Scotland’s top official announced Wednesday his government has paused funding to weapons manufacturers that sell arms to Israel, as he ordered the Palestinian flag to be raised above Scottish government buildings. First Minister John Swinney made the announcement as members of the Scottish Parliament voted 65 to 24 to recognize the state of Palestine, urging the U.K. government to follow suit.

First Minister John Swinney: “In the face of genocide, there can be no business as usual. We will pause new awards of public money to arms companies whose products or services are provided to countries where there is plausible evidence of genocide being committed by that country. That will include Israel.”