A fruit stall outside Archway Station, London, was covered in Palestinian flag stickers saying “Boycott Israeli Apartheid” and “Free Palestine”.   

Some Jewish passers-by were upset to see these divisive messages on a stall that was owned by Islington Council and complained to UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). UKLFI wrote to Islington Council requesting their removal on the basis that they were illegal advertisements with no planning permission.

UKLFI further pointed out Islington Council’s Public Sector Equality Duty to have due regard to the need to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

UKLFI also drew attention to provisions of the Public Order Act 1986.

Islington is now set to remove the stickers, having decided that they are “litter” rather than advertisements.

Islington’s spokesperson pointed out that “Given that the stickers will be removed, I do not believe that the Public Sector Equalities Duty or Public Order Act are engaged.”

A UKLFI spokeperson commented: “We are very pleased that the stickers will be eradicated, and that Islington Council has explained how any future stickers found will be swiftly removed if reported to the council’s street cleaning team.”