Humza Yousaf ‘genuinely does not know’ if he’ll see in-laws once more
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irst Minister Humza Yousaf mentioned he “genuinely does not know” if he’ll see his in-laws, who’re presently trapped in Gaza, once more and feels “completely powerless” to assist them.
Elizabeth and Maged El-Nakla went to go to relations in Gaza final week and have become trapped after Hamas militants massacred a whole lot of Israelis on Saturday, triggering an escalation within the battle.
Mr Yousaf additionally accused the Israeli authorities of “going too far”.
He advised the BBC’s Chris Mason: “All of us have said that, myself included, but collective punishment cannot be justified.
“Yes, they are going too far, collective punishment cannot be justified. It is innocent men, women, children, babies, with nothing to do with Hamas, who are paying an extraordinary price for those atrocious attacks, that they have nothing to do with.”
On Friday, Mrs El-Nakla shared a video asking: “Where is the humanity?” which Mr Yousaf advised Sky News was a “really hard video to watch” for each him and his spouse, Nadia El-Nakla.
In an emotional interview, Mr Yousaf advised Beth Rigby, Sky’s political editor, he didn’t know if he would see his in-laws once more.
He mentioned: “I do not know, I genuinely do not know if I will see my in-laws again. Nadia doesn’t know she’s going to see her mum and dad again.
“And all we can do is watch the news and look at all the rolling coverage.”
Despite being First Minister of Scotland, Mr Yousaf advised Ms Rigby he felt “completely powerless” to assist his mom and father-in-law.
He mentioned: “All we can do is try to tell people’s story. I cannot tell you how powerless and helpless I feel.
“Your first instinct is to protect your family as best you can and I am completely powerless.”
Mr Yousaf additionally revealed that his youngest daughter, Amal, 4, requested him if “granny would be back in time for Halloween”, and that that they had advised her she was “scared of the thunder”.
They advised her that she can be again, however Mr Yousaf advised Sky News: “We honestly don’t know if she will.”
Mr Yousaf additionally spoke to Channel 5 News on Friday and mentioned he had been in contact with a “junior minister” from the Foreign Office, however he was “pretty disappointed” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had not been involved with him.
Mr Yousaf accomplished a spherical of interviews with broadcasters on Friday forward of the SNP convention in Aberdeen, which begins on Sunday.
Mr Yousaf mentioned he and his spouse have been “distressed” in regards to the scenario and pleaded with the worldwide neighborhood to open up humanitarian corridors so that individuals can depart Gaza.
He was requested if the Prime Minister had been in contact.
Mr Yousaf mentioned: “No. No, and that’s disappointing, but, look, I accept the Prime Minister has lots to do and lots to get on with.”