Is Antisemitism a Problem in Scotland?

Antisemitism in Scotland has a documented historical presence but is not representative of mainstream Scottish society today. The picture is mixed and contested.

Historical Context

• 1180s: Expulsion of Jews by William I (no medieval community re-established until 17th c.).
• 19th–early 20th c.: Antisemitic tropes in some political, religious, and intellectual circles (e.g., John Buchan's fiction, Protestant missionary rhetoric).
• 1930s–40s: British Union of Fascists activity in Glasgow; refugee hostility.

Contemporary Evidence

• Incidents: CST (Community Security Trust) records ~10–30 antisemitic incidents/year in Scotland (vandalism, verbal abuse, online). Per capita lower than UK average.
• Surveys: 2017 Survation poll: 11% of Scots held ≥1 antisemitic attitude (UK avg 13%).
• Political: Debates over Israel/Palestine sometimes cross into antisemitic rhetoric (both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel spaces).

Countervailing Forces

• Legal: Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 strengthens protections.
• Communal: Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC), Interfaith Scotland, police partnerships.
• Cultural: Strong self-identity as inclusive, "civic nationalist" society; Holocaust Memorial Day widely observed.

Assessment

Antisemitism exists in Scotland—as in every European country—but levels are relatively low, institutional response is robust, and Jewish community life (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen) is vibrant and secure. Generalizing "Scots are antisemitic" is false and itself prejudicial.