Should wearing or holding the flag of Israel be treated as a Public Order offence?
The Israeli flag is the national symbol of Israel, a country with which the UK maintains diplomatic relations. UK law under the Public Order Act 1986 and Terrorism Act 2000 does not criminalise displaying it on its own; prosecution requires evidence of intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress, or support for a proscribed organisation. Recent protests over the Israel-Gaza conflict have seen incidents where Israeli flags prompted police intervention for potential breaches of the peace when displayed confrontationally, but the flag itself remains lawful to hold or wear in most settings.
3 Opinions
I find actions of the Israeli government and our media's utter whitewashing of mass murder to be horrifying and disgusting. However, my opposition to a country doesn't give the government a right to criminalise the wearing of flags. This should apply to any country or flag that someone wishes to display. That doesn't mean we should ever use another country's flag in official government events/buildings.
The Flag of Israel has been around since around 1885. It's only those that support the terrorist settlement of palestine that have issues with it.
No. Laws are not there to soothe a reaction. The Israeli flag is a national flag of a country we recognise. Threats and violence are already crimes. If someone cannot control themselves at the sight of cloth, the cloth is not the offence. Ban the flag and you have taught the mob it has a veto. Charge the assault. Leave the flag.