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{{COI|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| name = Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign
| name = Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign
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| purpose = [[Boycotts]], [[political activism]]
| purpose = [[Boycotts]], [[political activism]]
| leader_title = Chair
| leader_title = Chair
| leader_name = Sofiah MacLeod<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/3485/tory-david-meikle-apologises-dangerous-smear-minister-humzayousaf|title=Tory David Meikle apologises for "dangerous" smear of minister @HumzaYousaf|date=17 February 2016|accessdate=5 August 2016|publisher=CommonSpace}}</ref>
| leader_name = Sofiah MacLeod<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/3485/tory-david-meikle-apologises-dangerous-smear-minister-humzayousaf|title=Tory David Meikle apologises for "dangerous" smear of minister @HumzaYousaf|date=17 February 2016|access-date=5 August 2016|publisher=CommonSpace|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914021303/https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/3485/tory-david-meikle-apologises-dangerous-smear-minister-humzayousaf|archive-date=14 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| website = https://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/
}}
}}


The '''Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign''' (SPSC) is a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[political organisation]] which campaigns in solidarity with the [[Palestinian people]].<ref name="about">{{cite news|url=http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/about-spsc/about-scottish-psc|title=About Scottish PSC|accessdate=5 August 2016}}</ref>
The '''Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign''' ('''SPSC''') is a [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[political organisation]] which campaigns in solidarity with the [[Palestinian people]].<ref name="about">{{cite news|url=http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/about-spsc/about-scottish-psc|title=About Scottish PSC|access-date=5 August 2016}}</ref>


It supports the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|BDS Movement]] and its call for boycott, divestment and sanctions towards [[Israel]] until it ends the occupation of the [[Palestinian territories]], acknowledges Palestinian refugees' right to return to their homes, and recognises the right of Palestinian-Arab citizens of Israel to full legal and political equality.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bdsmovement.net/call|title=Palestinian Civil Society Call for BDS|date=2005-07-09|work=BDS Movement|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en}}</ref>
It supports the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|BDS Movement]] and its call for boycott, divestment and sanctions towards [[Israel]] until it ends the occupation of the [[Palestinian territories]], acknowledges Palestinian refugees' right to return to their homes, and recognises the right of Palestinian-Arab citizens of Israel to full legal and political equality.


The organisation has successfully pressured Scottish cultural bodies to return sponsorship monies to the Israeli Embassy<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-bds-activists-win-one-in-scotland-1.5245793|title=BDS Activists Pressure Scottish Photo Gallery Into Shunning Israeli Embassy|last=Ravid|first=Barak|date=2014-04-22|work=Haaretz|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en}}</ref>; one such success in 2009 led US Secretary of State to intervene clandestinely against the group<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/film/hillary-clinton-weighed-into-edinburgh-film-festival-row-1-3852856|title=Hillary Clinton weighed into Edinburgh film festival row|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en}}</ref>.
The organisation has successfully pressured Scottish cultural bodies to return sponsorship monies to the Israeli Embassy;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-bds-activists-win-one-in-scotland-1.5245793|title=BDS Activists Pressure Scottish Photo Gallery Into Shunning Israeli Embassy|last=Ravid|first=Barak|date=2014-04-22|work=Haaretz|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en}}</ref> one such success in 2009 led US Secretary of State to intervene clandestinely against the group.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/film/hillary-clinton-weighed-into-edinburgh-film-festival-row-1-3852856|title=Hillary Clinton weighed into Edinburgh film festival row|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en|archive-date=2018-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528133606/https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/film/hillary-clinton-weighed-into-edinburgh-film-festival-row-1-3852856|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Demonstrations in 2014 successfully forced [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe|Fringe]] productions funded by the Israeli government to close.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/arts/news/appeal-to-ensure-middle-east-fringe-shows-go-ahead-1-3497506|title=Appeal to ensure Middle East Fringe shows go ahead|date=3 August 2014|accessdate=21 August 2014}}</ref> Campaigning against the Jewish National Fund led to a number of JNF fundraisers being cancelled<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/fife/77764/protest-fear-prompts-st-andrews-hotel-to-cancel-pro-israeli-charity-ball/|title=Protest fear prompts St Andrews hotel to cancel pro-Israeli charity ball - The Courier|date=2013-04-30|work=The Courier|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en-GB}}</ref>.
Demonstrations in 2014 successfully forced [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe|Fringe]] productions funded by the Israeli government to close.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/arts/news/appeal-to-ensure-middle-east-fringe-shows-go-ahead-1-3497506|title=Appeal to ensure Middle East Fringe shows go ahead|date=3 August 2014|access-date=21 August 2014}}</ref> Campaigning against the Jewish National Fund led to a number of JNF fundraisers being cancelled.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/fife/77764/protest-fear-prompts-st-andrews-hotel-to-cancel-pro-israeli-charity-ball/|title=Protest fear prompts St Andrews hotel to cancel pro-Israeli charity ball - The Courier|date=2013-04-30|work=The Courier|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en-GB}}</ref>


The organization has been harshly criticized in the Scottish press for alleged anti-Semitism<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jewish-report-claims-scots-activists-peddle-anti-semitic-opinions-m7v823zjd|title=Jewish report claims Scots activists peddle anti-semitic opinions|last=Allardyce|first=Jason|date=2017-07-30|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en|issn=0956-1382}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dangerous-liaisons-can-legitimise-hate-h2737hh9c|title=Dangerous liaisons can legitimise hate|last=Massie|first=Alex|date=2017-07-30|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>, including their hounding of a Jewish businessman across Scotland.<ref>{{citenews|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-41845660|date=2 November 2017|accessdate=6 November 2017|publisher=“BBC”|title=“Israeli businessman claims anti-Semitic 'hounding' in Scotland”}}</ref> The organisation rejected the allegations, claiming anti-racist credentials<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/the-opposition/israel-kills-palestinians-and-works-to-silence-dissent?highlight=WyJjb2xsaWVyIiwiY29sbGllcidzIl0=|title=Israel kills Palestinians and works to silence dissent|last=Napier|first=Mick|website=Scottish PSC|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>.
The organization has been criticized for alleged anti-Semitism <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jewish-report-claims-scots-activists-peddle-anti-semitic-opinions-m7v823zjd|title=Jewish report claims Scots activists peddle anti-semitic opinions|last=Allardyce|first=Jason|date=2017-07-30|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en|issn=0956-1382}}</ref><ref name="massie">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dangerous-liaisons-can-legitimise-hate-h2737hh9c|title=Dangerous liaisons can legitimise hate|last=Massie|first=Alex|newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=2017-07-30|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=December 2021}} and a Jewish businessman claimed he was hounded by the group in Belfast, Glasgow and Aberdeen.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-41845660|date=2 November 2017|access-date=6 November 2017|publisher=BBC|title=Israeli businessman claims anti-Semitic 'hounding' in Scotland}}</ref>


== Current campaigns ==
== Current campaigns ==
The organisation is currently involved with others in a [http://www.timetodivest.net/ Time to Divest Campaign] to pressure Scottish local councils to have their substantial pension funds divest from armament and other companies that supply Israel or otherwise operate in support of Israel's illegal occupation<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/1.4744778|title=More Than a Million Bullets|last=Pedatzur|first=Reuven|date=2004-06-29|work=Haaretz|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en}}</ref> of the West Bank.
The organisation is currently involved with others in a [http://www.timetodivest.net/ Time to Divest Campaign] to pressure Scottish local councils to have their substantial pension funds divest from armament and other companies that supply Israel or otherwise operate in support of Israel's illegal occupation<ref name="Pedatzur">{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/1.4744778|title=More Than a Million Bullets|last=Pedatzur|first=Reuven|date=2004-06-29|work=Haaretz|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en}}</ref> of the West Bank.


== Structure ==
== Structure ==
Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign was founded in Edinburgh during September 2000 at the start of the Second Palestinian Intifada, or Al Aqsa Intifada<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/what-we-stand-for/2012-07-03-18-15-40?highlight=WyJ3aGF0Iiwid2hhdCdzIiwiJ3doYXQiLCInd2hhdCdzIiwid2UiLCJ3ZSdsbCIsIndlJ3JlIiwid2UndmUiLCInd2UiLCJ3ZSdkIiwic3RhbmQiLCInc3RhbmQiLCJmb3IiLCInZm9yIiwid2hhdCB3ZSIsIndoYXQgd2Ugc3RhbmQiLCJ3ZSBzdGFuZCIsIndlIHN0YW5kIGZvciIsInN0YW5kIGZvciJd|title=What we Stand for {{!}} What we stand for {{!}} About SPSC {{!}} Info|last=Napier|first=Mick|website=www.scottishpsc.org.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>. A handful of individuals operating as the Edinburgh Ad-hoc Committee on Palestine responded to the Palestinian Intifada and began to attract support by opposing the Israeli repression that followed<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/1.4744778|title=More Than a Million Bullets|last=Pedatzur|first=Reuven|date=2004-06-29|work=Haaretz|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en}}</ref> and what it claimed was UK Government complicity <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://waronwant.org/sites/default/files/Killer%20Drones%2C%20War%20on%20Want.pdf|title=UK complicity in Israel's crimes against the Palestinian Paople|last=War on Want|first=|date=December 2013|website=War on Want|archive-url=https://waronwant.org/resources/killer-drones|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>in support of Israel. Independently of the London-based [https://www.palestinecampaign.org Palestine Solidarity Campaign], the group adopted the name of Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign on the suggestion of a member who had been active in the [[Vietnam Solidarity Campaign]] in the 1960s and 1970s.
Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign was founded in Edinburgh during September 2000 at the start of the Second Palestinian Intifada, or Al Aqsa Intifada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/what-we-stand-for/2012-07-03-18-15-40?highlight=WyJ3aGF0Iiwid2hhdCdzIiwiJ3doYXQiLCInd2hhdCdzIiwid2UiLCJ3ZSdsbCIsIndlJ3JlIiwid2UndmUiLCInd2UiLCJ3ZSdkIiwic3RhbmQiLCInc3RhbmQiLCJmb3IiLCInZm9yIiwid2hhdCB3ZSIsIndoYXQgd2Ugc3RhbmQiLCJ3ZSBzdGFuZCIsIndlIHN0YW5kIGZvciIsInN0YW5kIGZvciJd|title=What we Stand for {{!}} What we stand for {{!}} About SPSC {{!}} Info|last=Napier|first=Mick|website=www.scottishpsc.org.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref> A handful of individuals operating as the Edinburgh Ad-hoc Committee on Palestine responded to the Palestinian Intifada and began to attract support by opposing the Israeli repression that followed<ref name="Pedatzur"/> and what it claimed was UK Government complicity <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://waronwant.org/sites/default/files/Killer%20Drones%2C%20War%20on%20Want.pdf |title=UK complicity in Israel's crimes against the Palestinian People |last=War on Want |date=December 2013 |website=War on Want |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305210158/https://waronwant.org/sites/default/files/Killer%20Drones%2C%20War%20on%20Want.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-05}}</ref> in support of Israel. Independently of the London-based [https://www.palestinecampaign.org Palestine Solidarity Campaign], the group adopted the name of Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign on the suggestion of a member who had been active in the [[Vietnam Solidarity Campaign]] in the 1960s and 1970s.


The organisation has branches and members at large across Scotland. It was affiliated to London-based PSC for two years in 2009 and 2010 but ended its affiliation after PSC voted against boycotting the Israeli Histadrut trade union in 2009 and confirmed that position in 2010.
The organisation has branches and members at large across Scotland. It was affiliated to London-based PSC for two years in 2009 and 2010 but ended its affiliation after PSC voted against boycotting the Israeli Histadrut trade union in 2009 and confirmed that position in 2010.


== Influence ==
== Influence ==
In December 2004, SPSC launched a successful campaign to have Israeli political prisoner<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/013/2010/en/|title=Document|website=www.amnesty.org|language=en|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref> Mordechai Vanunu elected as Rector of Glasgow University<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/dec/17/highereducation.students|title=Vanunu is elected rector|last=Campbell|first=Duncan|date=2004-12-17|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref> A spokesman for the Israeli Information Office in Scotland claimed that Vanunu had contributed information that led to a successful terrorist attack and the killing of three nuclear plant workers,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/a-defiant-spirit-20090410-a2vs.html|title=A defiant spirit|last=Briggs|first=Billy|date=2009-04-10|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref> a claim rejected by SPSC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/all/another-israeli-slander-of-vanunu-as-a-terrorist-with-detailed-rebuttal?highlight=WyJ2YW51bnUiLCJ2YW51bnUncyJd|title=Another Israeli Slander of Vanunu as a 'terrorist' with detailed rebuttal {{!}} All|last=Napier|first=Mick|website=www.scottishpsc.org.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref> The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities alleged that the Vanunu4Rector Campaign was guilty of antisemitism for reporting that Vanunu "has been assaulted by Jewish extremists" in Israel<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scojec.org/consultations/2006/06i_all-party_inquiry_into_antisemitism.pdf|title=All-Party Inquiry into Antisemitism|last=|first=|date=January 2006|website=Scottish Council of Jewish Communities|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>. They further claimed that an un-named Vanunu supporter during the election had campaigned with the slogan, 'Jews are evil'.
In December 2004, SPSC launched a successful campaign to have [[Mordechai Vanunu]] elected as Rector of Glasgow University<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/dec/17/highereducation.students|title=Vanunu is elected rector|last=Campbell|first=Duncan|date=2004-12-17|newspaper=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref> A spokesman for the Israeli Information Office in Scotland claimed that Vanunu had contributed information that led to a successful terrorist attack and the killing of three nuclear plant workers,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/a-defiant-spirit-20090410-a2vs.html|title=A defiant spirit|last=Briggs|first=Billy|date=2009-04-10|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref> a claim rejected by SPSC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/all/another-israeli-slander-of-vanunu-as-a-terrorist-with-detailed-rebuttal?highlight=WyJ2YW51bnUiLCJ2YW51bnUncyJd|title=Another Israeli Slander of Vanunu as a 'terrorist' with detailed rebuttal {{!}} All|last=Napier|first=Mick|website=www.scottishpsc.org.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref> The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities alleged that the Vanunu4Rector Campaign was guilty of antisemitism for reporting that Vanunu "has been assaulted by Jewish extremists" in Israel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scojec.org/consultations/2006/06i_all-party_inquiry_into_antisemitism.pdf|title=All-Party Inquiry into Antisemitism|last=|first=|date=January 2006|website=Scottish Council of Jewish Communities|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> They further claimed that an unnamed Vanunu supporter during the election had campaigned with the slogan, 'Jews are evil'.


Israeli daily Haaretz reported that "while similar boycott efforts also occur in England, there is a consensus that 'it's worse in Scotland.' One Israeli diplomat reported that "Every appearance by an official Israeli representative in Scotland is like a visit to enemy territory." "<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-a-visit-to-enemy-territory-1.5196004|title=Does Scotland Manage to Be anti-Israel Without Being anti-Semitic?|last=Pfeffer|first=Anshel|date=2012-11-02|work=Haaretz|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en}}</ref>
Israeli daily Haaretz reported that "while similar boycott efforts also occur in England, there is a consensus that 'it's worse in Scotland.' One Israeli diplomat reported that "Every appearance by an official Israeli representative in Scotland is like a visit to enemy territory." "<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-a-visit-to-enemy-territory-1.5196004|title=Does Scotland Manage to Be anti-Israel Without Being anti-Semitic?|last=Pfeffer|first=Anshel|date=2012-11-02|work=Haaretz|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en}}</ref>


Scottish Friends of Israel website thought that “…Scotland has witnessed a noticeable public anti-Israel sentiment, prominently driven by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign…” Ezra Golombok of the Israeli Information Office wrote that “,,,a highly active anti-Israeli lobby in Scotland"...the Palestine Solidarity Campaign "seems well-funded and its few activist leaders are knowledgeable, expert in exploiting any situation for sniping at Israel..." Golombok, Israeli Information Office, Scotland (2010)
Scottish Friends of Israel website thought that "...Scotland has witnessed a noticeable public anti-Israel sentiment, prominently driven by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign..." Ezra Golombok of the Israeli Information Office wrote that ", a highly active anti-Israeli lobby in Scotland"...the Palestine Solidarity Campaign "seems well-funded and its few activist leaders are knowledgeable, expert in exploiting any situation for sniping at Israel..." Golombok, Israeli Information Office, Scotland (2010){{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

''A 2011 Motion (EDM 1677) to the Westminster Parliament in the name of Jeremy Corbyn and Gerald Kaufman secured 69 signatories. It welcomed the work of Scottish PSC and others:'' <blockquote>''That this House welcomes the Stop the Jewish National Fund (JNF) Campaign launched on 30 March 2011 by the Palestinian Boycott National Committee, the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign and others to inform the public about the JNF – Karen Kayemet L’Yisrael, its ongoing illegal expropriation of Palestinian land, concealing of destroyed Palestinian villages beneath parks and forests, and prevention of refugees from returning to their homes; notes that the JNF’s constitution is explicitly discriminatory by stating that land and property will never be rented, leased or sold to non-Jews; further notes that the UN rejected the JNF USA’s application for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council on the ground that it violates the principles of the UN Charter on Human Rights; regrets that the Prime Minister is a JNF honorary patron; and believes that there is just cause to consider revocation of the JNF’s charitable status in the UK.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/1677|title=Early day motion 1677 - JEWISH NATIONAL FUND|website=UK Parliament|language=en|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref></blockquote>A motion on Israeli attacks on Gaza to the Holyrood Parliament in November 2012 that secured 42 signatories "...support[ed] the efforts of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign to raise awareness of the rights of the Palestinian people"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Advance&ReferenceNumbers=S4M-04871&ResultsPerPage=10|title=Motions, Questions and Answers Search|last=Office|first=Chamber|date=2016-06-16|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>


== Critics ==
== Critics ==
⚫
In 2017 Alex Massie of the ''Sunday Times'' wrote that the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign was ‘a sewer’ due to its antisemitism.<ref name="massie" /> An SPSC rebuttal article claimed its entire corpus was free of any taint of antisemitism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/the-opposition/israel-kills-palestinians-and-works-to-silence-dissent|title=Israel kills Palestinians and works to silence dissent {{!}} The opposition {{!}} What they say about us {{!}} About SPSC {{!}} Info|last=Napier|first=Mick|website=www.scottishpsc.org.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>

⚫
Alex Massie ''in the Sunday Times'' (30/07) alleged Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign was ‘a sewer’ due to its antisemitism though Massie produced no evidence from any SPSC source. An SPSC rebuttal article claimed its entire corpus was free of any taint of antisemitism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/the-opposition/israel-kills-palestinians-and-works-to-silence-dissent|title=Israel kills Palestinians and works to silence dissent {{!}} The opposition {{!}} What they say about us {{!}} About SPSC {{!}} Info|last=Napier|first=Mick|website=www.scottishpsc.org.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>


Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw put forward motion a motion condemning "the campaign by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) against the Stills Gallery in Edinburgh for accepting a donation from the Israeli embassy", claiming SPSC had "shown itself to be a thoroughly discredited organisation driven more by a hatred of Israel than a desire to support Palestinians".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Advance&ReferenceNumbers=S4M-09879&ResultsPerPage=10|title=Motions, Questions and Answers Search|last=Office|first=Chamber|date=2016-06-16|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>
Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw put forward motion a motion condemning "the campaign by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) against the Stills Gallery in Edinburgh for accepting a donation from the Israeli embassy", claiming SPSC had "shown itself to be a thoroughly discredited organisation driven more by a hatred of Israel than a desire to support Palestinians".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Advance&ReferenceNumbers=S4M-09879&ResultsPerPage=10|title=Motions, Questions and Answers Search|last=Office|first=Chamber|date=2016-06-16|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>


In 2017, Member of Parliament [[John Mann, Baron Mann|John Mann]] called for action against "racists" following a report by pro-Israel blogger David Collier which cited links between the SPSC and anti-semitism within Scotland, and further that there was a link between anti-Israel attitudes and anti-semitism.<ref>{{cite web | title=United States Department of State | website=United States Department of State | date= 2017| url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2017-report-on-international-religious-freedom/united-kingdom/ | ref={{sfnref | United States Department of State | 2017}} | access-date=2021-12-10}}</ref>
== Trials ==

== Legal threats ==


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
*[https://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/ Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign]


[[Category:Non-governmental organizations involved in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]
[[Category:Non-governmental organizations involved in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]
[[Category:Palestinian solidarity movement in Europe]]
[[Category:Political advocacy groups in Scotland]]
[[Category:Political advocacy groups in Scotland]]

{{Scotland-poli-stub}}

Latest revision as of 15:00, 10 December 2024

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign
FormationSeptember 2000 (2000-09)[1]
TypePolitical organisation
PurposeBoycotts, political activism
Chair
Sofiah MacLeod[2]
Websitehttps://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/

The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) is a Scottish political organisation which campaigns in solidarity with the Palestinian people.[1]

It supports the BDS Movement and its call for boycott, divestment and sanctions towards Israel until it ends the occupation of the Palestinian territories, acknowledges Palestinian refugees' right to return to their homes, and recognises the right of Palestinian-Arab citizens of Israel to full legal and political equality.

The organisation has successfully pressured Scottish cultural bodies to return sponsorship monies to the Israeli Embassy;[3] one such success in 2009 led US Secretary of State to intervene clandestinely against the group.[4]

Demonstrations in 2014 successfully forced Fringe productions funded by the Israeli government to close.[5] Campaigning against the Jewish National Fund led to a number of JNF fundraisers being cancelled.[6]

The organization has been criticized for alleged anti-Semitism [7][8][failed verification] and a Jewish businessman claimed he was hounded by the group in Belfast, Glasgow and Aberdeen.[9]

Current campaigns

The organisation is currently involved with others in a Time to Divest Campaign to pressure Scottish local councils to have their substantial pension funds divest from armament and other companies that supply Israel or otherwise operate in support of Israel's illegal occupation[10] of the West Bank.

Structure

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign was founded in Edinburgh during September 2000 at the start of the Second Palestinian Intifada, or Al Aqsa Intifada.[11] A handful of individuals operating as the Edinburgh Ad-hoc Committee on Palestine responded to the Palestinian Intifada and began to attract support by opposing the Israeli repression that followed[10] and what it claimed was UK Government complicity [12] in support of Israel. Independently of the London-based Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the group adopted the name of Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign on the suggestion of a member who had been active in the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign in the 1960s and 1970s.

The organisation has branches and members at large across Scotland. It was affiliated to London-based PSC for two years in 2009 and 2010 but ended its affiliation after PSC voted against boycotting the Israeli Histadrut trade union in 2009 and confirmed that position in 2010.

Influence

In December 2004, SPSC launched a successful campaign to have Mordechai Vanunu elected as Rector of Glasgow University[13] A spokesman for the Israeli Information Office in Scotland claimed that Vanunu had contributed information that led to a successful terrorist attack and the killing of three nuclear plant workers,[14] a claim rejected by SPSC.[15] The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities alleged that the Vanunu4Rector Campaign was guilty of antisemitism for reporting that Vanunu "has been assaulted by Jewish extremists" in Israel.[16] They further claimed that an unnamed Vanunu supporter during the election had campaigned with the slogan, 'Jews are evil'.

Israeli daily Haaretz reported that "while similar boycott efforts also occur in England, there is a consensus that 'it's worse in Scotland.' One Israeli diplomat reported that "Every appearance by an official Israeli representative in Scotland is like a visit to enemy territory." "[17]

Scottish Friends of Israel website thought that "...Scotland has witnessed a noticeable public anti-Israel sentiment, prominently driven by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign..." Ezra Golombok of the Israeli Information Office wrote that ", a highly active anti-Israeli lobby in Scotland"...the Palestine Solidarity Campaign "seems well-funded and its few activist leaders are knowledgeable, expert in exploiting any situation for sniping at Israel..." Golombok, Israeli Information Office, Scotland (2010)[citation needed]

Critics

In 2017 Alex Massie of the Sunday Times wrote that the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign was ‘a sewer’ due to its antisemitism.[8] An SPSC rebuttal article claimed its entire corpus was free of any taint of antisemitism.[18]

Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw put forward motion a motion condemning "the campaign by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) against the Stills Gallery in Edinburgh for accepting a donation from the Israeli embassy", claiming SPSC had "shown itself to be a thoroughly discredited organisation driven more by a hatred of Israel than a desire to support Palestinians".[19]

In 2017, Member of Parliament John Mann called for action against "racists" following a report by pro-Israel blogger David Collier which cited links between the SPSC and anti-semitism within Scotland, and further that there was a link between anti-Israel attitudes and anti-semitism.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b "About Scottish PSC". Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Tory David Meikle apologises for "dangerous" smear of minister @HumzaYousaf". CommonSpace. 17 February 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  3. ^ Ravid, Barak (2014-04-22). "BDS Activists Pressure Scottish Photo Gallery Into Shunning Israeli Embassy". Haaretz. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  4. ^ "Hillary Clinton weighed into Edinburgh film festival row". Archived from the original on 2018-05-28. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  5. ^ "Appeal to ensure Middle East Fringe shows go ahead". 3 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Protest fear prompts St Andrews hotel to cancel pro-Israeli charity ball - The Courier". The Courier. 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  7. ^ Allardyce, Jason (2017-07-30). "Jewish report claims Scots activists peddle anti-semitic opinions". The Sunday Times. ISSN 0956-1382. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  8. ^ a b Massie, Alex (2017-07-30). "Dangerous liaisons can legitimise hate". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  9. ^ "Israeli businessman claims anti-Semitic 'hounding' in Scotland". BBC. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  10. ^ a b Pedatzur, Reuven (2004-06-29). "More Than a Million Bullets". Haaretz. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  11. ^ Napier, Mick. "What we Stand for | What we stand for | About SPSC | Info". www.scottishpsc.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  12. ^ War on Want (December 2013). "UK complicity in Israel's crimes against the Palestinian People" (PDF). War on Want. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-05.
  13. ^ Campbell, Duncan (2004-12-17). "Vanunu is elected rector". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  14. ^ Briggs, Billy (2009-04-10). "A defiant spirit". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  15. ^ Napier, Mick. "Another Israeli Slander of Vanunu as a 'terrorist' with detailed rebuttal | All". www.scottishpsc.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  16. ^ "All-Party Inquiry into Antisemitism" (PDF). Scottish Council of Jewish Communities. January 2006.
  17. ^ Pfeffer, Anshel (2012-11-02). "Does Scotland Manage to Be anti-Israel Without Being anti-Semitic?". Haaretz. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  18. ^ Napier, Mick. "Israel kills Palestinians and works to silence dissent | The opposition | What they say about us | About SPSC | Info". www.scottishpsc.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  19. ^ Office, Chamber (2016-06-16). "Motions, Questions and Answers Search". Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  20. ^ "United States Department of State". United States Department of State. 2017. Retrieved 2021-12-10.


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