27-01-2025
Sheffield gym-goer asked to remove 'Free Palestine' T-shirt after complaint
A gym-goer claims he was asked to remove his 'Free Palestine' T-shirt during a workout after another customer said it was "offensive".Jasvinder Khosa, 64, said he had worn the T-shirt for the past five years without issue but, on 15 January, a member of staff at the Virgin Active in Nether Edge, Sheffield, asked him to take it retired teacher said it was his "right" to wear the shirt, which also calls for a boycott on Israel on the reverse, but that it was not his intention to "upset" Active has not yet responded to a BBC request for comment, but, according to its website, the company states that people may be asked to leave if their attire is not considered "suitable".
As well as the words on the reverse, Mr Khosa's T-shirt also features an image of a missile over a from Ireland, Mr Khosa suffered a stroke 30 years ago which required three brain operations and left the right side of his body severely weakened. He works out regularly to build up his strength."The gym not only exercises my body but is really good for my mental health," he himself as "strongly against" Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories, he said his intention was not to "upset" people."I want people to come up to me and have an open discussion."People have stopped me before and said 'good on you'. I've gone for coffee with other people and talked about this stuff."Ultimately, it's my right to wear this T-shirt."According to Virgin Active's club rules', users "must be dressed in suitable attire at all times when on club premises" and "the Club General Manager may, at his/her/their discretion, require you to leave a Club or part of a Club premises, if your attire is not considered suitable".
Israel has occupied the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank since 1967. In October 2023 gunmen from Hamas – which runs Gaza and is designated a terrorist organisation by the UK government – launched attacks on southern Israel killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 reprisal, Israel launched air strikes and a ground invasion of Gaza with the aim of eliminating Hamas. More than 45,000 people have been killed in the Israeli campaign according to the Hamas-run health ministry.A ceasefire has been in place since earlier this month, with some Israeli hostages being exchanged for Palestinian Khosa admitted that he "doesn't know" whether he will wear the T-shirt at the gym again, especially if Virgin Active threaten to take away his membership"I need to come here and do my stretching so I need to have a good think about this," he BBC has approached Virgin Active for a comment but has not yet received a to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
