SHOCKING graffiti was discovered in a school with a significant proportion of Jewish students this week. 

The girls toilets at Mearns Castle High School in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire were emblazoned with anti-Israel graffiti including "Free Palestine!" and "F*** Israel."

According to The Times, Jewish children who attend the school were distressed and alarmed at seeing the vandalism.

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It comes as tensions between Israel and Gaza flared up last week and Israel launched airstrikes on the Palestinians.

According to the widely adopted working definition of anti-Semitism, set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the graffiti could be perceived as anti-semitic as it has targeted a school where there is a Jewish link. A significant number of the pupils who attend Mearns Castle are Jews.

Their website states: "Criminal acts are antisemitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property – such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries – are selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked to Jews."

A spokesman from East Renfrewshire Council confirmed that the graffiti was removed immediately. He said: “We take a zero tolerance approach to offensive behaviour of this nature and are currently investigating the circumstances of this isolated incident.

"As soon as we were made aware of this graffiti it was removed immediately. We promote an ethos of equity and equality and foster good relationships in all our schools and this matter will be dealt with in line with those policies.”

Police Scotland were alerted to the incident yesterday. 

Inspector Michelle Grant, of the East Renfrewshire Community Police Team, said: "We were made aware of the graffiti at a school in the Newton Mearns area during the morning of Thursday, 20 May.

"Officers are liaising with partners at East Renfrewshire Council and providing the school with appropriate support."