Scottish National Party expels MP over controversial comments on Israeli onslaught on Gaza

By Merve Berker

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has expelled a member of the Scottish Parliament following controversial comments the lawmaker made on social media about Israel's brutal offensive on Gaza, according to press reports on Sunday.

John Mason, MP for Glasgow Shettleston since 2011, wrote in an August post, "If Israel wanted to commit genocide, they would have killed 10 times as many."

His remarks drew significant criticism from within the SNP and beyond, with many viewing his comments as dismissive of the scale of violence against Palestinians.

Ian Blackford, former SNP leader in Westminster, condemned Mason’s statements, saying, “You are not fit for public office. You are an embarrassment and not fit to represent anyone.”

A spokesperson for the SNP reiterated the party's position, stating, “There can be no room in the SNP for this kind of intolerance.” The spokesperson added that Mason’s comments appeared to trivialize the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians.

In response to his expulsion, Mason expressed disappointment but maintained his stance, arguing that diverse viewpoints should be respected within the SNP as long as members are committed to Scottish independence. He added that while he does not believe Israel is committing genocide, peace and negotiations between Israel and Gaza are essential.

The SNP stated that Mason has the right to appeal his expulsion, refraining from further comment on the disciplinary process.

Israel has continued a brutal offensive on Gaza following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

More than 42,200 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 98,400 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.