John Swinney has welcomed the UK’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine, but has urged the Government to take further action.

The UK Government formally recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday.

The First Minister said the decision was overdue and urged the Government to impose more sanctions on members of the Israeli Government, pull out of the free trade deal with the country and end all military cooperation with Israel.

“[Formal recognition] has to be the start of a whole range of steps taken,” Swinney said.

“Such as additional sanctions on Israel, banning goods coming from occupied territories, and ensuring absolutely no arms sales to Israel, so that the people of Palestine can be protected and begin to rebuild their lives.”

The move comes after the UN commission said it h

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