THE number of anti-Semitic incidents in Glasgow soared in the last year, prompting fears of a new wave of religious hate crime.

 

Jewish leaders in Glasgow said there had been more than 30 incidents of abuse - an "unprecedented" number in the last six months.

In comparison, Paul Morron, President of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, said they had recorded "less than a handful per year" in 2012 and 2013.

Mr Morron said reports ranged from abusive or threatening calls or emails, offensive graffiti, Nazi salutes and foul language.

The Glasgow Jewish community is also on alert following an attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris earlier this month, where four people were killed.

It came after the January 7 killing of 12 people at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine.

Mr Morron said police had stepped up their patrols in areas with a high Jewish community in the city. There are estimated to be between 5000 to 6000 Jews living in the area.

It came after a YouGov survey led by the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism published last week showed showed one in four Britons believed that Jews "chase money more than other people".

Mr Morron said the increase in attacks on Jews was likely to be down to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza last summer.

He said: "There's no doubt about it - the spike occurred as a result of the Gaza Israel war.

"The rate of anti-Semitic incidents went up from that point very, very dramatically.

"Part of it brought in people from the right wing extreme but most of it as I say came up as a result of the Israel/Gaza conflict."

Mr Morron described shocking anti-Semitic incidents in the City Centre.

He said: "There was a large star of David with very abusive language painted on the outside of the art school - exactly opposite the entrance to Garnethill Synagogue.

"A senior rabbi of the community in Glasgow had a sieg heil (Nazi salute) shouted at him.

"That was in the street in the centre of Glasgow.

"That's the more serious end. But it certainly has been the largest outbreak of anti-Semitic activity in this area in living memory - well over 60 years."

Mr Morron said the community had forged a good relationship with other religious centres.

He said: "Many of our Christian friends, Christian churches, organisations have been in touch with us to offer solidarity.

"Also we have forged a very close working relationship with the Muslim community, particularly the Glasgow Central Mosque.

"That relationship is very strong, very two-way and I think is an important message of hope which goes out to the city of Glasgow."

In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris, police have stepped up their presence in religious communities to reassure members of the public.

Detective Chief Inspector Iain Livingstone said: "While there is no specific threat to Scottish communities we must not be complacent, as Scotland is not immune from the threat posed by terrorism.

"Dialogue is ongoing with community and faith leaders. There are strong community relations in Scotland and the links between the public and the police are excellent.

"I would urge all communities to remain alert. Our officers are used to confronting risk and are highly trained to protect both the public and themselves."

Mr Morron said it was important for Jewish residents to "go about their business", to feel reassured and to not feel threatened.

He said: "Following the Paris killings and then the increase (in anti-Semitic incidents) of course there is the security risk to the Jewish community, including here in Glasgow, and it has unsettled the community.

"Police Scotland has been very supportive, we know they have increased their visibility round Jewish communal buildings and the Jewish community should be reassured there's no intelligence or any sort of imminent action."

Nicola Livingston, of the Jewish student chaplaincy service in Scotland, said the chaplaincy had been providing support.

She said: "There are some French Jewish students in Scotland, we have at least one at Strathclyde University, who's been in close contact with the chaplaincy. "

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk