Obama inauguration must lead to "more sustained and positive" international engagement

Addressing a cross-party event at the Glasgow Central Mosque Community Centre this evening, which is seeking to raise aid for Gaza, Govan MSP and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The ground action in Gaza taken by the Israeli Government has raised the crisis to a new and perilous level, and it is vital that the situation is de-escalated.  The United Nations Secretary General has called for an immediate ceasefire, and I add my voice to the weight of international opinion urging the Israeli Government to heed that call.

"Even before this action - which looks to be nothing less than a collective punishment of the people of Gaza - there was a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and a ceasefire is essential in order to allow much-needed aid and assistance to get through.

"The ultimate answer to the Middle East crisis has to be a two-state solution - a secure and stable Israel alongside a peaceful and prosperous Palestinian state.  The current military campaign is taking us further away from that goal, with further loss of life, and a further increase in the cycle of hatred and violence.

"We have to get back onto the path that can deliver a stable and lasting peace in the Middle East.  My hope is that the inauguration of President Obama in two weeks' time will lead to a more sustained and positive engagement by the whole international community in achieving peace, dignity and self-determination for all the peoples of the Middle East."