The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is taunting the Jewish residents of Wembley by displaying a large Palestinian flag with the slogan “Boycott Israel” in the window of its Wembley Bookshop and Headquarters.
The display is particularly upsetting, offensive and hurtful to the local residents as it was put up following the horrific occurrences in Israel on Saturday 7th October when at least 1,200 Israelis, including women, children, babies and innocent young people attending a rave were barbarically slaughtered by Islamist terrorists, and at least 100 Israelis were kidnapped and dragged into Gaza.
UKLFI has written to Brent Council requesting that they ensure that the flag is removed. UKLFI pointed out that apart from the insensitivity of displaying the flag next door to a kosher bakery shop, the IHRC is in breach of planning laws and is not allowed to fly the flag in the shop window without planning consent.
Brent Council must also comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and to foster good community relations, tackle prejudice and promote understanding.
Allowing the shop to fly the “Boycott Israel” flag at this time does not eliminate harassment, but may cause or contribute to harassment ; it does not foster good community relations but antagonises towards Jews.
Last April the IHRC put up two similar Palestinian flags in its shop window during the Jewish festival of Passover, causing distress to Jewish residents of Wembley. Following letters to Brent Council from UKLFI, the flags were removed.
Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI commented: “This appears to us to be a brazen attempt by the IHRC to taunt the Jewish residents of Wembley. We hope that Brent Council will enforce its planning laws and ensure that it is removed as soon as possible.”