Fears sanction calls risk hate crime on Jews

Concerns... Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw, and Palestinian flag

- By David Walker

THE First Minister has been warned that he risks the threat of attacks on Jews in Scotland following his latest calls for sanctions against Israel.

John Swinney has already made a number of demands to Westminster, including Holyrood recognising Palestine as a state despite Scotland, a devolved nation, not having power to do this.

Yesterday the SNP Government held a three-hour debate on the issue, where Mr Swinney announced plans to block trade between Scotland and Israel, as well as stopping funding arms companies implicated in the war. The First Minister also demanded Westminster quit the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, and prohibit the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Executive will "instruct relevant delivery bodies where possible" not to facilitate trade between Scotland and Israel".

And £1million of taxpayers' cash will go towards additional humanitarian aid and will explore "practical measures to bring Scotland's expertise within our legal establishment, universities and civil society to contribute to gathering and preserving evidence that may be used in international criminal cases".

His comments provoked Scottish Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw, who represents a large Jewish community in Eastwood, to warn the SNP that its new Israel policy may risk attacks on the already worried community.