Shame on Them

You might well think that the Scottish Law Society would side with those who fight racism rather than those who promote it. You would be wrong. The fine imposed on solicitor Matthew Berlow — and the demand that he attends diversity training — for describing the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) as “scummy racists, bullies and cowards” disgraces the Scottish Law Society. Like all BDS activists, the SPSC singles out Israelis and Israel’s supporters for unique pariah status to be boycotted; it is indeed a racist organisation. And it uses bullying to push its demands; for years it has led a campaign of intimidation against Jericho Skin Care, its Israeli owner, and its customers. Mick Napier, the SPSC chair, has a criminal record after his conviction for aggravated trespass and failing to follow police orders, and a fellow SPSC member, Jim Watson, has also been convicted of ignoring the police. The Scottish Law Society has shown that in the fight against racism, it sides with the racists. Mr Berlow is seeking to raise £4,000 to cover both the original fine and his planned appeal. He has set up a justgiving.com page, which should be supported.

Time and Energy

lf has a certain reputation as middle aged and middle class. But Dyrham Park president Jeremy Curtis has come up with a wonderful way of showing how undeserved that is, offering coaching to teenagers supported by special needs charity Kisharon. As Mr Curtis says, “This isn’t about raising money —it is about giving time and energy.” That is a mantra that we could all surely follow.