Sturgeon: ‘We will tackle antisemitism’
SCOTTISH FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has restated her commitment to tackling antisemitism following an online meeting with Scottish Jewish leaders.
The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities’ Nicola Livingston and Ephraim Borowski and Glasgow Jewish Representative Council’s Paul Edlin and Colin Grant had expressed concern about rising antisemitism, citing examples in schools and universities and highlighting the vulnerability of Jews in remote areas.
Ms Sturgeon told the quartet that she understood the community’s anxieties, also recognising that many incidents went unreported as people worried about repercussions, particularly if they were isolated from the mainstream community.
With regard to incidents on campus, she recalled a productive meeting with Jewish students and chaplains some years ago and offered to meet representatives again to provide assurance that their concerns were being taken seriously. She also expressed willingness to facilitate meetings with university vice-chancellors.
Ms Sturgeon declared that no events at home or abroad could justify antisemitism or religious hatred of any kind.
Other communal concerns raised included the possible coalition involving the SNP and the Green Party, the only party not to endorse the Jewish Manifesto, published to coincide with the recent Holyrood elections.
Ms Sturgeon said she understood the community’s unease but she could not speak on behalf of the Greens.
Speaking afterwards, the First Minister said the meeting had been “incredibly useful”, reiterating her stance that “antisemitism will not be tolerated in Scotland and we remain committed to tackling it.
“Later this year, we will report on the progress of our Tackling Prejudice and Building Connected Communities Action Plan and develop a new hate crime strategy in consultation with stakeholders, including SCoJeC and GJRC.
“I very much look forward to continued engagement.”
This could be through a public meeting as soon as conditions permit. SCoJeC hopes to arrange this by the end of the year as part of its hybrid event programme to allow for participation from Jews living across the country.
Ms Livingston thanked the First Minister for agreeing to the meeting and appreciated her “understanding of these sensitive and complex issues. Her willingness to suggest ways in which she can support the Jewish community across Scotland to feel safe and tackle rising antisemitic hate crime, as well as other matters of concern, is particularly welcomed.”
Mr Edlin said the meeting had been “most productive on a number of levels”.
I now very much look forward to continued engagement’