The Scottish Government has suspended meetings with Israel after External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson was forced to apologise for meeting with an Israeli diplomat.
The SNP had faced criticism following Mr Robertson's meeting with Daniela Grudsky, Israel's Deputy Ambassador to the UK.
First Minister John Swinney took to social media to defend Mr Robertson last Wednesday, saying he "understands why some believe a face-to-face meeting was not appropriate", before outlining the importance of presenting the case for a ceasefire to Ms Grudsky.
In a statement released on Monday, Mr Robertson said: "The Scottish government has been consistent in our unequivocal condemnation of the atrocities we have witnessed in Gaza.
“The reality, however, is that this meeting has been taken by many to represent a normalisation of relations between the Israeli and Scottish governments.
“As such, it is clear that it would have been better to ensure that the meeting was strictly limited to the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the appalling loss of life in the region. I apologise for the fact that this did not happen."
He added: "My view was that given the Israeli UK Deputy Ambassador had requested a meeting it was an opportunity to express the Scottish government's clear and unwavering position on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and I did exactly that."
A number of Mr Robertson's party colleagues have openly criticised his decision to meet with Ms Grudsky, including Kevin Stewart, Emma Roddick and Elena Whitham.
The co-leader of the Scottish Greens, Patrick Harvie, labelled it an "astonishing error of judgement", but welcomed the apology.