NICOLA Sturgeon has warned of the “horrific consequences” of anti-Semitism in the wake of a mass shooting at at US synagogue.
The First Minister, who is due to visit Auschwitz with a group of schoolchildren this week, said it was “more important than ever” that current generations learn about the Holocaust.
She spoke out on Twitter after Robert Bowers killed eight men and three women inside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday before being shot by police.
He told officers that Jews were committing genocide and that he wanted them all to die, according to a charging document.
Sturgeon tweeted: “Later this week, I’ll accompany @HolocaustUK and a group of Scottish school pupils on a visit to Auschwitz. As antisemitism rears its head again – often, as in USA yesterday, with horrific consequences – it is more important than ever that the next generation learns and remembers.”
Meanwhile, Scottish justice secretary Humza Yousaf, above, spoke about the “huge contribution” that the Jewish community makes to the country.
Yousaf spoke to Jewish people from Scotland at The Gathering event in Edinburgh on Sunday, telling them the thoughts and prayers of the people of Scotland were with all those affected by the “despicable” and “appalling” events in Pittsburgh.
He said: “This event presents an ideal opportunity to reflect on the diversity of Scotland and the important role our faith communities play in supporting public cohesion.
“On behalf of the Scottish Government, I pay tribute to the huge contribution which Jewish communities make to our society.”
Yousaf continued: “Of course this Gathering takes place against the backdrop of widespread shock and sadness at the appalling attack on the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
“The thoughts and prayers of people across Scotland are with everyone affected by this despicable act and we stand in solidarity with the Jewish community across the world.
“In Scotland we will continue to work together to tackle prejudice and build the society we want to be – a safer, stronger and fairer nation where equality and human rights are fully respected and each person, every family and all communities can flourish.”
Eleven people were killed in the attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh
Bowers killed eight men and three women inside the synagogue on Saturday during worship services before a tactical police team tracked him down and shot him, police said in the document, which contained some previously unreported details on the shooting and the police response.
Bowers told an officer while he was being treated for his injuries “that he wanted all Jews to die and also that they [Jews] were committing genocide to his people”, the affidavit said.
Bowers was charged late on Saturday with 11 counts of criminal homicide, six counts of aggravated assault and 13 counts of ethnic intimidation in what the leader of the Anti-Defamation League called the deadliest attack on Jews in US history.
With the mid-term election just over a week away, it also reignited a longstanding and bitter debate over guns.
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