For years, Scotland was proud that it was the sole European nation never to have experienced violence against its Jewish community. But this security has now vanished with rise in number of Scots joining extremists groups like the Scottish Palestine Solidarity. We have notice a huge increase in anti-Jewish and Israel sentiment across Scotland, and this highlighted by so many Scottish Jews reporting rising levels of anti-Semitism .
In 2012, a delegation of Jewish students warned Edinburgh University that campus anti-Zionism had created a “toxic” atmosphere, leading a number of Jewish students to quit their degrees or transfer elsewhere. Scottish trade unions have been in the forefront of the boycott, divest and sanction group, calling for cutting ties with Benjamin Netanyahu's government. In 2013, the Church of Scotland issued a blistering report denying the legitimacy of Zionism and the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state.
During the recent war in Gaza, anti-Zionist sentiment reach hit new highs never experienced before, with local council in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Fife (to mention only few) flying Palestinian flags above official buildings. In August 2014, the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities called on national bodies to recognise growing levels of anti-Semitism in the country. “The level of anxiety is unprecedented” said the leader of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council.
Could anything be done or said by the SNP government to stem the tide, or will Jew-hatred persist as long as there are Jews to hate?
For a few decades after the Holocaust, it seemed that anti-Semitism might wane or even die out. That hope has now been defeated, I am not talking about elsewhere in the world I am talking about my own country Scotland. I would like to know why us Jews are increasingly unwelcome in the 21st century? Why wearing visibly Jewish clothing such as a kippa in Glasgow or Edinburgh streets means risking verbal abuse or even physical violence. The Jewish community is proud of its long-standing and significant role in all aspects of Glasgow life and the present time they were genuinely concerned at the serious increase in anti-Semitic levels.
On Saturday the 6 of September I went to Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow where a Jewish cosmetics store/stall called Jericho which was located on the second floor amongst other most fashionable stores to show my support and to buy a product or two for my wife. I was faced with an effective blockaded by pro Palestinians demonstrators, who have often stopped or deterred would-be shoppers from gaining access to the store with intimidation and harassment while security who were present stood by and none intervened to move these thugs away. I believe in the right to peaceful protest but this was something else. This was frightening as a bunch SPSC thugs screaming and shouted in my face, and chanted at me: “There is blood on the products you bought” and wilfully intimidating others in the hope that they would be too afraid to go near the store.
SPSC followers, in engaging in what many see as criminal behaviour, makes clear that the goal is to have Jericho moved on due to the concerns of other retailers and the possible disruption caused by the continued protests. In Germany, in the 1930s, this style of boycott was all too familiar as hatred of Jews was building towards the 'Final Solution'. Similar tactics are now being advocated towards the Jewish State of Israel....and to what end?
An extremist and racist anti-Israel group, SPSC has a recorded history of interaction with Holocaust deniers and Hamas sympathisers. Andrew Stunnell MP, during his tenure as spokesman for the UK Government Minister for Communities, described SPSC as “offensive” and several SPSC members have been convicted of racially aggravated crimes in relation to similar harassment and intimidation. Recently, Sheriff Charles Macnair QC, at Cupar Sheriff Court, described a convicted SPSC activist thus:
“This was a racist incident. Nobody disputes your right to a political view as to the behaviour of Israel – that’s perfectly legitimate…. In particular the part of your behaviour which I find most serious was that you described Mr Reitblat as a terrorist because of his association with Israel. It’s the direct equivalent of those who suggest that all Muslims are terrorist.”
Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, upon which the demonstrators so heavily rely, and which may or may not apply in this situation, while confirming everyone has the right to freedom of expression, also states:
“The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others”.
After consultation with the Jewish community and the police the Centre management of Braehead Shopping Centre agreed to keep SPSC out of the Centre and, and promised if they get in, their security staff or the police would escort them out. I would be surprised if SPSC accepted that or that the Centre will keep their word.
However, last Saturday a small number of Jews and I went again to Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow and fully complied with the Jewish community leadership instructions to avoid any open displays of shirts, flags, posters etc. We were still encouraged to visit the stall sometime during Saturday, between 11am and 7pm to show our support for the business and staff. If there are demonstrators present, ‘caw canny’, but do not hesitate to complain to the security and if we felt harassed. We kept our flags, shirts or posters concealed acted as we usually do as all law-abiding citizens.
I’m sure some will hear from different sources as to what transpired at Braehead Glasgow that today.
Suffice to say that the Braehead Centre management decided that enough was enough and ordered the anti-Israel demonstrators to remove themselves to outside the entrance. It is understood that Mick Napier, SPSC ringleader, after several police warnings to desist or modify his behaviour at the Jericho Stall, was arrested and handcuffed along with another male. Thereafter, their fellow demonstrators removed themselves from the premises, standing quietly outside with their placards until they all left mid-afternoon. A small but significant victory for the good guys! Hope to see you in court (again) Mick!!
Renaud Sarda
The victory is ours Jericho thiefs have been removed from Braehead
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