pander to those doing so in Scotland. But he has past form on this and some explaining to do.”
Thales were approached for comment.
