Angus Robertson to tour London Jewish institutions

Angus Robertson has said he is looking forward to visiting Jewish institutions in north London after meeting community leaders in Westminster.

Anti-Semitism and security were at the forefront of discussions with the leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons. Social care, education, and religious practise were also on the agenda alongside the Middle East peace process and the campaign to delegitimise Israel, which Robertson and East Renfrewshire MP Kirsten Oswald, whose constituency contains the largest Jewish community in Scotland, rejected.

The delegation – led by the Jewish Leadership Council chair Sir Mick Davis – also featured the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities Ephraim Borowski and representatives from the Board of deputies, CST and Jewish Care. Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, spoke about a new funding commitment from Nicola Sturgeon to support its Lessons from Auschwitz project and emphasised the importance of continued support for Holocaust education in Scotland.

Sir Mick Davis, Chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council, said: “Today’s meeting with Angus Robertson MP and Kirsten Oswald MP was an excellent opportunity for us to exchange views on a range of important issues to British Jewry. Supporting Jews across the UK, and particularly in Scotland, is central to the JLC’s work and we are pleased that colleagues from various organisations, including SCoJeC, were in attendance.

Both Mr Robertson and Ms Oswald are committed to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, utterly rejected the delegitimisation of Israel, and reiterated their commitment and that of the Scottish government to unreservedly combat anti-Semitism in all its forms. Mr Robertson was very engaged and asked that we continue the conversation. We look forward to greater engagement with the Scottish National Party, both in Scotland and Westminster.”

Angus Robertson MP said: “My colleague Kirsten Oswald MP and I were delighted to meet with the Jewish Leadership Council today. This was an important meeting to build on the SNP’s relationship with the Jewish community and an opportunity to reaffirm our message that anti-Semitism is completely unacceptable. Each of us has a role to play ensuring that all forms of bigotry are not tolerated – there is just no place for it in a modern society. I look forward to visiting Jewish institutions in London and to continuing our dialogue with the community.”