Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson on Monday spoke at the Board of Deputies President’s Dinner of her pride in the way that Scottish politicians had collaborated to confront anti-Semitism.
The dinner coincided with the conclusion of the World Jewish Congress’ Executive Committee meeting in London, and was attended by WJC President Ronald S. Lauder.
Davidson, in conversation with the BBC’s Director of News and Current Affairs James Harding in front of an audience of more than 550 guests, including Home Secretary Amber Rudd, said: “In Scotland we have seen an issue, particularly with some of the Jewish community. We’ve seen some terrible things daubed on the side of a temple, we’ve seen a senior rabbi faced with people who were giving Nazi salutes as he went to a place of worship.
“One of the things I’m proud of in Scotland is that there is actually political leadership against this.”
On the centenary of the Balfour Declaration, Ruth also paid tribute to Lord Arthur Balfour, who she described as “another great Scottish Conservative”.
She added that she was proud of the links between Israel and Scotland. ““I’ve welcomed to my own constituency the Shalom International Festival, which as well as celebrating Judaism, also invites performers over from Israel to make sure that the cultural exchange is there,” Davidson said.
“We’ve seen a 60 per cent rise in trade between Scotland and Israel in the last 10 years – it’s now about £120 million a year – and these are the sorts of things we want to build on.
She also commented on the Brexit process saying that, "were there to be another referendum I'd vote to remain again".
Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush paid tribute to the dinner guests and community members who enable the organisation to do its important work. He said: “Without you there would be no Board of Deputies. We would not be able to serve our community, our community’s future, which is also your future. It is with enormous pride that I stand before you as elected president of the Board of Deputies for British Jews. It is an honour to speak forthrightly for our community on every relevant issue.”
Also attending the dinner in central London were UK Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey, French Ambassador to the UK Jean Pierre, Sir Eric Pickles, Senior Rabbis Laura Janner Klausner, Joseph Dweck, Danny Rich, Baroness Ruth Deech and number of MPs and peers.
Earlier Monday, within the framework of the annual WJC Executive Committee meeting, Britain’s House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, told members of the committee that threats against the Jewish community in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the World at large must not be met with complacency.
“There are still people denying the Holocaust or alternatively glorying in it and holding up Adolf Hitler as being a great figure in our history,” Bercow said. “So we should not be paranoid but equally we should not be complacent. There is a threat to Jewish people and to Jewish security in this country and indeed in Europe and around the world.”
“The importance of Jewish history, of Jewish culture, Jewish identity and indeed of Jewish security both physical and political can scarcely be overstated.
“The work you do is of an importance that cannot be exaggerated. I want you to know you have friends in Parliament here, and you certainly have a friend in this Speaker,” Bercow said, adding praise for the WJC’s work in “fighting for the rights of Jews and Jewish communities across the world”.
