Glasgow council dismisses ‘vandalism’ claims at Jewish cemetery
Video circulating online falsely states Jewish graves in Glasgow had been targeted in an antisemitic attack
Glasgow City Council has moved to reassure the Jewish community after social media claims that a Jewish cemetery in the city had been vandalised were found to be false.
Footage shared online appeared to show dozens of headstones lying flat at the Glasgow (Garnethill) Hebrew Congregational Burial Ground within the Western Necropolis. One widely circulated post claimed that “up to 50 headstones” had been “pushed to the ground” in what it described as an “antisemitic attack”.
The post, which tagged several national media outlets, prompted concern online amid continuing fears over rising antisemitism across the UK.
But Glasgow City Council quickly issued a public response rejecting the claims and clarifying that the site was undergoing planned maintenance work.
In a statement posted on X, the council said: “This is not vandalism. Older headstones have been laid flat for safety reasons. Some are flat by design. Some have been laid down for repairs and restoration as part of work led by Glasgow Hebrew Burial Society.”
The Community Security Trust later confirmed it had made enquiries into the incident and had spoken directly with local Jewish representatives.
CST said: “We are aware of a video circulating online which appears to show potential vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in Scotland. We have made enquiries and can confirm that this is not a case of vandalism.
“This activity is part of maintenance work being carried out by the local council. We have spoken with local Jewish community representatives, who have received confirmation from the council that the site is undergoing routine maintenance.”
The clarification came after concern spread rapidly online, with some users linking the footage to recent antisemitic incidents elsewhere in Britain.
The Glasgow (Garnethill) Hebrew Congregational Burial Ground forms part of the city’s historic Jewish heritage and is connected to one of Scotland’s oldest Jewish communities.
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