Scottish Parliamentary leader highlights impact of Jewish communities council

The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Ken Macintosh, has praised the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities for its impact over the past 20 years.

Addressing a SCoJeC meeting, the MSP said the council had “made a huge difference.

“It is a very effective organisation, doing a very difficult job. From the perspective of Parliament, it has always been effective, making the views of the community known, speaking with common sense, balance, and experience.”

SCoJeC had forged a reputation disproportionate to the size of the Jewish community and was trusted for its authority and accuracy, Mr Macintosh added.

In his previous constituency, Eastwood, in the heart Glasgow Jewry, he had organised Yom Ha’atzmaut events and an exhibition in Parliament on Israeli achievements. It was important that the voices of all sides were heard on the Middle East.

He described the rise in antisemitism as “perplexing, disturbing, and extremely worrying. After 20 years, public opinion should be going in the direction of greater tolerance – it’s really depressing.

“It’s upsetting that my former party [Labour] seems unable or unwilling to face up to or deal with antisemitism. There is a spectrum of views – opposition to the Israeli government, opposition to Israel itself, and opposition to Jews. The question is how to break the cycle. Getting people to talk respectfully to one another rather than shout is the first step.”

Noting the high number of anti-Israel motions in the Scottish Parliament – 26 about Gaza, with only 4 casting Israel in a positive light – Mr Macintosh said he understood how Jews were hurt when people spoke about Israel in a way they would not about other countries.

But the multi-faith campus housing Glasgow Jewish primary school Calderwood and SCoJeC’s interfaith activities were beacons of hope.

“Thanks to the reputation you’ve built, the future looks more rosy.”