MSPs back calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war
The Scottish government motion supported UN calls for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire"
Scottish Labour supported the SNP motion despite a row over a proposed amendment from Anas Sarwar's party
The Scottish Tories backed the call for humanitarian pauses not a ceasefire
The first minister says he has written to the prime minister and Sir Keir Starmer saying they must recognise the state of Palestine.
He draws his speech to a close by saying: "The Scottish government continues to call for an immediate ceasefire."
He also reiterates his call for the Israeli hostages to be freed.
"This parliament and the international community must unite in calling for an immediate ceasefire," the first minister insists.
He says Scotland is willing to play its part in providing sanctuary for refugees and play its part in the medical evacuation of injured citizens of Gaza, or indeed Israel.
"Scottish hospitals are ready to treat injured civilians where it can."
Yousaf goes on: "This parliament stands as one and exerts that the horrors in Israel and Palestine can never justify expressions of antisemitism, of Islamophobia or racial or religious hatred of any kind in Scotland or elsewhere.
"We must all be proactive in rooting out any hint of Islamophobia or antisemitism wherever it occurs."
Yousaf goes on to say: "The entire population is being deprived of the basic means of survival."
The first minister explains the Scottish government's position remains consistent: "In the face of such destruction, death and inhumanity an immediate ceasefire agreed by all sides is needed to ensure the protection of innocent civilians and the delivery of essential supplies."
He says we must strive for better than a "humanitarian pause".
The first minister says Israel has the right to protect its citizens from terror, but no country has a right to break international law.
"That is why this government has repeatedly called for an end to the 16-year blockade and siege of Gaza."
"Collective punishment can never be justified," says Humza Yousaf.
Humza Yousaf highlights that over 1,200 Israeli citizens killed by Hamas included Bernard Cowan, who wasoriginally from East Renfrewshire.
The first minister says he was a husband, father and grandfather and he relates meeting Mr Cowan's mother last month.
That's why the Scottish government is unequivocal in its demands that hostages are released, the FM adds.
The first minister goes on to say: "This chamber is, I hope, also unified in its resolute condemnation of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza."
Humza Yousaf says these two positions are not at odds with one another.
He tells the chamber: "All human life is equal.
"The life of a Palestinian is worth no less than the life of an Israeli and vice versa."
Humza Yousaf gets to his feet and begins by saying: "I will never forget the morning of the 7th of October."
The first minister says his wife and he awoke to messages from her mother Elizabeth who was in Gaza.
He goes on to say: "This chamber is unified in its resolute condemnation of Hamas's abhorrent terrorist attacks."
The debate on the situation in the Middle East is due to begin at 14:50.
Before the debate, the chamber is hearing a ministerial statement on the Scottish government priorities for the Autumn Statement.
If you want to watch the debate with us just click on the play icon at the top of the page.
Israel-Gaza war: Glasgow protestors march for immediate ceasefire
Thousands of people attended a pro-Palestinian rally in Glasgow at the weekend to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Demonstrators gathered in the east end of the city at Glasgow Green.
Protesters have held demonstrations in cities and towns across Scotland every weekend since hostilities began in the Middle East last month.
The Scottish government will shortly lead a debate in Holyrood on the situation after MPs in Westminster voted against a ceasefire.
Andrew Kerr
Scottish political correspondent
The interview with the first minister’s mother-in-law – now safely home from Gaza – has very much brought the conflict home.
Elizabeth El-Nakla admitted she felt she might die in Gaza and was also in tears as she described the Hamas attacks on Israelis.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have been gathering outside the Scottish Parliament to make their voices heard.
Some have questioned why a devolved parliament should have such a debate and vote; others argue it’s part of the democratic lifeblood of Scotland and it’s important its voice should be heard on huge international issues.
The first minister will lead calls for a ceasefire and will be backed by all the parties except the Conservatives.
They argue instead for “humanitarian pauses” – a “realpolitik”, pragmatic view it’s argued that’s backed by the UK Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer.
Awkwardly, the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and his party here want a ceasefire.
Even more awkwardly, his two Scottish Labour MPs back the Starmer position.
I understand that’s because Ian Murray MP is in the Shadow Cabinet and would be sacked if he took a different view.
For Michael Shanks MP, I understand it’s because he doesn’t actually agree with the Scottish party stance.
Labour north and south of the border are left trying to talk up the points they agree on.
The SNP have been highlighting this divide.
It looks like the SNP will back Labour’s amendment to call for a role for the International Criminal Court.
That eases a bit of tension between the two on an issue that has exercised Scottish politics - but what happens here does not factor into the international situation.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnas Sarwar and Labour leader Keir Starmer have diverged on the issue of a ceasefire
Last week at Westminster Sir Keir Starmer suffered a major rebellion over his stance on the Israel-Gaza war, with 56 of his MPs voting for an immediate ceasefire.
Jess Phillips, Afzal Khan and Yasmin Qureshi were among shadow ministers who quit their roles to back the motion from the SNP, external.
Both Scottish Labour MPs, Ian Murray and Michael Shanks, abstained.
Ten of the party's frontbenchers have left their jobs over the vote, including eight shadow minsters.
Sir Keir has instead backed pauses in the conflict to deliver aid.
Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer have diverged on the issue of a ceasefire.
Sarwar told BBC Scotland's Sunday Show that he would have liked Labour's amendment to the SNP motion in the Commons vote "to go further ... and include that call for a ceasefire"
Image source, Getty ImagesScottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has backed calls for a ceasefire, unlike the UK Labour leadership
MSPs are set to back calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Scottish Labour says it will support an SNP motion, external at Holyrood despite a row over a proposed amendment from Anas Sarwar's party.
While backing the SNP call for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire", the Labour amendment notes it will require "all sides to comply" for it to work.
Labour said it would strengthen the motion, whereas the SNP suggested it would be weakened.
Image source, SKYElizabeth El-Nakla and her daughter Nadia were interviewed for Sky News
The first minister's mother-in-law has described the "living nightmare" of being trapped in Gaza for four weeks during the Israel-Hamas war.
Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged were visiting family when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October.
She admitted she felt she may die during their ordeal but that she had "left my heart in Gaza" when they were finally able to flee.
The couple's daughter Nadia is married to Humza Yousaf.
In an interview with Beth Rigby for Sky News, external, Ms El-Nakla said: "I [wake] up in the middle of the night and I hear silence in the dark and then I remember I'm home and that I'm safe. And I feel very grateful for that.
"You really do think every day or every night you will die, and the family that are under your roof as well. And that's hard to comprehend and hard to get over."
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the Holyrood debate on the situation in Israel and Gaza.
The debate is due to begin at 14:50 and we'll bring you written reports and analysis and the vote at 17:00.
If you want to watch the debate, just click on the play icon at the top of this page.