Police Scotland is assessing an anti-Semitic image used in a campaign to remove Dame Maureen Lipman from a play, while reviewing its stance on protest chants deemed anti-Semitic. The controversy involves pro-Palestine activists and Jewish advocacy groups, raising concerns about rising anti-Semitism in the UK.
Police Scotland is currently evaluating an image used in a campaign targeting Dame Maureen Lipman , which has been widely condemned as anti-Semitic. The photograph, shared on Facebook by pro-Palestine activists, depicts the 79-year-old actress with red devil’s horns and a trident, a symbol historically used to dehumanize Jewish people in medieval Christian art.
The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) is leading efforts to have Lipman removed from an upcoming play at His Majesty’s Theatre (HMT) in Aberdeen, where she is scheduled to perform from May 26 to 30 in a comedy called *Allegra*, written by Peter Quilter. The campaign has gained traction, with an online petition titled *Stop Maureen Lipman Performing at HMT Aberdeen* circulating, while the SPSC’s Aberdeen branch shared the controversial image.
The petition accuses Lipman of holding extremist, Islamophobic, and anti-Palestinian views, urging Aberdeen Performing Arts to reject her performance. Critics argue that her public support for Israel, which they describe as a settler-colonial apartheid state, makes her unwelcome in the city.
Meanwhile, Police Scotland is reviewing its approach to handling chants at pro-Palestine protests, which Jewish advocacy groups claim are anti-Semitic. A spokesperson confirmed that a report regarding the image has been received and is under assessment, with officers engaging with the Jewish community. Timothy Lovat, chairman of the Jewish Council of Scotland, condemned the post as *absolutely anti-Semitic and disgusting*, linking such imagery to real-world violence against Jewish people.
The SPSC defended its actions, stating that Lipman’s views are incompatible with their values and that racists should not be platformed. Lipman herself has expressed deep concern about rising anti-Semitism in the UK, comparing it to the early days of Nazi Germany following recent attacks on Jewish individuals in London. She has also called for a ban on pro-Palestine marches in central London.
Police Scotland is facing pressure to take a firmer stance on protest chants like *globalise the intifada*, which Jewish leaders argue incites violence. While forces in England, such as the Metropolitan Police, have pledged to arrest those using the phrase, Police Scotland has sought legal guidance before taking action. The term *intifada* refers to Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation, which resulted in thousands of deaths in the late 1980s and early 2000s.
Jewish leaders warn that the phrase is often interpreted as a call for violence against Jews and Israelis. Former Police Scotland superintendent Martin Gallagher acknowledged the challenges of policing such expressions, noting that protests since October 7, 2023, have increasingly targeted the Jewish community. Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan emphasized that while peaceful protest is protected, hate crime and threatening behavior are not tolerated. The situation highlights growing tensions between free speech and the protection of minority groups in the UK
Anti-Semitism Pro-Palestine Protests Police Scotland Dame Maureen Lipman Hate Speech
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