STEPHEN Flynn has rejected a suggestion from a BBC presenter that there is only a “cigarette paper” between his party’s stance on a ceasefire and that of the Labour and Conservative parties.

The SNP Westminster leader has already written to both the Prime Minister and the opposition leader urging them to “change course” and back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

It comes after Israel carried out air strikes in Rafah with dozens believed to have been killed, health officials have said.

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Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland, Flynn (above) was asked about his letter, but was asked if there was “any real difference” between the SNP’s position and Labour and the Tories.

Host Laura Maxwell said there was a “cigarette paper between where you are and they are” – a suggestion which Flynn rejected.

“No, I’m afraid there’s not. There’s much more than that. There’s a chasm and it’s because of the language which is being used,” he said.

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“The language which is being used, incidentally as you’ve outlined there by both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, effectively gives a veto on our foreign policy to both Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Neither of whom are interested in the lives, the safety of civilians in Palestine.”

Both Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Starmer have previously expressed support for a “sustainable ceasefire”.

However, both have faced criticism for their stance on the matter with Starmer facing a rebellion from more than 50 of his MPs back in November, who voted with the SNP in calling for a ceasefire.

Asked if either Netanyahu or Hamas were interested in what UK politicians have to say, Flynn replied: “Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu (below) should be interested in what British politicians say.

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“Firstly, Israel should be interested because we of course sell arms to Israel and we should stop selling arms to Israel whilst they are conducting acts of violence against Palestinian civilians.

“We also have a say because we are members of the United Nations. Up till now we have not voted in favour of a ceasefire, we should be voting in favour of a ceasefire. We’re also a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

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“So, yes what we say does have relevance but it also has relevance in the wider region because over the course of recent weeks and months we’ve now seen bombings in Syria, in Iran, in Lebanon, in Iraq, in Yemen.

“There is regional instability and we of course have a role to play in making sure that regional instability is dissipated and we can get peace.

“So of course they should be interested in what we say, particularly Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government.

“It’s why the UK needs to vote for a ceasefire and it’s why both Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak have shown cowardice on this matter.”

Elsewhere, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar reiterated his calls for an "immediate ceasefire" in a post on Twitter/X. 

He said: "Many Palestinians were told to take refuge in Rafah, where the humanitarian situation is now dire. 

"The Israeli forces offensive there will be a catastrophe. We need an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of hostages and a path to peace now."