Angus Robertson ‘profoundly sorry’ for meeting with the Israeli government

External affairs secretary Angus Robertson has said he is “profoundly sorry” for any “impression of any normalisation with the Israeli government”, after his recent meeting with the country's deputy ambassador to the UK.

In his address to SNP conference during a discussion on international affairs, Robertson told delegates the “priority” of the Scottish Government was “to communicate support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, an end to UK arms being sent to Israel, and the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state within a two-state solution.”

Last month, Robertson came under fire after meeting with Israeli’s deputy ambassador to the UK Daniela Grudsky.

The controversial meeting led to demands for Robertson to be sacked from his role.

He continued: “I look forward to following up on how we can best keep our focus on holding Israel to account, supporting an end to the violence and a sustainable and peaceful future for Palestinians and for Israelis.”

Robertson then went on to argue for independence, claiming Scotland is “restricted” in what it can do to address global emergencies.

“Our devolved Scottish Government has used its limited powers to address global poverty, the climate and biodiversity crisis and threats to human rights. Without independence, Scotland has been forced into Brexit and compelled to host nuclear weapons against the will of the people here.

“As an independent state, Scotland can develop a foreign and defence policy that meets our values, ensuring that our voice is heard on critical global issues such as the Israel Gaza conflict and the war in Ukraine.”

He added: “Scotland must face those challenges through more, not less, cooperation with our fellow Europeans and the wider international community.”

Robertson also highlighted Scotland’s potential to play a key role in fixing the international energy crisis.

His claims follow on from a recent report by the Net Zero Technology Centre outlining that Scotland could satisfy at least 22 per cent and up to 100 per cent of Germany’s hydrogen demand by 2045.

He said: “Germany is moving as fast as possible to hydrogen, an energy source it cannot produce enough of. Scotland, on the other hand, will be able to produce so much renewable electricity in the decades ahead that we will be able to export hydrogen at scale. And what is true for Scotland as a windy nation with considerable offshore potential is also true for our immediate and northern neighbours. It's true for Ireland. It's true for Iceland. It's true for Faroes. It's true for Norway. It's true for Denmark.”

He continued: “And that's why the significant focus of my work as cabinet secretary for external affairs has to has been to work with the European Union, with Germany and other continental decision makers to highlight the opportunities and with near neighbours about how we can coordinate our efforts towards interconnection and regional hydrogen development. We need to do this, whether devolved or independent, and we're getting on with this right now.”