jEWISH tELEGRAPH, fRI 28 mAY 2010:
Antisemitism is no problem
(Also read SPSC commentary: Scottish First Minister: Israel is a foreign state, not a Scottish community)
SCOTLAND'S First Minister Alex Salmond does not believe that antisemitism is a problem in Scotland.
Mr Salmond told 100 members of the community at Mearns Castle High School on Tuesday: "The Jews in Scotland aren't facing a wave of antisemitic behaviour that is jeopardising this community.
"I don't believe that the Jewish community is under siege nor do I believe that it feels itself to be under siege.
"I was appalled to learn about the graffiti that appeared in Glenduffhill Cemetery last year, but it was not the forerunner to a pattern of abuse, but an individual act of malice."
Addressing the Glasgow Jewish Educational Forum, Mr Salmond added: "I am sensitive to the feelings of the people in communities who believe that there is a difficulty.
"We will root out antisemitic and racist behaviour through the courts wherever we find it and will do everything we can to monitor such behaviour.
"Our nation has been forged by inward and outward migration. Diversity brings richness to our lives and, as a Scot, I have benefited from the range of communities in Scotland.
"It's remarkable how little people remember of the contributions their communities have made. Celebrating these contributions helps to promote a cohesive society."
The First Minister also told the audience that it was possible to be critical of Israel without being anti-Jewish or antisemitic.
"The Jewish people in Scotland aren't judged by the actions of the State of Israel, nor do I think that you should accept that you are being judged by the policies of Israel," he said.
"People have the right to engage in peaceful demonstrations and political commentary."
Scottish Council of Jewish Communities public affairs officer Leah Granat asked Mr Salmond what his response would be to an incident that happened in the past where the sole Jewish pupil at a village school was being bullied because 'the Jews killed Jesus' and when the mother spoke to the teacher, her reply was 'well you did kill Jesus'.
Mr Salmond replied: "The attitude of the teacher was ignorant and indefensible, but it is not typical of Scots or teachers in Scotland and should not be seen as such.
"I would stop every racist or prejudiced act if I could, but it just isn't in my power to do so."
On the subject of sharing a platform with the BNP, Mr Salmond said: "It is a very difficult question. It looks curious to maintain a no platform policy when they are given coverage by the BBC.
"Nick Griffin didn't come across well on Question Time, but he wasn't put under any pressure. He should have been shown up for what he is.
"Our party is going to debate the position again - it's a classic dilemma for democratic voices. If we do change, then I'll make sure that our people are better prepared to challenge them than Jack Straw was."
Mr Salmond was asked that given the fact Lockerbie Bomber, Abdel baset al-Megrahi was still alive almost a year after his release, if he still supported the decision to release him last August.
He was also asked if he felt that the Scottish government had alienated the US with the decision.
The First Minister said: "I do support the Justice Minister's decision. It is right to show compassion even to people who have committed horrendous deeds, provided that they pose no threat to society. The precept of any of our great religions would tell us that.
"You cannot be sure about timescales when dealing with terminal illness. I think that the return to his home country and family together with the decision of the Libyan doctors to apply radical treatment may have contributed to his longevity.
"Kenny MacAskill made the decision for the right reasons and I don't think that it has caused any change in our relations with the United States. People who disagree with us on some issues are well able to support Scotland."
Tony Tankel, of GJEF, said: "It's wonderful that the First Minister has spent more than two hours speaking to our community not once, but twice within two years and we are extremely grateful."
But not everyone was happy with the outcome. Mrs Granat said: "To describe the grafitti daubed at Glenduffhill cemetery as 'one-off' is incorrect and misses the point.
"Even low-grade incidents such as abuse shouted from a passing car or the casual use of 'Jew' to signify meanness, can and do cause distress.
"The community should be encouraged to report incidents however trivial - not disbelieved and discouraged - after all, if they think they won't be believed, then why bother."
The event was chaired by Michael Samuel.
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(Also: see Jewish Chronicle's: Salmond: Scotland's Jews are not persecuted)
