In the wake of a devastating shooting at a Hannukah celebration in Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where 15 lives were tragically lost, the question looms large: Can we truly claim to be a tolerant society when antisemitism continues to rear its ugly head? This horrific attack, carried out by a father and son duo identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, has sent shockwaves across the globe, prompting leaders like Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney to declare that antisemitism 'cannot be tolerated.' But here's where it gets controversial: while Swinney has vowed to work with police to protect Jewish communities, members of Scotland’s Jewish population are openly questioning their future in the country due to rising hate crimes. Is Scotland doing enough to combat antisemitism, or are we merely paying lip service to the issue?
The Bondi Beach attack, which left the younger gunman critically injured and the elder one dead after a confrontation with police, was not an isolated incident. Footage verified by the BBC shows a bystander, Ahmed al Ahmed, bravely disarming one of the attackers, a moment of heroism amidst unspeakable tragedy. Yet, this event has reignited fears among Jewish communities worldwide. In Scotland, concerns have been mounting since the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict two years ago, with reports of increased antisemitic incidents. Are we addressing the root causes of this hatred, or are we simply reacting to its symptoms?
Swinney’s condemnation of the attack as 'heinous' and his commitment to dialogue with Police Scotland’s chief constable are steps in the right direction. However, Sammy Stein, chairman of Glasgow Friends of Israel, paints a grim picture: 'We need guards outside our synagogues, our schools. People are terrified.' This sentiment is echoed by Mark Gardner of the Community Security Trust, who warns that if Jews cannot live as 'normal members of society,' they will leave. Is the growing need for security measures a sign of societal failure, or an unfortunate necessity in today’s world?
The attack on Manchester Synagogue during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, further underscores the vulnerability of Jewish communities. Scotland’s only Jewish school, Calderwood Lodge Primary, already has a guard on site, but the question remains: How much more can communities do to protect themselves? Are we asking the right questions about why antisemitism persists, or are we too quick to dismiss it as the actions of a few extremists?
Rabbi Moshe Rubin, Scotland’s senior Rabbi, points to an 'institutionalized anti-Israel feeling' within some Scottish public bodies, suggesting that this rhetoric fuels antisemitism. 'There’s a sense of not feeling welcomed anymore in Scotland,' he says. Is this perception justified, and if so, what can be done to foster inclusivity?
The Bondi Beach shooting, which claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl, has also sparked calls for stricter gun laws in Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to strengthen regulations, but the tragedy raises broader questions about extremism and its impact on minority communities. Are we doing enough to challenge extremist ideologies, or are we allowing them to fester unchecked?
As Kian Bentley, a Scottish man working in Sydney, recounted the panic that ensued during the attack—'Hundreds of people just panicked... I knew it was serious'—it’s clear that the scars of such events run deep. How can we ensure that no community lives in fear of violence simply because of their faith?
This is the part most people miss: antisemitism isn’t just about individual acts of hatred; it’s a systemic issue that requires systemic solutions. Do Jews have a future in Scotland, or will they be forced to seek safety elsewhere? And what does that say about our society as a whole? Let’s not shy away from these difficult questions. Share your thoughts in the comments—agreement, disagreement, or anything in between. The conversation starts here.
