Amnesty International reported on 5th December 2024 that it found sufficient basis to conclude Israel has committed prohibited acts under the Genocide Convention and that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Parties to the Convention, of which the UK is one, undertake “to prevent and to punish” the crime of genocide. Prior to this, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has already found Israel to be an apartheid state, and that international governments and organisations must take steps to end it. As a signatory to the Gleneagles Agreement, Scotland is obligated by both the spirit and letter of the Agreement to boycott sporting organisations, teams or competing nationals from any country “where sports are organised by race, colour or ethnic origin."

Given the implications about the apartheid nature of the Israeli state issued in the ICJ opinion on 19th July 2024, the Scottish Government is duty bound to defend the integrity of the Gleneagles Agreement and ensure that no sporting ties take place with athletes from countries with apartheid sporting policies. This duty required from the Scottish Government supersedes any decision taken by tournament organisers World Bowls to invite the nationals of the apartheid state. If World Bowls does not comply with its obligation under the ICJ to rescind its invitation to Boaz Markus, then the Scottish government must intervene!

Please take 10 seconds to send our letter to World Bowls and the Scottish Government to tell them that there can be no sporting stage for apartheid and genocide.