Latest news with #UKLawyersforIsrael
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Pro-Israel lobby lauds Glasgow Film Theatre after BDS vote
Caroline Turner, director of UK Lawyers for Israel told The Herald: 'We are pleased that the Trustees of GFT have decided to reject these endorsements. These campaigns were part of a central Palestinian boycotting organisation whose aim is the destruction of the Jewish State. 'The film theatre had upset many of its regular Jewish film goers by its boycott of Coca Cola products earlier this year, and the anti-Israel statements made by some of its staff.' The BDS movement calls for a boycott of all Israeli goods. The BDS movement was set up by 170 Palestinian civil groups in 2005 as a form of non-violent "pressure" on Israel and has gained worldwide support, often being compared to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. The collective has called on Israel to 'end its colonisation and occupation' of Arab lands, recognise the 'fundamental rights' of Arab-Palestien citizens of Israel, and 'respect and protect' the rights of Palestinian refugees. Adherents of the movement advocate for a full economic and cultural boycott of Israeli goods and companies, and protest against international companies with close ties to the Israeli state. Three members of the GFT's trustee board resigned in protest over the cinema's decision. A joint statement reads: 'We cannot in good conscience continue to serve on the board of the GFT. In addition to our concerns related to governance and decision-making processes, we are also deeply concerned about the attitude the GFT has shown toward our unionised workers.' In February, Unite Hospitality union members, which make up 85% of front-of-house and cleaning staff at the cinema, announced they would refuse to serve Coca-Cola products due to the company's ties to Israel. This led to the removal of the brand from the GFT bar. Coca Cola was among the products to be banned at the GFT (Image: PA).The theatre was hit with a legal threat after UK Lawyers for Israel wrote a letter to charity regulator OSCR alleging the boycott breached the cinema's 'charitable objects'. The complaint was ultimately dismissed. In a statement published on Thursday evening, the charity said: 'As an independent charity, trustees are legally required to act in the best interests of the charity, and in line with its charitable objects which are, for Glasgow Film, principally to educate the public about film. 'To meet this obligation, we believe that all decisions, including those relating to ethical purchasing and programming, should be taken independently, and on a case-by-case basis, informed by robust internal policies and processes.' The cinema's board also said that a full review of their 'ethical policies and practices' would be carried out, including the sale of products in their bar, and that the work of Palestinian artists would continue to be platformed. UKLFI's Turner added: 'It is good news that the GFT is now considering ethical and inclusive programming and purchasing. We hope that their inclusive programming will also include Israeli films.' The GFT board voted against endorsing the BDS movement. (Image: Newsquest) However, angry patrons hit out as news of the decision spread online Thursday night. Ruth Gilbert, national campaigns chair for Living Rent, posted to X: 'This is pathetic and embarrassing. Against the will of your unionised staff, your customers, and members of your board, you can't even commit to the bare minimum of solidarity with the Palestinian people? Many will vote with their feet if you don't reconsider.' Similarly, Emma Diamond remarked: 'So disappointed to read this, as a long term member & supporter I really hoped for better. 'It's not enough to pledge to platform Palestinian voices, what voices will there be left to 'platform' if this genocide continues.' Andy Ashe added: 'Apart from the obvious ethical consequences, I think you have vastly underestimated your customers' commitment to Palestine.' Read more: Coca-Cola to be removed from Glasgow Film Theatre bar after staff boycott Glasgow Film Theatre could ban Disney films as staff push for Israel boycott Glasgow Film Theatre reported to charity regulator over Coca-Cola boycott In response to the decision, campaign group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland said: 'We ask audiences, film-workers and partners, to email the Chief Executive of GFT Allison Gardner to make your voice heard and demand a reversal to this decision which undermines GFT's very reason for existence as an independent cinema. "GFT directly benefits in numerous ways from the optics of screening radical anti-colonial films. We refuse to let them disguise their lack of ethics with a progressive veneer. GFT is publicly funded and we, the public, are here to assert that film is political. We will not back down.'
The Advertiser
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Two wrongs don't make a right. The children's anguish tells you that
This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to The footage is haunting. Screaming children, desperate for food, swarming over a makeshift kitchen. Tiny hands scraping what they can from pots emptied by the bigger kids. A few grains of rice and lentils - anything to relieve the aching hunger that's been gnawing at them for more than 80 days, ever since Israel blocked all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. A world away in London, advocacy group UK Lawyers for Israel makes a sickening statement, that the war in Gaza with all its privations might be good for Palestinians, that the lack of food might address their obesity problem - might even increase their life expectancy. Such cavalier insensitivity carries a sinister echo from last century, when Germany was making plans to lay waste to Russia. Similar dehumanising footage emerged in the early days of Operation Barbarossa, when starving Russian POWs behind barbed wire were filmed fighting over scraps of bread tossed to them by their captors. During the Nuremberg trials after the war, Soviet prosecutors estimated 3 million Russians had been starved to death during the German invasion. The policy of denying civilians food even had a name. It was known as the Hunger Plan. Israel denies it is using starvation as a weapon of war. This week it announced it will allow some basic food back into Gaza as it intensifies military operations, including targeting hospitals in relentless air strikes. This, it says, is to avoid a famine. More like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. A much more likely motivation is Donald Trump's recent visit to the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia. It would be hard for the Netanyahu government not to feel a twinge of misgiving that even Trump might be losing patience with its heavy handedness. There's heavy symbolism in Israel being left off the president's itinerary as he toured the Middle East. The growing sense of isolation is evident on the Israeli news websites. This concession on food aid is, however, just a token. Israel says it will allow only 10 per cent of the 600 trucks a day needed to deliver sufficient aid to Gaza. So the harrowing images of hollow-eyed children fighting for scraps of food will continue. They will be a stain on Israel for years to come, just as the terrible images of bloodied Israelis being dragged into Gaza on October 7, 2023 will forever cast Hamas as the personification of barbarity. Israel's fanatical finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has made clear his intentions for Gaza. Early this month he predicted the strip would be destroyed, its population herded into a small swathe of land on the Egyptian border. Israel would annex the entire strip. There's nothing new in Smotrich's hardline attitude towards the Palestinians; he's been hawking it for years. But now even the US is pushing back. When Smotrich called for two Palestinian villages in the West Bank to be "erased" following attacks on settlers last week, the State Department called it an incitement to violence which Prime Minister Netanyahu should disavow. The rebuke, issued when the president was in the Middle East, signals the Trump administration might be beginning to realise something the rest of us have known since the early days of the Gaza war: that two wrongs don't make a right. Never have. Never will. You only have to look at the anguish on those Palestinian children's faces to see that. HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Israel using starvation as a weapon of war? Can it hope to restore its international standing when the world sees images of starving kids fighting for food? Is it finally dawning on the US that Israel's behaviour in Gaza is unacceptable? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Indonesia has raised the alert level of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki to the highest after it erupted eight times over the weekend. Lewotobi Laki-laki, on Flores island in eastern Indonesia, spewed volcanic ash between three to 5.5 kilometres high on Sunday, the nation's volcanology agency said. - Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer which has spread to his bones. - Hundreds of people across NSW have been arrested during a domestic and family violence blitz. Police arrested 627 people and levied 1316 charges amid Operation Amarok X from May 14 to May 17. THEY SAID IT: "Misery, mutilation, destruction, terror, starvation and death characterise the process of war and form a principal part of the product." - Lewis Mumford YOU SAID IT: When the US health secretary takes a dip in Washington's most contaminated creek and posts about it social media, when the president sees nothing wrong about accepting a luxury jumbo jet as a gift from a foreign government, Australians can feel grateful we haven't reached that level of craziness. Old Donald writes: "It's so hard to isolate any of the egregious American nonsense, with so many stupid acts on display: and yet these buffoons at the top were elected by a free and democratic society. Every American had their chance to say 'F off.' Half of them didn't even exercise their right to vote. We must be so grateful to our forefathers for compulsory voting (regardless of any political reasons they might have had). 2025 has shown that it's what ultimately keeps the sewer rats in their sewers." "Trump needs people around him like RFK Jnr," writes John. "It makes Trump look intelligent." Maggie writes: "The brain worm did a thorough job, and appears to have spread." "I am not overly concerned about President Trump accepting a gift on behalf of the American people," writes Murray. "It's out in the open and apart from the usual quid pro quo resulting from the giving and accepting of a gift, I suspect it's just the normal 'Trump did it so it must be wrong'. It is true though, the current administration in the US resembles a lunatic asylum. Which only shows how incredibly bad the Biden government was. Donald Trump won in a landslide and was given a mandate to fix the country. When voters see Trump as the only viable option things are dire. Dire indeed." Of corruption, Michele writes: "It is the mentality of the public that says it's OK and therefore it grows like cancer and the gifts in exchange for favours gets bigger and more valuable. We are just not always aware of it. On the matter of Medicare, Australia has one of the best systems in the world and other countries should be using us as their benchmark. In a civilised society with the taxes that is raised, we all should have the facilities to keep healthy no matter where we live in our vast country. Keeping the population healthy is an investment in people and in return, they will inject their labour to support it by working longer, either for money or volunteering. We need to keep improving it by supporting Labor for the Urgent Care Clinics. However, we need the health system to tailor them to suit each specific environment to maximise their benefits and reduce overall costs which are higher when attending local hospitals." "The decline of the Roman empire was accompanied by incompetent and amoral leadership, an avaricious elite, corruption, inflation, financial crises, and heavy exploitation of a vast immiserated underclass," writes Phil. "Sounds familiar, does it not? The USA is in terminal decline. A new world order is going to evolve. Australia should earnestly, but cautiously, seek new allies and trading partners. The UK should look to repair its economy by grasping the remarkably providential chance to re-engage with Europe." Jennifer asks: "When did the US have credibility? They market poor quality products and ideas, whether intelligence, health care, poverty or disaster support for their own people. Sadly we copy them and follow them, harming our own people. We deny reality rather than paying attention to those warning us of the risks. We must make informed decisions for Australia's future, rather than lazily travelling in the US slipstream. Hopefully that is now obvious to all. For me, US credibility was lost decades ago with Vietnam, Iraq, exacerbated with Biden sending weapons to Israel so they could kill more civilians and completely trashed with the re-election of Trump and actions since. Too often the US supports others to break international law and abuse ordinary people." "We know why RFK was appointed to his position so his ignorance in health matters just like his boss should not surprise us," writes Arthur. "Medicare in Australia has a fundamental problem that neither side of politics is willing to fix. The problem is that unless a patient pays the full cost of a consultation up front the doctor has to choose between accepting a bulk billing payment or no payment at all. The bulk billing payment is often if not always below the cost of providing quality service. A simple change in the rules to enable the doctor to receive the Medicare payment irrespective of whether the patient has paid a gap or not would go a long way to improving Medicare. The gap payment should be negotiated between the doctor and the patient without government interference." Jan has an admission: "In my young mad days, late primary age, I swam across the Cooks River and back at Undercliffe. I remember a couple stopping, probably in concern, and watching till I clambered onto the bank. All those years ago, there was dirt clinging to my skin!! Stupid!" "Yes, you're right - the US is up Shit Creek with crazy Kennedy as health secretary, the developed world's worst health system and an even more dangerous, unpredictable president," writes David. "Australians and Canadians anti-Trump election votes were sensible and timely. However, we shouldn't be too cocky about our own health system with a worrying decline in vaccination rates, especially for children and a privatised dental system that is beyond the financial reach of many." Patricia writes: "You just drove a few more nails into the coffin of that once great country the USA. I always say that you shouldn't get too wrapped up in the publicity about your greatness, especially when you created the publicity." "The US lost all credibility with me when it elected Donald Trump for the second time," writes Barney. "If it was possible I'd say it's just gone downhill from there - where do you go from 'lost all credibility' anyway? The thing I really find incredible is that other so-called world leaders think it's possible to deal with the current US administration in any way. It isn't. The only thing you can rely upon is that Trump and his minions will do you down despite any 'deal' they might agree to; probably before the felt pen's ink is dry on the documentation. The only way to deal with the US going forward is not to make any deals at all." Chris writes: "Those poor grandchildren! They trust an adult to look after them and he lets them swim in pollution? Are they even vaccinated? And hopefully most Australians have more sense than to OK policies like those in America. As for the gifted aircraft - the superr-ich looking after themselves." "Thanks to Arthur and Col whose comments have moved us past the knee jerk reaction to the case of the 'deserting pollies', the end of that logic trail can unfortunately end at the Stair of Circumlocution," writes Susan (one s). "Moving on, RFK Jnr is perhaps looking for an Olympics in DC and trying to prove that the river is safe? Attempting to assert himself as a whole human being rather than understanding bell curves of ability and immune response? Anyway the rains and cold weather have given me a great excuse to return the Iain M Banks Culture series novels: The Player of Games: 'That intelligence could surpass and excel the blind force of evolution with its emphasis on mutation, struggle and death? That conscious cooperation was more efficient than feral competition?'" Ian writes: "This is so incredible it just defies any sense of logic. There is no intelligence or dignity left in American leadership. I just cannot imagine where this is all leading." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to The footage is haunting. Screaming children, desperate for food, swarming over a makeshift kitchen. Tiny hands scraping what they can from pots emptied by the bigger kids. A few grains of rice and lentils - anything to relieve the aching hunger that's been gnawing at them for more than 80 days, ever since Israel blocked all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. A world away in London, advocacy group UK Lawyers for Israel makes a sickening statement, that the war in Gaza with all its privations might be good for Palestinians, that the lack of food might address their obesity problem - might even increase their life expectancy. Such cavalier insensitivity carries a sinister echo from last century, when Germany was making plans to lay waste to Russia. Similar dehumanising footage emerged in the early days of Operation Barbarossa, when starving Russian POWs behind barbed wire were filmed fighting over scraps of bread tossed to them by their captors. During the Nuremberg trials after the war, Soviet prosecutors estimated 3 million Russians had been starved to death during the German invasion. The policy of denying civilians food even had a name. It was known as the Hunger Plan. Israel denies it is using starvation as a weapon of war. This week it announced it will allow some basic food back into Gaza as it intensifies military operations, including targeting hospitals in relentless air strikes. This, it says, is to avoid a famine. More like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. A much more likely motivation is Donald Trump's recent visit to the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia. It would be hard for the Netanyahu government not to feel a twinge of misgiving that even Trump might be losing patience with its heavy handedness. There's heavy symbolism in Israel being left off the president's itinerary as he toured the Middle East. The growing sense of isolation is evident on the Israeli news websites. This concession on food aid is, however, just a token. Israel says it will allow only 10 per cent of the 600 trucks a day needed to deliver sufficient aid to Gaza. So the harrowing images of hollow-eyed children fighting for scraps of food will continue. They will be a stain on Israel for years to come, just as the terrible images of bloodied Israelis being dragged into Gaza on October 7, 2023 will forever cast Hamas as the personification of barbarity. Israel's fanatical finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has made clear his intentions for Gaza. Early this month he predicted the strip would be destroyed, its population herded into a small swathe of land on the Egyptian border. Israel would annex the entire strip. There's nothing new in Smotrich's hardline attitude towards the Palestinians; he's been hawking it for years. But now even the US is pushing back. When Smotrich called for two Palestinian villages in the West Bank to be "erased" following attacks on settlers last week, the State Department called it an incitement to violence which Prime Minister Netanyahu should disavow. The rebuke, issued when the president was in the Middle East, signals the Trump administration might be beginning to realise something the rest of us have known since the early days of the Gaza war: that two wrongs don't make a right. Never have. Never will. You only have to look at the anguish on those Palestinian children's faces to see that. HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Israel using starvation as a weapon of war? Can it hope to restore its international standing when the world sees images of starving kids fighting for food? Is it finally dawning on the US that Israel's behaviour in Gaza is unacceptable? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Indonesia has raised the alert level of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki to the highest after it erupted eight times over the weekend. Lewotobi Laki-laki, on Flores island in eastern Indonesia, spewed volcanic ash between three to 5.5 kilometres high on Sunday, the nation's volcanology agency said. - Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer which has spread to his bones. - Hundreds of people across NSW have been arrested during a domestic and family violence blitz. Police arrested 627 people and levied 1316 charges amid Operation Amarok X from May 14 to May 17. THEY SAID IT: "Misery, mutilation, destruction, terror, starvation and death characterise the process of war and form a principal part of the product." - Lewis Mumford YOU SAID IT: When the US health secretary takes a dip in Washington's most contaminated creek and posts about it social media, when the president sees nothing wrong about accepting a luxury jumbo jet as a gift from a foreign government, Australians can feel grateful we haven't reached that level of craziness. Old Donald writes: "It's so hard to isolate any of the egregious American nonsense, with so many stupid acts on display: and yet these buffoons at the top were elected by a free and democratic society. Every American had their chance to say 'F off.' Half of them didn't even exercise their right to vote. We must be so grateful to our forefathers for compulsory voting (regardless of any political reasons they might have had). 2025 has shown that it's what ultimately keeps the sewer rats in their sewers." "Trump needs people around him like RFK Jnr," writes John. "It makes Trump look intelligent." Maggie writes: "The brain worm did a thorough job, and appears to have spread." "I am not overly concerned about President Trump accepting a gift on behalf of the American people," writes Murray. "It's out in the open and apart from the usual quid pro quo resulting from the giving and accepting of a gift, I suspect it's just the normal 'Trump did it so it must be wrong'. It is true though, the current administration in the US resembles a lunatic asylum. Which only shows how incredibly bad the Biden government was. Donald Trump won in a landslide and was given a mandate to fix the country. When voters see Trump as the only viable option things are dire. Dire indeed." Of corruption, Michele writes: "It is the mentality of the public that says it's OK and therefore it grows like cancer and the gifts in exchange for favours gets bigger and more valuable. We are just not always aware of it. On the matter of Medicare, Australia has one of the best systems in the world and other countries should be using us as their benchmark. In a civilised society with the taxes that is raised, we all should have the facilities to keep healthy no matter where we live in our vast country. Keeping the population healthy is an investment in people and in return, they will inject their labour to support it by working longer, either for money or volunteering. We need to keep improving it by supporting Labor for the Urgent Care Clinics. However, we need the health system to tailor them to suit each specific environment to maximise their benefits and reduce overall costs which are higher when attending local hospitals." "The decline of the Roman empire was accompanied by incompetent and amoral leadership, an avaricious elite, corruption, inflation, financial crises, and heavy exploitation of a vast immiserated underclass," writes Phil. "Sounds familiar, does it not? The USA is in terminal decline. A new world order is going to evolve. Australia should earnestly, but cautiously, seek new allies and trading partners. The UK should look to repair its economy by grasping the remarkably providential chance to re-engage with Europe." Jennifer asks: "When did the US have credibility? They market poor quality products and ideas, whether intelligence, health care, poverty or disaster support for their own people. Sadly we copy them and follow them, harming our own people. We deny reality rather than paying attention to those warning us of the risks. We must make informed decisions for Australia's future, rather than lazily travelling in the US slipstream. Hopefully that is now obvious to all. For me, US credibility was lost decades ago with Vietnam, Iraq, exacerbated with Biden sending weapons to Israel so they could kill more civilians and completely trashed with the re-election of Trump and actions since. Too often the US supports others to break international law and abuse ordinary people." "We know why RFK was appointed to his position so his ignorance in health matters just like his boss should not surprise us," writes Arthur. "Medicare in Australia has a fundamental problem that neither side of politics is willing to fix. The problem is that unless a patient pays the full cost of a consultation up front the doctor has to choose between accepting a bulk billing payment or no payment at all. The bulk billing payment is often if not always below the cost of providing quality service. A simple change in the rules to enable the doctor to receive the Medicare payment irrespective of whether the patient has paid a gap or not would go a long way to improving Medicare. The gap payment should be negotiated between the doctor and the patient without government interference." Jan has an admission: "In my young mad days, late primary age, I swam across the Cooks River and back at Undercliffe. I remember a couple stopping, probably in concern, and watching till I clambered onto the bank. All those years ago, there was dirt clinging to my skin!! Stupid!" "Yes, you're right - the US is up Shit Creek with crazy Kennedy as health secretary, the developed world's worst health system and an even more dangerous, unpredictable president," writes David. "Australians and Canadians anti-Trump election votes were sensible and timely. However, we shouldn't be too cocky about our own health system with a worrying decline in vaccination rates, especially for children and a privatised dental system that is beyond the financial reach of many." Patricia writes: "You just drove a few more nails into the coffin of that once great country the USA. I always say that you shouldn't get too wrapped up in the publicity about your greatness, especially when you created the publicity." "The US lost all credibility with me when it elected Donald Trump for the second time," writes Barney. "If it was possible I'd say it's just gone downhill from there - where do you go from 'lost all credibility' anyway? The thing I really find incredible is that other so-called world leaders think it's possible to deal with the current US administration in any way. It isn't. The only thing you can rely upon is that Trump and his minions will do you down despite any 'deal' they might agree to; probably before the felt pen's ink is dry on the documentation. The only way to deal with the US going forward is not to make any deals at all." Chris writes: "Those poor grandchildren! They trust an adult to look after them and he lets them swim in pollution? Are they even vaccinated? And hopefully most Australians have more sense than to OK policies like those in America. As for the gifted aircraft - the superr-ich looking after themselves." "Thanks to Arthur and Col whose comments have moved us past the knee jerk reaction to the case of the 'deserting pollies', the end of that logic trail can unfortunately end at the Stair of Circumlocution," writes Susan (one s). "Moving on, RFK Jnr is perhaps looking for an Olympics in DC and trying to prove that the river is safe? Attempting to assert himself as a whole human being rather than understanding bell curves of ability and immune response? Anyway the rains and cold weather have given me a great excuse to return the Iain M Banks Culture series novels: The Player of Games: 'That intelligence could surpass and excel the blind force of evolution with its emphasis on mutation, struggle and death? That conscious cooperation was more efficient than feral competition?'" Ian writes: "This is so incredible it just defies any sense of logic. There is no intelligence or dignity left in American leadership. I just cannot imagine where this is all leading." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to The footage is haunting. Screaming children, desperate for food, swarming over a makeshift kitchen. Tiny hands scraping what they can from pots emptied by the bigger kids. A few grains of rice and lentils - anything to relieve the aching hunger that's been gnawing at them for more than 80 days, ever since Israel blocked all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. A world away in London, advocacy group UK Lawyers for Israel makes a sickening statement, that the war in Gaza with all its privations might be good for Palestinians, that the lack of food might address their obesity problem - might even increase their life expectancy. Such cavalier insensitivity carries a sinister echo from last century, when Germany was making plans to lay waste to Russia. Similar dehumanising footage emerged in the early days of Operation Barbarossa, when starving Russian POWs behind barbed wire were filmed fighting over scraps of bread tossed to them by their captors. During the Nuremberg trials after the war, Soviet prosecutors estimated 3 million Russians had been starved to death during the German invasion. The policy of denying civilians food even had a name. It was known as the Hunger Plan. Israel denies it is using starvation as a weapon of war. This week it announced it will allow some basic food back into Gaza as it intensifies military operations, including targeting hospitals in relentless air strikes. This, it says, is to avoid a famine. More like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. A much more likely motivation is Donald Trump's recent visit to the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia. It would be hard for the Netanyahu government not to feel a twinge of misgiving that even Trump might be losing patience with its heavy handedness. There's heavy symbolism in Israel being left off the president's itinerary as he toured the Middle East. The growing sense of isolation is evident on the Israeli news websites. This concession on food aid is, however, just a token. Israel says it will allow only 10 per cent of the 600 trucks a day needed to deliver sufficient aid to Gaza. So the harrowing images of hollow-eyed children fighting for scraps of food will continue. They will be a stain on Israel for years to come, just as the terrible images of bloodied Israelis being dragged into Gaza on October 7, 2023 will forever cast Hamas as the personification of barbarity. Israel's fanatical finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has made clear his intentions for Gaza. Early this month he predicted the strip would be destroyed, its population herded into a small swathe of land on the Egyptian border. Israel would annex the entire strip. There's nothing new in Smotrich's hardline attitude towards the Palestinians; he's been hawking it for years. But now even the US is pushing back. When Smotrich called for two Palestinian villages in the West Bank to be "erased" following attacks on settlers last week, the State Department called it an incitement to violence which Prime Minister Netanyahu should disavow. The rebuke, issued when the president was in the Middle East, signals the Trump administration might be beginning to realise something the rest of us have known since the early days of the Gaza war: that two wrongs don't make a right. Never have. Never will. You only have to look at the anguish on those Palestinian children's faces to see that. HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Israel using starvation as a weapon of war? Can it hope to restore its international standing when the world sees images of starving kids fighting for food? Is it finally dawning on the US that Israel's behaviour in Gaza is unacceptable? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Indonesia has raised the alert level of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki to the highest after it erupted eight times over the weekend. Lewotobi Laki-laki, on Flores island in eastern Indonesia, spewed volcanic ash between three to 5.5 kilometres high on Sunday, the nation's volcanology agency said. - Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer which has spread to his bones. - Hundreds of people across NSW have been arrested during a domestic and family violence blitz. Police arrested 627 people and levied 1316 charges amid Operation Amarok X from May 14 to May 17. THEY SAID IT: "Misery, mutilation, destruction, terror, starvation and death characterise the process of war and form a principal part of the product." - Lewis Mumford YOU SAID IT: When the US health secretary takes a dip in Washington's most contaminated creek and posts about it social media, when the president sees nothing wrong about accepting a luxury jumbo jet as a gift from a foreign government, Australians can feel grateful we haven't reached that level of craziness. Old Donald writes: "It's so hard to isolate any of the egregious American nonsense, with so many stupid acts on display: and yet these buffoons at the top were elected by a free and democratic society. Every American had their chance to say 'F off.' Half of them didn't even exercise their right to vote. We must be so grateful to our forefathers for compulsory voting (regardless of any political reasons they might have had). 2025 has shown that it's what ultimately keeps the sewer rats in their sewers." "Trump needs people around him like RFK Jnr," writes John. "It makes Trump look intelligent." Maggie writes: "The brain worm did a thorough job, and appears to have spread." "I am not overly concerned about President Trump accepting a gift on behalf of the American people," writes Murray. "It's out in the open and apart from the usual quid pro quo resulting from the giving and accepting of a gift, I suspect it's just the normal 'Trump did it so it must be wrong'. It is true though, the current administration in the US resembles a lunatic asylum. Which only shows how incredibly bad the Biden government was. Donald Trump won in a landslide and was given a mandate to fix the country. When voters see Trump as the only viable option things are dire. Dire indeed." Of corruption, Michele writes: "It is the mentality of the public that says it's OK and therefore it grows like cancer and the gifts in exchange for favours gets bigger and more valuable. We are just not always aware of it. On the matter of Medicare, Australia has one of the best systems in the world and other countries should be using us as their benchmark. In a civilised society with the taxes that is raised, we all should have the facilities to keep healthy no matter where we live in our vast country. Keeping the population healthy is an investment in people and in return, they will inject their labour to support it by working longer, either for money or volunteering. We need to keep improving it by supporting Labor for the Urgent Care Clinics. However, we need the health system to tailor them to suit each specific environment to maximise their benefits and reduce overall costs which are higher when attending local hospitals." "The decline of the Roman empire was accompanied by incompetent and amoral leadership, an avaricious elite, corruption, inflation, financial crises, and heavy exploitation of a vast immiserated underclass," writes Phil. "Sounds familiar, does it not? The USA is in terminal decline. A new world order is going to evolve. Australia should earnestly, but cautiously, seek new allies and trading partners. The UK should look to repair its economy by grasping the remarkably providential chance to re-engage with Europe." Jennifer asks: "When did the US have credibility? They market poor quality products and ideas, whether intelligence, health care, poverty or disaster support for their own people. Sadly we copy them and follow them, harming our own people. We deny reality rather than paying attention to those warning us of the risks. We must make informed decisions for Australia's future, rather than lazily travelling in the US slipstream. Hopefully that is now obvious to all. For me, US credibility was lost decades ago with Vietnam, Iraq, exacerbated with Biden sending weapons to Israel so they could kill more civilians and completely trashed with the re-election of Trump and actions since. Too often the US supports others to break international law and abuse ordinary people." "We know why RFK was appointed to his position so his ignorance in health matters just like his boss should not surprise us," writes Arthur. "Medicare in Australia has a fundamental problem that neither side of politics is willing to fix. The problem is that unless a patient pays the full cost of a consultation up front the doctor has to choose between accepting a bulk billing payment or no payment at all. The bulk billing payment is often if not always below the cost of providing quality service. A simple change in the rules to enable the doctor to receive the Medicare payment irrespective of whether the patient has paid a gap or not would go a long way to improving Medicare. The gap payment should be negotiated between the doctor and the patient without government interference." Jan has an admission: "In my young mad days, late primary age, I swam across the Cooks River and back at Undercliffe. I remember a couple stopping, probably in concern, and watching till I clambered onto the bank. All those years ago, there was dirt clinging to my skin!! Stupid!" "Yes, you're right - the US is up Shit Creek with crazy Kennedy as health secretary, the developed world's worst health system and an even more dangerous, unpredictable president," writes David. "Australians and Canadians anti-Trump election votes were sensible and timely. However, we shouldn't be too cocky about our own health system with a worrying decline in vaccination rates, especially for children and a privatised dental system that is beyond the financial reach of many." Patricia writes: "You just drove a few more nails into the coffin of that once great country the USA. I always say that you shouldn't get too wrapped up in the publicity about your greatness, especially when you created the publicity." "The US lost all credibility with me when it elected Donald Trump for the second time," writes Barney. "If it was possible I'd say it's just gone downhill from there - where do you go from 'lost all credibility' anyway? The thing I really find incredible is that other so-called world leaders think it's possible to deal with the current US administration in any way. It isn't. The only thing you can rely upon is that Trump and his minions will do you down despite any 'deal' they might agree to; probably before the felt pen's ink is dry on the documentation. The only way to deal with the US going forward is not to make any deals at all." Chris writes: "Those poor grandchildren! They trust an adult to look after them and he lets them swim in pollution? Are they even vaccinated? And hopefully most Australians have more sense than to OK policies like those in America. As for the gifted aircraft - the superr-ich looking after themselves." "Thanks to Arthur and Col whose comments have moved us past the knee jerk reaction to the case of the 'deserting pollies', the end of that logic trail can unfortunately end at the Stair of Circumlocution," writes Susan (one s). "Moving on, RFK Jnr is perhaps looking for an Olympics in DC and trying to prove that the river is safe? Attempting to assert himself as a whole human being rather than understanding bell curves of ability and immune response? Anyway the rains and cold weather have given me a great excuse to return the Iain M Banks Culture series novels: The Player of Games: 'That intelligence could surpass and excel the blind force of evolution with its emphasis on mutation, struggle and death? That conscious cooperation was more efficient than feral competition?'" Ian writes: "This is so incredible it just defies any sense of logic. There is no intelligence or dignity left in American leadership. I just cannot imagine where this is all leading." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to The footage is haunting. Screaming children, desperate for food, swarming over a makeshift kitchen. Tiny hands scraping what they can from pots emptied by the bigger kids. A few grains of rice and lentils - anything to relieve the aching hunger that's been gnawing at them for more than 80 days, ever since Israel blocked all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. A world away in London, advocacy group UK Lawyers for Israel makes a sickening statement, that the war in Gaza with all its privations might be good for Palestinians, that the lack of food might address their obesity problem - might even increase their life expectancy. Such cavalier insensitivity carries a sinister echo from last century, when Germany was making plans to lay waste to Russia. Similar dehumanising footage emerged in the early days of Operation Barbarossa, when starving Russian POWs behind barbed wire were filmed fighting over scraps of bread tossed to them by their captors. During the Nuremberg trials after the war, Soviet prosecutors estimated 3 million Russians had been starved to death during the German invasion. The policy of denying civilians food even had a name. It was known as the Hunger Plan. Israel denies it is using starvation as a weapon of war. This week it announced it will allow some basic food back into Gaza as it intensifies military operations, including targeting hospitals in relentless air strikes. This, it says, is to avoid a famine. More like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. A much more likely motivation is Donald Trump's recent visit to the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia. It would be hard for the Netanyahu government not to feel a twinge of misgiving that even Trump might be losing patience with its heavy handedness. There's heavy symbolism in Israel being left off the president's itinerary as he toured the Middle East. The growing sense of isolation is evident on the Israeli news websites. This concession on food aid is, however, just a token. Israel says it will allow only 10 per cent of the 600 trucks a day needed to deliver sufficient aid to Gaza. So the harrowing images of hollow-eyed children fighting for scraps of food will continue. They will be a stain on Israel for years to come, just as the terrible images of bloodied Israelis being dragged into Gaza on October 7, 2023 will forever cast Hamas as the personification of barbarity. Israel's fanatical finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has made clear his intentions for Gaza. Early this month he predicted the strip would be destroyed, its population herded into a small swathe of land on the Egyptian border. Israel would annex the entire strip. There's nothing new in Smotrich's hardline attitude towards the Palestinians; he's been hawking it for years. But now even the US is pushing back. When Smotrich called for two Palestinian villages in the West Bank to be "erased" following attacks on settlers last week, the State Department called it an incitement to violence which Prime Minister Netanyahu should disavow. The rebuke, issued when the president was in the Middle East, signals the Trump administration might be beginning to realise something the rest of us have known since the early days of the Gaza war: that two wrongs don't make a right. Never have. Never will. You only have to look at the anguish on those Palestinian children's faces to see that. HAVE YOUR SAY: Is Israel using starvation as a weapon of war? Can it hope to restore its international standing when the world sees images of starving kids fighting for food? Is it finally dawning on the US that Israel's behaviour in Gaza is unacceptable? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Indonesia has raised the alert level of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki to the highest after it erupted eight times over the weekend. Lewotobi Laki-laki, on Flores island in eastern Indonesia, spewed volcanic ash between three to 5.5 kilometres high on Sunday, the nation's volcanology agency said. - Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer which has spread to his bones. - Hundreds of people across NSW have been arrested during a domestic and family violence blitz. Police arrested 627 people and levied 1316 charges amid Operation Amarok X from May 14 to May 17. THEY SAID IT: "Misery, mutilation, destruction, terror, starvation and death characterise the process of war and form a principal part of the product." - Lewis Mumford YOU SAID IT: When the US health secretary takes a dip in Washington's most contaminated creek and posts about it social media, when the president sees nothing wrong about accepting a luxury jumbo jet as a gift from a foreign government, Australians can feel grateful we haven't reached that level of craziness. Old Donald writes: "It's so hard to isolate any of the egregious American nonsense, with so many stupid acts on display: and yet these buffoons at the top were elected by a free and democratic society. Every American had their chance to say 'F off.' Half of them didn't even exercise their right to vote. We must be so grateful to our forefathers for compulsory voting (regardless of any political reasons they might have had). 2025 has shown that it's what ultimately keeps the sewer rats in their sewers." "Trump needs people around him like RFK Jnr," writes John. "It makes Trump look intelligent." Maggie writes: "The brain worm did a thorough job, and appears to have spread." "I am not overly concerned about President Trump accepting a gift on behalf of the American people," writes Murray. "It's out in the open and apart from the usual quid pro quo resulting from the giving and accepting of a gift, I suspect it's just the normal 'Trump did it so it must be wrong'. It is true though, the current administration in the US resembles a lunatic asylum. Which only shows how incredibly bad the Biden government was. Donald Trump won in a landslide and was given a mandate to fix the country. When voters see Trump as the only viable option things are dire. Dire indeed." Of corruption, Michele writes: "It is the mentality of the public that says it's OK and therefore it grows like cancer and the gifts in exchange for favours gets bigger and more valuable. We are just not always aware of it. On the matter of Medicare, Australia has one of the best systems in the world and other countries should be using us as their benchmark. In a civilised society with the taxes that is raised, we all should have the facilities to keep healthy no matter where we live in our vast country. Keeping the population healthy is an investment in people and in return, they will inject their labour to support it by working longer, either for money or volunteering. We need to keep improving it by supporting Labor for the Urgent Care Clinics. However, we need the health system to tailor them to suit each specific environment to maximise their benefits and reduce overall costs which are higher when attending local hospitals." "The decline of the Roman empire was accompanied by incompetent and amoral leadership, an avaricious elite, corruption, inflation, financial crises, and heavy exploitation of a vast immiserated underclass," writes Phil. "Sounds familiar, does it not? The USA is in terminal decline. A new world order is going to evolve. Australia should earnestly, but cautiously, seek new allies and trading partners. The UK should look to repair its economy by grasping the remarkably providential chance to re-engage with Europe." Jennifer asks: "When did the US have credibility? They market poor quality products and ideas, whether intelligence, health care, poverty or disaster support for their own people. Sadly we copy them and follow them, harming our own people. We deny reality rather than paying attention to those warning us of the risks. We must make informed decisions for Australia's future, rather than lazily travelling in the US slipstream. Hopefully that is now obvious to all. For me, US credibility was lost decades ago with Vietnam, Iraq, exacerbated with Biden sending weapons to Israel so they could kill more civilians and completely trashed with the re-election of Trump and actions since. Too often the US supports others to break international law and abuse ordinary people." "We know why RFK was appointed to his position so his ignorance in health matters just like his boss should not surprise us," writes Arthur. "Medicare in Australia has a fundamental problem that neither side of politics is willing to fix. The problem is that unless a patient pays the full cost of a consultation up front the doctor has to choose between accepting a bulk billing payment or no payment at all. The bulk billing payment is often if not always below the cost of providing quality service. A simple change in the rules to enable the doctor to receive the Medicare payment irrespective of whether the patient has paid a gap or not would go a long way to improving Medicare. The gap payment should be negotiated between the doctor and the patient without government interference." Jan has an admission: "In my young mad days, late primary age, I swam across the Cooks River and back at Undercliffe. I remember a couple stopping, probably in concern, and watching till I clambered onto the bank. All those years ago, there was dirt clinging to my skin!! Stupid!" "Yes, you're right - the US is up Shit Creek with crazy Kennedy as health secretary, the developed world's worst health system and an even more dangerous, unpredictable president," writes David. "Australians and Canadians anti-Trump election votes were sensible and timely. However, we shouldn't be too cocky about our own health system with a worrying decline in vaccination rates, especially for children and a privatised dental system that is beyond the financial reach of many." Patricia writes: "You just drove a few more nails into the coffin of that once great country the USA. I always say that you shouldn't get too wrapped up in the publicity about your greatness, especially when you created the publicity." "The US lost all credibility with me when it elected Donald Trump for the second time," writes Barney. "If it was possible I'd say it's just gone downhill from there - where do you go from 'lost all credibility' anyway? The thing I really find incredible is that other so-called world leaders think it's possible to deal with the current US administration in any way. It isn't. The only thing you can rely upon is that Trump and his minions will do you down despite any 'deal' they might agree to; probably before the felt pen's ink is dry on the documentation. The only way to deal with the US going forward is not to make any deals at all." Chris writes: "Those poor grandchildren! They trust an adult to look after them and he lets them swim in pollution? Are they even vaccinated? And hopefully most Australians have more sense than to OK policies like those in America. As for the gifted aircraft - the superr-ich looking after themselves." "Thanks to Arthur and Col whose comments have moved us past the knee jerk reaction to the case of the 'deserting pollies', the end of that logic trail can unfortunately end at the Stair of Circumlocution," writes Susan (one s). "Moving on, RFK Jnr is perhaps looking for an Olympics in DC and trying to prove that the river is safe? Attempting to assert himself as a whole human being rather than understanding bell curves of ability and immune response? Anyway the rains and cold weather have given me a great excuse to return the Iain M Banks Culture series novels: The Player of Games: 'That intelligence could surpass and excel the blind force of evolution with its emphasis on mutation, struggle and death? That conscious cooperation was more efficient than feral competition?'" Ian writes: "This is so incredible it just defies any sense of logic. There is no intelligence or dignity left in American leadership. I just cannot imagine where this is all leading."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Co-op votes to boycott Israel
The Co-op could stop selling Israeli products as soon as this summer after its members voted for a boycott. Three-quarters of voters backed a motion urging the board to show 'moral courage and leadership' by removing Israeli products from its shelves. Responding to the result, the Co-op announced at its annual general meeting that the motion was advisory, but confirmed it was reviewing its sourcing policy. Pressure group Palestine Solidarity Campaign said it showed Co-op members would not support Israel's 'apartheid economy'. Co-op members demanded a cease to all trading with Israel in a motion put forward last month, saying it had 'completely destroyed Gaza'. It also said that Co-op had been the first supermarket to boycott Russian products in March 2022 and requested that it show the same 'ethical principles and values' towards Israel. UK Lawyers for Israel, a voluntary organisation of legal professionals, responded to the Co-op group secretary asking for it to be withdrawn. It said: 'A non-binding motion to take all Israeli products off the shelves of Co-op stores contains false and defamatory statements, promotes racial hatred of Israelis and Jews, and should be rejected under the Co-op's rules.' But the motion was allowed and members were invited to vote before the group's annual general meeting on May 17. The results showed it had passed with 73 per cent of voters in favour, compared to 27 per cent against. Lewis Backon, of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said the motion must be implemented. He said: 'The Co-op AGM vote shows ordinary people in this country are committed to the cause of justice and freedom for Palestine in their everyday lives and refuse to support Israel's apartheid economy. 'The Co-op must now listen to its members and implement the motion by taking all Israeli goods off the shelves.' Co-op has previously confirmed it had not sourced products from Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, which include Gaza and the West Bank, since 2007. A Co-op spokesman said: 'At our AGM on May 17, 2025, a members' motion on trading with Israel has passed. 'Whilst the motion is advisory, we are currently reviewing our sourcing policies, which we do from time to time. This is to ensure they reflect both our values and principles and the views of our members, which they have made clear today. 'We expect our review on the sourcing policy to complete towards the end of the summer.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Lake District garden centre bans political symbols after complaints from Jewish customers
A Lake District garden centre has banned its employees from wearing political symbols after a Jewish family complained about a staff member sporting a pro-Palestinian badge. The family were left upset and claimed the garden centre had 'no regard for the feeling and sensitivity of visiting Jews or Israelis '. Following a complaint, Hayes Garden World, in Ambleside, has revised its employee policy to ban the wearing of all political symbols. It is the latest in a series of incidents which have led to businesses and institutions banning the wearing of pro-Palestinian badges and symbols, following complaints by members of the public who say they were left 'distressed and intimidated'. After they saw a member of staff wearing the Palestinian flag at Hayes Garden World earlier this month, the husband approached UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) to take up the case. 'No regard for sensitivity of visiting Jews' The man, who is in his late 60s and asked to remain anonymous, said: 'At the checkout, my wife asked the checkout lady a question and she called over her male colleague. He was wearing a Palestinian badge on the lapel of his green uniform. 'The badge was large enough not to be missed or confused with something else. I think it is also safe to say that he wasn't wearing this badge for language assistance purposes. 'I was stunned. This was not a badge I was expecting to see in the heart of the genteel Lake District. And while I kept my feelings to myself, I was absolutely raging mad driving home to Manchester that this man could express his political views in a public store in such a blatant way with no regard for the feeling and sensitivity of visiting Jews or Israelis.' In its complaint, UKLFI told Hayes Garden World that displaying a Palestinian symbol indicated support for the Palestinian cause and opposition to the State of Israel. 'Hostile act' Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, stated: 'It is inevitable that your Jewish or Israeli customers will be intimidated by seeing a Palestinian badge, apparently authorised by your company, on display as part of the Hayes Garden World uniform, and will consider that it is a hostile act towards themselves.' UKLFI warned the garden centre that allowing an employee to wear the Palestinian flag could also be in breach of the Equalities Act 2010 'as it would harass Jewish and Israeli customers, in that it would create a hostile and intimidating atmosphere in the shop for them'. Following the complaint, Hayes Garden World carried out an internal investigation. The firm said it found that the member of staff who had worn the badge had not intended to 'create a hostile environment and was not intending to cause offence to any persons visiting the premises'. The firm, one of the largest garden centres in the North West, said it 'does not encourage or allow employees to wear any symbols or badges which demonstrate personal political views whilst they are working'. Nevertheless, it said it would update its dress code policy and ensure that 'all employees are aware of the expectations regarding dress code requirements'. The move came after staff at some of London's biggest NHS hospitals were banned from wearing pro-Palestinian symbols after complaints they were 'upsetting and intimidating' vulnerable patients. Barts Health NHS Trust confirmed the decision after UKLFI said growing numbers of Jewish patients were reporting their distress at seeing clinical and medical staff wearing provocative slogans and badges in Palestinian colours. The trust's ban applies to its five hospitals: St Bart's, Mile End, Newham, Royal London and Whipps Cross. It has also emerged that postmasters have been instructed not to wear Palestinian flags or badges while on duty. This followed a complaint by UKLFI after a Jewish customer in Hornchurch, east London, had an interaction with a sub-postmaster in her local branch wearing a Palestinian flag. A Post Office spokesman said: 'Post Office is here to serve people across the UK regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, politics, age or whether they have any disability. As such, we provide guidance to all of our operators about the importance of Post Office being a politically neutral organisation. 'Our area manager has discussed the matter with the postmaster, who has agreed not to wear the Palestinian flag badge at his branch. We apologise for any offence that may have been caused to any customer.'
Telegraph
22-02-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Currys drops Palestine flag name badges after complaints
Currys has scrapped staff name badges featuring Palestinian flags after complaints they were causing distress for Jewish customers. The high street giant said it had introduced a policy of allowing Palestinian flags on staff name badges as a way of indicating to customers that they spoke Arabic, as part of its 'commitment to inclusion'. But after several complaints the firm is now 'exploring alternative ways' to signal the languages spoken by its staff. UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), which represents two of the shoppers, wrote to Currys warning that it could be in breach of equality law by creating 'a hostile and intimidating atmosphere for Jewish and Israeli customers'. Jewish and Israeli shoppers had reported feeling insecure and unwelcome by the sight of staff wearing name badges adorned with the flag. Recent cases have occurred where the wearing of Palestinian symbols at work has caused friction among employees and customers. In October 2024 Amazon took down a company video of an executive wearing a pendant shaped like a map of Israel with a Palestinian flag imposed over the top. One of the Currys shoppers, an Israeli national, complained after they were approached by a sales assistant wearing the Palestinian flag at a Cambridge branch while browsing for a television set. The incident on Feb 8 came shortly after the broadcast of distressing scenes during the release of three Israelis who had been taken hostage by Hamas. Looked visibly malnourished Media coverage showed gun-wielding fighters surrounded by Palestinian flags escorting Eli Sharabi, 52, Or Levy, 34, and Ohad Ben Ami, 56, who looked visibly malnourished and emaciated from their ordeal. After being approached by the Curry's staff member, the Israeli customer said: 'I'm sorry, it's not personal, but I'd like to continue on my own. It's hard for me because of the flag.' UKLFI said that when another employee offered assistance a manager intervened, telling her not to serve the Israeli shopper because 'he was rude', at which point he left the store and bought a £1,500 television elsewhere. Currys said it was investigating the incident. The Israeli customer, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Telegraph: 'The incident has certainly left me feeling insecure and unwelcome. I felt that my right to professional and unbiased treatment was compromised.' In another incident a Jewish customer who visited a Currys store in Hemel Hempstead in August 2024 said he had asked not to be served by a staff member wearing the Palestinian flag on his name badge. The shopper said he was reprimanded by other staff after he took a photograph of the sales assistant wearing his name badge and flag. UKLFI claims that after being 'ejected from the shop' the customer was followed by the same staff member, who then proceeded to take photographs of his family, their car and its registration number. Currys said the photograph was taken in response to an offensive gesture said to have been made towards the sales assistant. 'Badge made me uncomfortable' The customer told The Telegraph last week: 'The badge made me uncomfortable because it was unnecessary and was clearly there to make a political statement. It was the treatment after that which shocked my children and I. 'We were effectively refused service because we were Jewish. I never expected to be treated that way in Britain.' UKLFI said that the flag could cause upset as a symbol of support for the Palestinian cause and opposition to the state of Israel. They said it could also be interpreted as indicating support for Hamas' attacks on Israel on Oct 7 2023. UKLFI warned Currys it could be in breach of the Equalities Act 2000 by allowing staff to wear a symbol which would 'create a hostile and intimidating atmosphere' for Jewish and Israeli customers. It added: 'Furthermore, there are other ways of indicating that the staff member speaks Arabic. He could wear a badge saying in Arabic 'I speak Arabic'.' Currys said: 'We are sorry to learn of two instances of customers feeling unwelcome in our stores because of flags displayed on colleague name badges. 'As part of our commitment to inclusion for both our customers and colleagues, these badges have included world flags to signal languages spoken. We have reviewed our use of flags on these badges and the use of all world flags has been discontinued. We remain committed to an inclusive Currys where everyone feels welcome.'
