On the 15th of October, 2023, Nadia El-Nakla, the wife of Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, made a heartfelt plea for international action during her speech at the Scottish National Party (SNP) conference in Aberdeen. The emotional address not only drew attention to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza but also brought to light the deeply personal and painful situation that El-Nakla’s own family is enduring as they remain trapped in the war-torn region. El-Nakla’s powerful words resonate with a sense of despair and urgency, imploring world leaders to step in and prevent the complete annihilation of Gaza and its people.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Growing Tragedy
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated in recent years, with devastating consequences for the Palestinian population in Gaza. The situation reached a breaking point in October 2023, as Israeli military operations intensified in response to Hamas’s attacks, leading to widespread destruction, countless casualties, and dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The Palestinian enclave, already suffering from years of blockades and limited access to essential resources, has been plunged into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
Gaza’s Desperate Struggle for Survival
As El-Nakla shared her experience, it became clear that the suffering of the people in Gaza is beyond comprehension. She recounted the chilling images of families being bombed in their homes, with no safe havens left for civilians. People are forced to sleep on football pitches, yet even these makeshift shelters are not safe from bombings. The medical situation is equally dire, with hospitals overwhelmed and lacking the necessary supplies to treat the wounded. Her brother, an emergency doctor in Gaza, had reached the point where he could no longer provide medical care due to the scarcity of resources, leaving many victims in critical conditions with no chance of survival.
One of the most heart-wrenching parts of El-Nakla’s speech was her account of the lack of basic necessities such as food, water, and electricity. She described the situation as an attack on humanity, where even the most fundamental rights to life and dignity are being stripped away from the people of Gaza. “We are seeing an attack on humanity,” she said, “Gaza is being obliterated like never before.” The severity of the situation is reflected in the desperate plea she made for international intervention to bring an end to the violence and suffering.
The Struggle for Medical Aid and Supplies
One of the most urgent needs in Gaza is medical aid. With hospitals overwhelmed and under-equipped, doctors like El-Nakla’s brother have been forced to make impossible decisions. As medical supplies dwindle, many hospitals have been reduced to triage centers, and some have been completely destroyed in airstrikes. The medical staff is struggling to cope with the sheer number of casualties, and the bodies of the dead are piling up in morgues, which are so full that makeshift solutions, such as using ice cream trucks to transport bodies, have become a grim reality.
The situation has led to an overwhelming sense of despair and helplessness, both for those in Gaza and their loved ones abroad. The lack of supplies is not just a logistical challenge; it is a matter of life and death for the people of Gaza. Families are losing loved ones at an alarming rate, and the medical professionals who would typically be able to save lives are now powerless to do so.
Nadia El-Nakla’s Personal Connection to Gaza
While El-Nakla’s call for action was rooted in humanitarian concern, it was also deeply personal. Her parents, who had recently traveled from Scotland to visit family in Gaza, found themselves trapped in the region as the conflict escalated. El-Nakla spoke about the anxiety and fear she felt as she watched her parents, along with countless others, endure the relentless bombings and violence. Her mother, in particular, was terrified, fearing that she may never be able to return home. This personal connection to the tragedy in Gaza made El-Nakla’s speech all the more powerful, as she highlighted the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
El-Nakla’s emotional appeal was not just a plea for her family’s safety, but for the safety of all those caught in the crossfire. As a member of the Palestinian diaspora, she has experienced the pain of war and displacement firsthand. Growing up in Gaza, El-Nakla lived through several wars, but she emphasized that the current crisis is different. The scale of destruction is unprecedented, and the toll it is taking on civilians is unimaginable.
The Global Response: A Call for Action
In her speech, El-Nakla implored world leaders to take action and end the cycle of violence that has plagued Gaza for decades. She criticized the UK government for its lack of meaningful action and for enabling Israel’s behavior towards the Palestinians. “I just think that message of support is enabling the behavior of Israel and gaslighting us at the same time by telling us they want them to have restraint,” she said. El-Nakla called for diplomatic intervention and humanitarian aid, urging the international community to take responsibility for ending the violence and providing relief to those who need it most.
The SNP conference responded to her plea with unanimous support, passing an emergency motion that called on the UK government to back United Nations demands for a humanitarian corridor. This corridor would allow civilians to leave Gaza and permit the delivery of much-needed aid. The motion also emphasized the importance of international diplomacy in resolving the conflict, advocating for peace over war.
Humza Yousaf, who stood by his wife during her speech, also voiced his concern about the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Yousaf described the situation as “unimaginable” and stressed the importance of solidarity with the people of Gaza. He also acknowledged the personal toll the conflict had taken on his family, particularly Nadia, who had been deeply affected by the situation.
The Importance of Diplomacy and Humanitarian Efforts
El-Nakla’s speech was a powerful reminder that the situation in Gaza is not just a political issue; it is a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate attention. The international community must prioritize diplomacy over the use of force and work towards a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of their background or nationality.
A key component of this resolution is the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to allow for the safe evacuation of civilians and the delivery of essential aid. As El-Nakla emphasized, this crisis is not a natural disaster but a man-made tragedy that can be stopped if world leaders come together to negotiate peace and provide humanitarian assistance. The UK government and other world powers must play a leading role in facilitating these efforts and ensuring that Gaza’s people receive the help they need.
Conclusion: The Need for Immediate Action
Nadia El-Nakla’s speech at the SNP conference was a poignant and urgent call to action. It underscored the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the desperate need for international intervention. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza cannot be ignored any longer. World leaders must take immediate action to bring an end to the violence, provide aid to those in need, and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
As El-Nakla so powerfully stated, “Give the children of Gaza a chance of life.” The international community must heed this call and work together to prevent further suffering and loss of life. It is only through concerted diplomatic efforts and humanitarian action that the people of Gaza can begin to rebuild their lives and look forward to a future of peace and stability.
