From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
In cabinet meeting leak, Smotrich appears unaware Scotland is part of the UK – report
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Discussing last week’s UN General Assembly vote last week expanding Palestine’s standing at the international body, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly appeared to exhibit ignorance of Scotland’s lack of sovereignty during Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.
“Ireland was in favor,” Kan quotes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling the cabinet.
“Scotland didn’t vote?” asks Smotrich.
“It’s not a separate country, it’s part of Britain,” Netanyahu replies.
“So we can continue drinking Scotch whisky,” Smotrich reportedly says in response.
Last week, the assembly adopted a resolution with 143 votes in favor and nine against – including the US and Israel – while 25 countries abstained. It does not give the Palestinians full UN membership, but simply recognizes them as qualified to join.
The resolution “determines that the State of Palestine… should therefore be admitted to membership” and it “recommends that the Security Council reconsider the matter favorably.”
Scotland has been ruled from London since 1603 and united with England and Wales in 1707, forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
Reuters contributed to this report.
