Scotland bans arms companies that supply IDF from receiving financial aid

"John Swinney, the first minister, said on Wednesday any defence contractors who wanted financial help in Scotland would have to prove their products would not be used by the Israel Defense Forces. He said governments around the world needed to take urgent action in response to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where there was now plausible evidence of genocide. The scale of suffering [in Gaza] is unimaginable, he told the Scottish parliament on Wednesday."

"Nobody can ignore it. We must confront this crisis with urgency, compassion and an unwavering commitment to accountability. After urging the UK government to support the genocide case against Israel at the international court of justice, Swinney said his devolved government in Edinburgh had decided to change its rules on financial support for defence companies. It would now pause any new grants or financing for products going to countries justifiably accused of genocide, he said."

"Research by the Ferret website has found since January 2022, Scottish Enterprise has given at least 2.75m to the defence firms Raytheon, Thales and Leonardo, all of which have products used by the IDF, including drones, the F-35 fighter and guided missiles. Scottish Enterprise had also been told not to facilitate any new non-military export deals with Israel by companies based in Scotland, Swinney said, before urging the UK government to abandon its trade pact with Israel."

The Scottish government banned arms companies that supply the Israel Defense Forces from receiving grants or investment support and will freeze support for trade with Israel. Any defence contractor seeking financial help in Scotland must prove its products will not be used by the IDF. The government paused new grants or financing for products destined for countries justifiably accused of genocide, starting with suppliers to Israel. Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish National Investment Bank were instructed not to offer new financial support to non-compliant firms. Research shows Scottish Enterprise provided at least 2.75m to Raytheon, Thales and Leonardo since January 2022.

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