Scotland\u2019s First Minister Humza Yousaf offered for the country to be the first in the United Kingdom to accept Gazan refugees amid the Israel-Hamas war.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yousaf drew swift condemnation on social media, as even Arab nations like Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt \u2013 some of which have taken strong stances against Israel \u2013 simultaneously have opposed taking Palestinian refugees amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza because of vetting concerns about who of them might be affiliated with terrorist groups.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some users on social media went even further, arguing against bringing in Palestinian refugees who they said grow up being taught to hate Jews and oppose Israel\u2019s right to exist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaking before the Scottish National Party\u2019s annual conference in Aberdeen, Yousaf said \u20182.2 million innocent people cannot pay the price for the actions of Hamas.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018In the past, people in Scotland and across the UK have opened our hearts and our homes. We\u2019ve welcomed those from Syria, from Ukraine, and many other countries. Conference, we must do so again,\u2019 Yousaf said in a clip of his speech he shared on X. \u2018There are currently 1 million people displaced within Gaza. So therefore I\u2019m calling today on the international community to commit to a worldwide refugee program for the people of Gaza. I\u2019m calling on the U.K. government to take two urgent steps.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Firstly, they should immediately begin work on the creation of a refugee resettlement scheme for those in Gaza who want to and of course are able to leave. And when they do so, Scotland is willing to be the first country in the UK to offer safety and sanctuary to those who are caught up in these terrible attacks,\u2019 he continued.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Conference, my brother-in-law is a doctor in Gaza. When we can get through to him on the phone, he tells us of scenes of absolute carnage \u2013 hospitals running out of medical supplies. Doctors, nurses having to make the most difficult decision of all \u2013 who to treat and who to let die. That can\u2019t be allowed. Not in this day and age. So I therefore urge the UK government to support the medical evacuation of injured civilians in Gaza,\u2019 Scotland\u2019s first minister said. \u2018And let me be clear, Scotland is ready to play her part, and our hospitals will treat the injured men, women and children of Gaza where we can.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yousaf\u2019s wife, Nadia El-Nakla, has been trying to get her parents out of Gaza.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018The people of Gaza are a proud people. Many don\u2019t want to leave, and shouldn\u2019t have to,\u2019 Yousaf added in another X post. \u2018But for those displaced, who want to leave, there should be a worldwide refugee scheme. Scotland is willing to be a place of sanctuary and be the first country to take those refugees.\u2019<\/p>\n
But the call to bring in Gazan refugees got swift pushback on social media.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Why should we, they hate the west, our way of life etc. The children are taught at a very early age to hate Jews and Christians,\u2019 one user wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018The country voted for HAMAS who they knew were terrorists,\u2019 the user added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The user noted how the United Kingdom saw large-scale demonstrations in favor of Palestinians after Hamas\u2019 surprise Oct. 7 attack on Israeli civilians. The post, responding to Yousaf\u2019s video, also referenced a British school teacher who showed a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad during classroom instruction years ago. The teacher reportedly still remains in hiding after facing protests from parents in the Muslim community, The Daily Mail reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The user also highlighted security at Jewish schools in the U.K.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In light of Hamas\u2019 attack, Jewish schools across England were bolstering security as a precaution as antisemitic incidents quadrupled, The Guardian reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Why do none of the bordering [countries] accept them?\u2019 one user wrote, responding to Yousaf\u2019s post. \u2018Wonder why.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018No. United Kingdom Island has enough issues of our own,\u2019 a second user said. \u2018We have too many people living on the island as it is. therefore, Arab nations should open borders for their Muslim brothers and sisters, house them and help them. Their countries are large and have the capacity to do so.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
Broadcaster Paula London wrote, \u2018It\u2019s not up to you, it\u2019s up to Rishi Sunak as thankfully Scotland don\u2019t have independence.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Iran, Syria, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon are not accepting the Gazans?\u2019 another user said.\u00a0<\/p>\n