THE SNP has vowed to introduce a Palestine Recognition Bill when Parliament reconvenes if Labour fails to deliver its manifesto pledge to recognise the state of Palestine.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn plans to table the legislation in September, coinciding with a UN general assembly expected to see pressure ramped up on Israel to end the slaughter in Gaza.

Should the matter go to the vote in Parliament, Labour will face pressure of its own, not least from the commitment it made in last year’s election manifesto to formally recognise Palestine “as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution.”

Speaking today, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray insisted that recognition was a matter of “when, not if.”

He said: “As a government, we’re committed to the recognition of Palestine, but we need to work with international partners and we need to use that moment to galvanise change.

“It needs to be part of a pathway to peace… 140 countries have already recognised Palestine. The suffering is still continuing.”

Unimpressed, Mr Flynn said: “The Labour government cannot continue to stand idly by in the face of what is happening — it must join the growing international moves to recognise and protect Palestine.

“The SNP and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney have consistently called for official recognition of Palestine but there has been a vacuum of leadership at Westminster. 

“SNP MPs forced Westminster to vote on securing a ceasefire and now we will work to force a vote on the recognition of Palestine if the Labour government doesn’t change its position. 

“Keir Starmer must stop defending the indefensible, finally find a backbone and demand that Israel ends its war now.”