STUC MEET THE SCOTTISH COUNCIL OF JEWISH COMMUNITIES

The STUC met with the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities on the evening of Thursday 9 November 2006, at the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities’ premises in Giffnock.

On the first substantive agenda item, “Anti Semitism”, the SCJC reported disturbing events, including attacks on a young Jewish boy by boys of Asian origin, and the receipt of an abusive anti-Semitic postcard to a leading Jewish community figure. The report of the All Party Inquiry into Anti Semitism was noted and discussed.

A wide discussion on community relations was had, with a number of issues covered including engagement with Muslim communities, and the SCJC expressing concerns at the Vulnerable Adults Bill’s failure to include the Voluntary Sector and the impact of this.

An interesting discussion followed on the STUC’s Middle East statement. The SCJC expressed concern that the STUC statement expressed particular solidarity with civilians in Lebanon, yet did not make similar reference to civilians in Israel. The SCJC did however welcome the commitment to a two state solution for Israel and Palestine set out in the STUC statement. The STUC agreed to forward to the SCJC the response to the statement it had received from the Foreign Office.

Finally the STUC thanked the Scottish Council Jewish Communities for producing an article for the St Andrew’s Day Anti Racism event programme. The SCJC again expressed its regret that Jewish people were unable to participate actively in the event because it was held on a Saturday.

It was agreed to meet again in February or March of 2007.