A letter signed by nearly 3,000 people has been delivered to Scottish First Minister John Swinney, warning that his recent statements and policies regarding Israel are endangering Jewish communities in Scotland and fuelling antisemitism. The letter was organised by ‘Scotland Against Antisemitism’ following Swinney’s announcement that the Scottish Government would pause all new public contracts with arms companies supplying Israel, citing „plausible evidence of genocide,” reports Jewish News Syndicate.
In his statement last Thursday, Swinney justified the move by saying, „In the face of genocide, there can be no business as usual.” This remark, and the decision itself, sparked concern among Jewish activists who argue that such rhetoric inflames antisemitic attitudes while doing nothing to help Palestinians. Both Israel and the United States have rejected accusations that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza constitutes genocide.
Leah Benoz, founder and director of Scotland Against Antisemitism, issued a statement saying, „Not one Palestinian life will be saved by these measures, but Jewish life in Scotland will be put further at risk.” The letter to Swinney urges him to retract what the signatories call „inflammatory language,” specifically the use of the term „genocide,” and to engage meaningfully with the Scottish Jewish community. It also calls for „concrete measures to protect Jewish safety.”
Swinney’s arms procurement boycott was accompanied by a renewed call for the recognition of a Palestinian state. The British Government has also indicated it may formally recognise Palestinian statehood in the coming days, contingent on conditions such as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The letter highlights the disproportionate level of antisemitic incidents in Scotland. Although the Jewish population in Scotland is estimated at just 5,000 people—approximately 0.093% of the total population—Jewish individuals were the targets of around 17% of all religiously motivated hate crimes recorded last year.
The controversy underscores growing tensions in Scotland and across the UK over the intersection of foreign policy, antisemitic rhetoric, and community safety. Critics argue that political language around the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has moved beyond legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and now risks inciting hostility toward Jewish citizens at home.
Photo credit: The Government of Scotland
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