SNP MP John Mason has been expelled from the party group after “completely unacceptable” social media posts about the Gaza conflict.
The move comes days after Foreign Secretary Angus Robertson was photographed alongside Israel’s deputy ambassador to the UK, Daniela Grudsky
Many SNP members are highly critical of Israel’s actions in the Middle East and the diplomatic clash sparked internal outrage.
But in an article on X, Mr Mason, who represents Glasgow Shettleston, wrote that the country’s actions in Gaza did not amount to “genocide”.
A spokesman for the SNP party leader responded: “It is completely unacceptable to dismiss lightly the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians.
“There is no place for this kind of intolerance within the SNP.
“The Chief Whip has today withdrawn the chair of John Mason with immediate effect, pending an internal Parliamentary Group process.”
The spokesman added that the SNP group would now meet to discuss the matter, with a proposal to suspend the group for a period of time, over what they described as an “absolutely appalling comment”.
The party leader’s withdrawal effectively removes Mr Mason from the SNP and he must sit as an independent MSP until the party is reinstated.
BBC Scotland News has asked Mr Mason for comment.
On Wednesday, Scottish First Minister John Swinney defended the face-to-face meeting with Ms Grudsky.
The Israeli military has launched a campaign in Gaza to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 that killed some 1,200 people and took 251 hostage.
More than 40,000 people have been killed since then, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.
