THE proposed Rosebank oil development would “financially benefit a company linked to human rights violations against Palestinians” and must be opposed, campaigners demanded today.

In an open letter to SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, a coalition of 69 climate human rights organisations — including Stop Rosebank, Amnesty International, the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and tenants’ union Living Rent — have praised his stance on the Israeli genocide in Gaza, but called for him to match it on Rosebank.

The letter comes days after Norwegian state-owned oil giant Equinor resubmitted its application to the Westminster government to exploit the massive 300 billion barrel field to the west of Shetland. 

While Equinor holds an 80 per cent stake, it is the role of Ithica Energy, majority-owned by Israeli fuel giant Delek Group, which has added human rights to the environmental concerns over the development.

The conglomerate supplies the Israeli forces and appears on a UN list of businesses whose activities in the occupied West Bank have “raised particular human rights concerns” but stands to coin-in “nearly a quarter of a billion pounds more” should Rosebank be green-lighted, according to campaigners.

Urging Mr Flynn to oppose Rosebank, the letter noted: “It cannot be morally right for Scotland to allow our natural resources to become a revenue stream for a company operating in illegal Occupied Palestinian Territories and which supports the Israeli military.

“We therefore appeal to you to build on your commendable solidarity with Palestine, by raising this issue with the Prime Minister and publicly opposing the development of the Rosebank oil field.”

Branding the development “indefensible,” Stop Rosebank group’s Lauren MacDonald said: “It is already a climate disaster, while doing next to nothing for the UK as it’s mainly oil for export – but worse, it would be a human rights disaster too.

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s Dave Black added: “Stephen Flynn has rightly spoken out against the genocide in Gaza by the Israeli government and pressed the UK government into stronger action on Palestine.

“We have a responsibility in Scotland to make sure that we are doing everything we can to defend the rights of Palestinians.

“Stopping the flow of money from the North Sea to a company that is contributing to their ongoing oppression has to be part of that effort.”

The SNP was contacted for comment.