Last week, as the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesperson at Westminster, I was among the first MPs to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.

I did so on humanitarian grounds, and because it’s increasingly obvious that there can be no military solution to this conflict, and only when the killings stop can progress be made towards finding a political solution.

It’s also clear that there is now a real danger that this conflict could ignite a tinderbox, one which could drag the entire region into a prolonged and bloody conflict.

With such high stakes, I find it absolutely remarkable that Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer, remain steadfast in their refusal to support calls for that immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

I have unreservedly condemned the appalling terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 and I've said that Israel has the right to find and hold to account those responsible, but any Israeli response must be proportionate, and comply with international humanitarian law.

Sadly, Israel’s response has been neither legal nor proportionate, with an entire civilian population of Gaza being made to suffer a “collective punishment” for the despicable actions of a relatively small group of terrorists.

Gaza is home to 2.5 million people, including more than 1 million children, and they are all crammed into a tiny patch of land which is 20 times smaller than my Argyll and Bute constituency.

In the three weeks since the Hamas attack, Israel has dropped more than 12,000 tons of explosives on Gaza, killing 7,000 Palestinians, including 3,000 innocent children.

As a “collective punishment” Israel has cut off the water supply to Gaza. It has also cut off supplies of food, power and well as vital medical aid.

The borders have been closed so desperate, terrified civilians cannot escape the bombing.

Since this conflict began, I have engaged with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the ambassadors of Palestine, Jordan and Qatar and many others, including representatives of Oxfam, Amnesty International, Medical Aid for Palestinians, CAABU, and Christian Aid, who report that because of the lack of power the health sector has collapsed and a lack of clean water, means there is a public health emergency looming, with fears of a cholera outbreak.

In the words of Oxfam, this is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and that is why an immediate and unconditional ceasefire is an essential first step to securing justice and peace, because without justice, there can be no genuine peace, and this cycle of violence will continue resulting in even more innocent lives being lost.

The people of Gaza need world leaders to demand an end to this carnage. If they don’t, history, I predict, will be a very harsh judge.