SNP MSP John Mason stands by comment on Israel

Mr Mason said Israel, as well as Jews in Scotland, felt “very much under threat”.

He added: “I would like to see Scotland, the UK, acting more as a peacemaker, rather than cheering on either side.”

Asked about losing the whip, Mr Mason responded: “Sometimes you have to do the right thing and just take the consequences.”

The MSP, who also met Ms Grudsky, said it was Mr Robertson’s role to meet people from all around the world, even those he may disagree with.

He said: “We’re not going to get any solution to this unless people actually talk to each other.”

Mr Mason said he sought clarity on how the Israeli government was trying to resolve the conflict and what its aims were but was “disappointed” by the deputy ambassador’s answer.

He added: “The SNP exists and is united for Scottish independence, and my hope is that we can focus on that.”