SCoJeC has responded to the announcement of new Scottish Government funding to improve the security of places of worship. Welcoming this practical measure to reduce hate crime, SCoJeC Director Ephraim Borowski commented:

The Jewish Community very much welcomes the provision of this funding by the Scottish Government, as we are tragically all too  aware of the importance of security at places of worship and other communal locations.  Sadly, places of worship are easily  identifiable targets for hate crime particularly against minority communities, when they should be places of shelter, sanctuary, and  peaceful reflection.

The historical resonance of this announcement being made on Holocaust Memorial Day cannot be overlooked, especially as the theme this year is "Stand Together".  For many minorities, their place of worship is the one familiar refuge in an unfamiliar society, so contributing to their safety and security is tangible evidence that the Scottish Government stands with vulnerable communities to help make Scotland a welcoming environment for all.

Announcing the new funding at Garnethill Synagogue, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We recently committed to exploring what we could do to ensure safety and security for our faith communities at their places of worship, including developing a security funding scheme. I hope that this scheme will provide reassurance to all faith communities and their places of worship that hate crime and prejudice will not be tolerated.”

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell commented: “We are committed to ensuring that our communities in Scotland feel free to practice their religion in a place where they feel safe. No one should fear being attacked because of their faith and particularly in their place of worship. We are determined that all places of worship should be places of peace and sanctuary and that our faith communities feel safe and secure when they visit them.”