BORDERS MSPs have shared their thoughts on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following a vote in the Scottish Parliament.

Earlier this week MSPs voted on whether the Scottish Parliament should call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following the October 7 terror attack in Israel.

More than a month since the terror attack by Hamas militants in Israel – which saw 1,200 Israelis killed and around 240 people taken hostage – more than 14,000 Gazans are believed to have been killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

On Tuesday, November 21, MSPs came together to vote on their support of a ceasefire.

On her decision not to vote for a ceasefire, Rachael Hamilton MSP, who represents Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire for the Conservatives, said: "I would like to see a ceasefire in Israel/Gaza but unfortunately, Hamas terrorists will not even agree that the state of Israel should exist, never mind agree to put down their weapons.

"I will gladly consider any practical and workable solutions that will put an end to the bloodshed that has sadly occurred since terrorists attacked Israel last month."

Among its calls, the motion – tabled by First Minister Humza Yousaf – condemned the actions of Hamas and called for the immediate release of all hostages, and called for an immediate ceasefire to allow for aid to be given to those who remain in Gaza and reaffirmed its support of a two-state solution which would see the end of Israel's occupation and illegal settlements.

On Tuesday 90 MSPs voted in favour of a ceasefire, 28 voted against, 10 MSPs did not vote and there were no abstentions.

Votes in support of a ceasefire in Gaza came from the SNP, Labour, Green Party, Liberal Democrats, and the Alba Party.

All of the 28 votes against the motion came from the Conservative Party.

MSP Christine Grahame, who represents Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale for the SNP, and who voted in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza, said: "The indiscriminate atrocities inflicted by Hamas on innocent Israeli citizens cannot be defended in any shape or form, but equally the Israeli government’s actions over these last few weeks also cannot be defended.

“The atrocities of Hamas, the captive hostages, does not justify such ruthless, indeed criminal actions by the Israeli government. Innocent men, women and children in Gaza must not pay the price for the actions of terrorists.

“What is happening in Gaza right now is a humanitarian disaster.

"An immediate ceasefire is the only way to end the tragic deaths of civilians.”

Talks have been held between officials in Israel, Palestine, Qatar and the USA with the hopes of a pause in the violence to allow for 50 Hamas hostages and 150 Palestinians will be released from Israeli jails.

The pause is expected to begin tomorrow (Friday, November 24) and last for four days.