Israeli ambassador to UK cancels Scotland visit over protests from Jews

Tzipi Hotovely, the Israeli ambassador to the UK, has cancelled her planned visit to Scotland following a protest by Scottish Jewish groups and individuals.

The ambassador had planned to visit two synagogues, the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation on Tuesday and Garnethill Synagogue in Glasgow on Wednesday.

The protests took place in both locations, where demonstrators denounced Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as well as previous comments made by Hotovely.

The Israeli ambassador reportedly blamed the cancellation of the visit on a "scheduling conflict".

"Unfortunately, due to a conflict in scheduling, a planned delegation visit to Scotland has had to be postponed. The delegation will be rescheduled for another date in the near future," the Israeli embassy said.

Hotovely previously stated she supported the construction of illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, saying "this land is ours, all of it is ours".

She also called the Nakba, also known as the Catastrophe of 1948, an "Arab lie", adding in 2015 that her dream is to see "the Israeli flag flying over the Temple Mount", in a reference to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Islam's third holiest site.

A statement signed by Scottish Jewish groups and individuals, including Na'amod Scotland, said: "As Scottish Jews we are appalled that Tzipi Hotovely is making a visit to Scotland while the killing continues in Gaza, and we call on the Scottish government and our community leaders to send a strong message against her visit."

Well done to Scottish Na'amodniks and allies for helping to ensure that Hotovely could not spread her racist rhetoric via our communal institutions.

Read more here: https://t.co/19EVxV3Q09 https://t.co/mGLF32jX2D pic.twitter.com/eYVZvu5Dg2

— Na'amod (@NaamodUK) June 5, 2024

"Hotovely is a far-right extremist who has consistently demonstrated a complete disregard for international law throughout her political career and has an appalling record of racist and inflammatory behaviour. This includes referring to Israeli human rights activists as ‘war criminals’ and ‘an enemy’ within," it continued.

The signatories said that as Scottish Jews, they believe her values and politics have no place in their community and faith organisations.