Scottish Government and Israeli embassy/government meetings: FOI release

Information requested

1) All correspondence between the Israeli embassy and Scottish ministers or their staff between January 2023 - August 15 2024.

2) Dates and names of who was present at any meetings (virtual, telephone or in person) between anyone in the Scottish government and anyone who works for the Israeli government between January 2023 - August 15 2024.

3) A copy all correspondence regarding the visit of Daniela Grudsky, deputy Israeli ambassador to the UK, to Scotland in August 2023.

4) Minutes of any meeting that took place between Daniela Grudsky and Angus Robertson and a list of those who attended this meeting.

5) Any correspondence between Angus Robertson or his staff and Scottish Government communications staff about this meeting.

Response

For your first request an exemption under section 32(1)(a) of FOISA applies to all of the information you have requested. This exemption applies to any information that may cause substantial prejudice to international relations between the UK and any other state.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of the subject matter as well as the interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the Scottish and UK Governments being able to maintain good and honest relations with states they choose to engage with.

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested under requests 2), 3), 4) & 5) attached to this email in Annex A.

An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies to email conversations where the formulation or development of Scottish Government policy is discussed.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of the subject matter as well as the interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in officials being able to discuss formulation of policy in a free manner.

An exemption under section 29(1)(d) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies to email and Whatsapp conversations that are related to the operation of a Ministerial Private Office.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of the subject matter as well as the interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the effective running of Ministerial Private Offices in assisting Ministers with their day-to-day duties.

An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies to email conversations where members of the Scottish Government provide free and frank advice.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of the subject matter as well as the interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in government officials having the space to provide impartial advice.

An exemption under section 32(1)(a) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies to any information that may cause substantial prejudice to international relations between the UK and any other state.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of the subject matter as well as the interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the Scottish and UK Governments being able to maintain good and honest relations with states they choose to engage with.

An exemption(s) under section(s) 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies to personal data belonging to a third party. This includes names of civil servants as well as correspondence from third parties.

This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400426726 - Information Released - Annex

File type

94 page PDF

File size

1.2 MB