We are a group of Jews, with supporters in all parts of Scotland, who are opposed to Israeli policies that undermine the livelihoods, human, civil and political rights of the Palestinian people and the ethical and political welfare of the Jewish people.

We want Jewish opinions critical of Israeli policy to be heard in Scotland, and for the Scottish Jewish community to realise that protest against Israeli policies is real and growing within the community.

We are working to develop our contacts with and support for Palestinian people trapped in the spiral of violence and repression, and Israeli groups working with them. We seek to work with other organisations on specific issues without necessarily endorsing everything they do.

We do not have an official line on issues beyond general support for the principles above and support for the right of Israelis to live in freedom and security within Israel's 1967 borders. There are many different opinions within the group, and people find the level and kind of activity which makes most sense to them. Our statement defines the issues on which we have agreed to campaign.

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Gaza Crisis

SJJP issued this press statement on 30th December:

Scottish Jews for a Just Peace condemns the actions of the Israeli Government in Gaza and calls on the Scottish Government to protest to their Israeli counterparts through all possible diplomatic means.

As Jews (both religious and non-religious) we feel a special obligation to add our names, along with those of Jewish peace groups across the world and thousands of others of all backgrounds, to the protests against these assaults on the Palestinian people and society. The collective punishment of the Palestinian population, first through the siege of Gaza and now through large-scale military attack in dense urban areas, is a brutal action that flies in the face of international humanitarian law - and of Jewish law. The only beneficiaries will be those who wish to boost hard-line positions on both sides and prolong conflict in the Middle East, with international repercussions.

This letter appeared prominently in the Glasgow Herald following last Saturday's demonstration, at which we were well represented:

Israeli tanks have rolled into Gaza even as protesters around the world were gathering up their banners, but this should not discourage us,from protesting – rather we need to protest even more strongly. We need our government to use all possible diplomatic means to bring a halt to Israel’s military assault on Gaza and to the blockade and siege that preceded it. People across Britain have demonstrated their horror at what is happening and have shown that firm action in condemnation of Israeli aggression would have public support. Such action should include ensuring an immediate end to the favourable status awarded to Israel in the EU, and firm diplomatic pressure on the United States, which effectively underwrites the Israeli state and has failed to criticise what they are doing.

Criticism of Israel is often held back by a fear of appearing antiSemitic, and apologists for Israel's wars of aggression frequently draw on the idea of a debt owed to Jews on account of the Holocaust. However, Jewish history does not justify attacking others or depriving them of their rights. The Israeli defence minister has presented Israel as the peaceloving victim of terrorism, but the biggest danger to Israeli citizens (as well as to the Palestinians) is the myth of perpetual Israeli victimhood that has been cultivated by their own government and used to block the way to compromise and peace.

We are expecting still larger numbers on this Saturday's demonstration (January 10th). If you wish to join our contingent, meet us around the SJJP banner at 12.30pm at the statue at the front of the council buildings at No 4, E. Market Street (at the far end from North Bridge).