Nearly 3,000 citizens have signed a letter to Scottish First Minister John Swinney, warning that his government’s anti-Israel policies are fueling antisemitism and endangering Jewish lives. The letter, organized by Scotland Against Antisemitism, came in response to Swinney’s announcement that Scotland would suspend new contracts with arms companies supplying Israel, justifying the move by claiming, “in the face of genocide, there can be no business as usual.” Jewish activists strongly criticized the statement, arguing it unfairly demonizes Israel and emboldens antisemitic hostility. Leah Benoz, founder of the group, stressed that such measures “will not save a single Palestinian life, but will put Jewish life in Scotland further at risk.”

Swinney further explained that funding would be halted for companies linked to countries accused of genocide, explicitly naming Israel, while also calling for recognition of a Palestinian state in line with positions recently floated by the British government. The letter highlighted Scotland’s Jewish community’s vulnerability, noting that although Jews make up only 0.093% of the population, they accounted for nearly 17% of religiously motivated hate crimes last year. Activists say Swinney’s rhetoric is exacerbating these risks, urging him to retract his policy and prioritize the safety of Scotland’s Jewish citizens amid escalating global tensions.

SOURCE: Israel National News