Glasgow, Scotland — Professor Henry Lovat sipped his coffee one quiet Thursday morning at Eusebi Deli, pondering the current experience of Jewish people in Scotland. His expression shifted from a smile to a frown as he considered the challenges, remarking that being Jewish in Scotland today is “very difficult.”
Lovat, who teaches international law at Glasgow University and serves as president of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, then shared a troubling anecdote involving a local newspaper’s report. The article discussed heightened security for a Jewish-Catholic school, which prompted comments on social media questioning why measures were necessary for a community whose students were accused of committing genocide. “That is normal, and it shouldn’t be,” he remarked, reflecting the troubling atmosphere amidst rising tensions.
Scotland’s Jewish community, estimated to be around 6,000 individuals, has expressed growing concern over antisemitism, particularly since the outbreak of violence in Israel and Gaza in October. Rabbi David Rose, who regularly wears his kippah in Edinburgh, has faced verbal abuse while encountering hostile reactions from young people. Likewise, Jewish students have reported bullying, with one forced to leave her accommodation after fearing for her safety because of her flatmate’s aggressive outbursts.
The political climate has exacerbated these feelings of vulnerability. After attacks in Manchester and Australia, security at Jewish events has intensified, leaving some communities feeling uneasy. During a recent Hanukkah celebration in Edinburgh, police officers were seen patrolling with automatic weapons, a sign of the increased fears looming over Jewish gatherings.
Lovat articulated the profound anxiety within the community, stating that their fear is not merely hypothetical; it’s palpable. “It is not a low-grade fear, it’s a high-grade fear,” he said, acknowledging the mounting anxieties shared by local rabbis and the community’s security organization. Many are apprehensive that an attack on the Jewish community could occur in Scotland, driven by a perception that locals are being held accountable for actions taken overseas.
This atmosphere comes on the heels of contentious statements from government officials concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which have left many feeling alienated and targeted. Rabbi Rose criticized the rhetoric, asserting that government language around Israel has been inflammatory and detrimental to the Jewish community’s safety. He expressed frustration that the government took actions, such as flying the Palestinian flag, without consulting the community.
In Edinburgh’s Leith district, a recent campaign for a “Zionist-free” area heightened fears among local Jews, who feel they are being unfairly linked to geopolitical conflicts. One Jewish business owner in Leith described the tensions as “terrifying,” worrying about repercussions if their identity as Jews becomes known. Many in the community feel they should not have to conceal their faith out of fear for their safety.
Others, like Rabbi Pete Tobias from the Glasgow Reform Synagogue, noted a shift in the atmosphere over the past few years. While he hasn’t personally encountered increased antisemitism, he remains aware of a pervasive sense of insecurity within the community. He remarked that drills in Jewish schools now include training on how to respond to potential attacks, highlighting how normalized this fear has become in daily life.
Historically, Jewish people have called Scotland home for centuries, with evidence of their presence dating back to the 14th century. However, the Jewish population has dwindled significantly since a peak of around 20,000 after World War II. Many residents once enjoyed a renaissance in Jewish community life, but recent events have led to a resurgence of fear and uncertainty for their future here.
As Lovat concluded his morning at Eusebi Deli, he expressed his concern for the community’s resilience, emphasizing a troubling question that looms large in discussions among friends and family: at what point do they consider leaving? “This is my home,” he concluded, reflecting the deep ties and solemn uncertainties faced by many within Glasgow’s Jewish population.