Scotland's first minister volunteers country to be 'sanctuary' for Gaza refugees, says America should as well

The first minister of Scotland announced that the country is willing to be the first nation to accept refugees from Gaza and would be a "sanctuary" in what he hopes would be a "worldwide refugee scheme."

First Minister Humza Yousaf, the head of the Scottish government, wrote on his X account that "the people of Gaza are a proud people" whom his country would be willing to take in.

"Many don't want to leave, and shouldn't have to. But for those displaced, who want to leave, there should be a worldwide refugee scheme. Scotland is willing to be a place of sanctuary and be the first country to take those refugees," Yousaf wrote.

"The people of Gaza and the people of Palestine ... my wife is Scottish Palestinian, and I can tell you they're very proud people and right to be proud," Yousaf said in an attached video. "They're proud of their culture, they're proud of their county, they're proud of their land."

"So many of them don't want to leave, and neither they should have to leave," the minister went on. "The world should be involved," he continued, while mentioning Europe and America, among others.

The first minister also noted how "generous" Scotland is, as the country has given refuge to Ukrainians and Syrians.

"Let's say that Scotland will be a place of sanctuary," he added.

Yousaf is a Muslim born in Scotland to Pakistani parents and is married to a Palestinian-Scot.

During an interview at the Scottish National Party's annual conference, Yousaf said that he felt "powerless" to protect family members who are in Gaza, including his father- and brother-in-law. According to TimCast, the first minister also shared a video message from his mother-in-law and called on Israel to open humanitarian corridors.

“[It’s an] appeal to the international community, to set up international corridors, to end collective punishment, to allow supplies to come in, to allow the innocent people of Gaza to come out,” Yousaf said.

"What cannot happen, regardless of [Israel’s] military tactic, is for innocent men, women, and children to pay the price. What has to happen now, immediately, today is the opening up of a humanitarian corridor," Yousaf urged.

The Scottish official also said Israel needs to allow supplies, medicine, food, and fuel to flow into Gaza, as it has been claimed that Israeli forces have sanctioned off all incoming supplies.

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