T shirts and hoodies which feature the slogan “From the River to the Sea Palestine will be Free” are being sold on Amazon’s UK website, even though this breaches its own policies. Wearing them in public could break the law.
UK Lawyers for Israel has written to Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon to request that Amazon removes all items from sale that contain the inflammatory slogan.
This slogan is a well-known call for the destruction of the Jewish State of Israel and has been adopted by those who support the aim of Hamas to obliterate Israel.
The sale of these shirts contravenes Amazon’s policy which says: “Amazon does not allow products that promote, incite or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual or religious intolerance or promote organizations with such views.”[1]
Clothing and items containing the slogan glorify hatred against Israel and the Jews, since the slogan calls for the destruction of Israel. It creates racial and religious intolerance and promotes organisations (such as the proscribed terrorist group, Hamas) which have such views.
As the British Home Secretary, Suella Braverman KC, has observed, “The slogan was taken up by Islamists, including Hamas, and remains a staple of antisemitic discourse. To hear it shouted in public causes alarm not just to Jews but to all decent people. Those who promote hate on Britain’s streets should realise that our tolerance has limits.”
Furthermore, wearing clothing in public displaying this slogan could breach section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, under which it is an offence to display writing that is threatening within the sight of a person likely to be caused alarm or distress thereby.
Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI commented: “We have received many complaints from concerned members of the public regarding Amazon’s sale of these items. Selling such items can only inflame community tensions. Amazon is breaching its own code of conduct, the Home Secretary’s advice and also encouraging purchasers to break the law and inflame community tensions. These items should be removed from the website.”
UKLFI has asked Amazon to confirm that the sale of such items will be withdrawn.
