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Scottish Justice Minister condemns ‘disgusting’ abuse of Israeli Celtic player

Statement followed Jewish Leadership Council regional manager Danielle Bett's intervention

January 8, 2021 13:06
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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - APRIL 21: Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf MSP makes his Ministerial Statement on coronavirus as social distancing rules are introduced while sitting 2at the Scottish Parliament on April 21, 2020 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. The British government has extended the lockdown restrictions first introduced on March 23 that are meant to slow the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Andrew Cowan - Pool/Getty Images
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Scotland’s Justice Minister has issued a condemnation of the “disgusting” abuse directed at Celtic’s Israeli midfielder Nir Bitton, saying “antisemitism deserves the same contempt as Islamophobia and any other prejudice.”

Humza Yousaf, the Scottish National Party MSP for Glasgow Pollok, responded following an intervention from the Jewish Leadership Council’s Scottish region manager Danielle Bett this week.

Highlighting the JC’s report on the torrent of abuse directed at the Celtic player - including slurs that he was a  “dirty Jew” - after last Sunday’s Old Firm clash with Rangers,  Ms Bett tweeted: “Would love to see more condemnations of this from those who would usually condemn racism in football anywhere.

“I’m not interested in the teams, allegiances or football.