“A Scottish Jewish lawyer has been found to have attempted to discredit a pro-Palestinian group in accusing it of vandalism that he was aware never happened.”
“Matthew Berlow, a criminal solicitor based in Glasgow, faces a £500 fine following a probe by the Law Society of Scotland, the local Daily Record newspaper reported Monday.”
“The reporter for the LSS found that Ed Sutherland, a teacher at Belmont Academy in Ayr, had created a Facebook account with the alias “Steve Harrison” which, under the guise of being a pro-Palestinian activist, he then used to associate himself with the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC).”
“Sutherland is an associate of Berlow and both men have ties to a UK-based Israel advocacy group, the Record reported.”
“In January the Harrison account posted a message claiming Berlow’s home in Glasgow had been vandalized with graffiti.”
“Berlow, who has in the past said he is married to a Muslim, then commented writing “Idiocy. Typical SPSC behaviour criminal.””
“Berlow later admitted he knew the graffiti attack was fake, reportedly telling the LSS that he played along because the Harrison persona was being used “to monitor various disruptive activities of the SPSC.””
“It is not the first time that Berlow has fallen foul of the Law Society of Scotland with his activism on behalf of Israel.”
“In 2018 he was ordered to undergo “diversity training” and pay a fine over an online spat with pro-Palestinian campaigners in which he used strong language.”
“Berlow told The Herald at the time that he was ordered a fine of £1,750 as well as an additional £100 to University of Aberdeen lecturer and pro-Palestinian campaigner Dr. Karolin Hijazi, for calling her a “snowflake” and a “wannabe justice warrior.””
Read more: Scottish Jewish lawyer plotted to frame pro-Palestinian group for home vandalism
2021-week26
