Overview

• Nearly 3,000 people signed a Scotland Against Antisemitism letter to First Minister John Swinney urging him to retract language about “genocide,” engage with Jewish leaders, and set out concrete safety measures.
• The Scottish government confirmed Swinney met representatives of the Jewish community to offer assurances on security and reiterated that there is no place for antisemitism in Scotland.
• Swinney announced a pause on new public contracts and funding for arms suppliers whose products are used by states facing “plausible evidence of genocide,” explicitly including Israel, and he has called for recognition of a Palestinian state.
• Community data cited in coverage show rising concern: the CST recorded 1,521 UK antisemitic incidents from January to June, while CAA/YouGov polling found 21% of Britons now hold entrenched antisemitic attitudes.
• Jewish voices including Laura Schosloff and SAA’s Leah Benoz say recent measures and rhetoric will not save Palestinian lives but are making Jews in Scotland feel less safe.