Scotland Against Antisemitism warns government that Israel boycott risks inflaming Jew hatred - Mathilda Heller

 

by Mathilda Heller

Scotland Against Antisemitism ended by calling on the government to "retract its inflammatory language" and "meet with the Jewish community to discuss how the government plans to protect us."

 

Demonstrators hold Palestinian flags outside Bute House as Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Scotland's First Minister John Swinney at Bute House in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain July 7, 2024.

(photo credit: REUTERS/LESLEY MARTIN) 

Almost 3,000 people had signed an open letter warning the Scottish government that its recent boycott against Israel may intensify antisemitism in the country. On September 3, the government announced it had paused funding to arms companies supplying Israel.

The letter, organized by the group Scotland Against Antisemitism, has gathered almost 3000 signatures, including lawyers, politicians, educators, clergy, and students. While there are only 5000 Jews in Scotland (less than 0.1% of the population), Scottish Jews were the target of 17% of all religiously-motivated hate crimes in 2024.

“The Scottish Government has no power over foreign policy, and the proposed funding cuts are tiny and will have no effect on events in the Middle East," said Leah Benoz, Founder and Director of Scotland Against Antisemitism. "Not one Palestinian life will be saved by these measures, but Jewish life in Scotland will be put further at risk. Our question to Mr Swinney is simple: Is our safety really a price worth paying for this kind of gesture politics?”

The letter condemned First Minister John Swinner for claiming there is "prima facie evidence" that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The letter noted that the accusation of genocide is one of the gravest under international law and requires an exceptional standard of proof alongside irrefutable evidence of intent. Given this is not the case with Israel, the letter accuses the Scottish government of a modern-day blood libel by espousing these views.

"It appears the government has calculated that the cost of alienating Scotland’s Jews will be outweighed by electoral rewards," the letter added.

Scotland v Israel - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - October 9, 2021 General view as people display signs and Palestine flags outside the stadium before the match Action (credit: REUTERS/LEE SMITH)

Calls for gov't to meet with Jewish community

Scotland Against Antisemitism ended by calling on the government to "retract its inflammatory language" and "meet with the Jewish community to discuss how the government plans to protect us."

In his speech to parliament, Swinney also announced that the funding otherwise being given to weapons companies will now be redirected to taking a deployable hospital in Gaza, which he said will provide essential surgical, maternity, and paediatric services to thousands of patients every year.

Swinney also announced he will donate £600,000 to the UNOCHA-led Humanitarian Fund for the "Occupied Palestinian Territories" and will bring up to 20  injured children from Gaza to Scotland for treatment.

Mathilda Heller

Source: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-866658

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