ZACK Polanski has slammed right-wing politicians' "hatred" after five people were left injured following an "anti-Muslim" attack in Edinburgh.
Police Scotland said on Sunday that a 36-year-old white man has been charged in connection with a series of attacks in Edinburgh that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred”.
Footage posted online showed a bare-chested man roaming the streets of Edinburgh with a large weapon.
Police closed off Leith Walk on Friday evening as the incidents unfolded and another video appeared to show a topless man on the ground shouting that he is “protecting the country” as he is held by an officer.
Several of the victims are Muslim, according to the Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) organisation. Counter-terror police are investigating.
Following the incident, Polanski, the leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, said: "Let's be very clear that vicious anti-Muslim hatred by politicians and their trillionaire mate Elon Musk create the conditions for this kind of vile attack.
"Sending huge solidarity to the Muslim community in Edinburgh and beyond."
Polanski's deputy Mothin Ali also stepped in. He said: "Reform, Restore et al have been inciting hatred and this is the consequence.
"And where are the speeches from ministers saying how laws need to be changed, marches need to be stopped and phrases need to be banned."
Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf echoed the sentiment too, singling out Restore Britain chief Rupert Lowe.
"Hey @RupertLowe10 you blew the dog-whistle this week, and people have reacted exactly how you wanted them to," the former SNP leader wrote on Twitter/X.
"Over 4m Muslims in the UK, and you have made every single one of us a target.
"You should be utterly ashamed of yourself."
Scotland's largest trade union body, the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), also highlighted the media's role in the attacks.
STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: "The incident in Edinburgh this past week did not happen by accident. It is the product of right-wing forces, both in our politics and in our media, whipping people into a false frenzy of hatred and division."
Others noted the muted reaction to the incident in comparison to other violent attacks seen in the UK in recent months and years.
"No Cobra meeting @Keir_Starmer? No headlines @BBCWorld?" wrote Scottish historian William Dalrymple. "Why are stabbed Muslims of absolutely no consequence to anyone in power in the UK?"
Author and National contributor Owen Jones also questioned why no Cobra meeting had been called, as had happened in London following an attack on one Muslim man and two Jewish men last month.
Meanwhile in Edinburgh, a Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been set up to encourage members of the public to submit information directly to officers.
Police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist with inquiries to upload it using an online form.
Scottish Government’s Justice Secretary Neil Gray said: “These attacks were awful and my thoughts are with those who were injured and affected by them.
“As Police Scotland have said, there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in Scotland.
“They have also confirmed that a man has been arrested, there is no threat to the public and their inquiries are ongoing. I encourage anyone with information to contact the police.
“This was clearly a very serious incident and my thanks go to the emergency services for their bravery and skill in bringing the incident under control.”
