An SNP candidate is being urged to withdraw from upcoming local government elections in Scotland over the discovery of a “disgusting, antisemitic” post on Facebook.

Wullie Graham, who will be standing in the south Glasgow ward of Pollok on 5 May, wrote that it was “sickening that Israeli Jews bring up their kids to hate and kill” — alongside a photo of an American-Jewish family.

The man in the image was kippah-wearing Bill Bernstein, a former gun shop owner from Nashville in the US, who could be seen posing with his daughter, Gertrude. Both were holding guns in the photo.

The discovery of the seven-year-old post prompted a furious response from political rivals. Thomas Kerr, leader of the Tory group on Glasgow City Council — the body Mr Graham hopes to join next month — said: “It’s clear from his disgusting, antisemitic post that this candidate is not fit to stand for — still less hold — public office. The SNP must sack him as a candidate immediately.”

Labour Group leader Malcolm Cunning added: “Those with ambitions to elected office should not be parroting antisemitic tropes or spreading falsehoods on social media.”

Sammy Stein from Glasgow Friends of Israel told The Herald: “I would remind your readers that it is not unusual for Palestinian terrorists to attack and kill Israeli civilians and therefore it is not unreasonable to ensure that even some children know how to defend themselves. This does not mean they are taught to hate or kill indiscriminately.”

The SNP said: “Mr Graham has apologised for a post in 2015 that he readily admits was stupid and indefensible.

“He has taken steps to reach out to the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities as he seeks to make amends and learn from this.”