A cultural centre in Kilburn, London, held a Palestine Fundraiser where young children made badges with slogans such as “Long live the Intifada” and “Free Palestine”.

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) was approached by local Jewish residents, concerned by the disturbing activities at the charity, Metroland Cultures. Last week UKLFI wrote to the trustees of the charity, who are now investigating what has happened.

On 28 June, Metroland held a fundraising event for Palestine and Sudan, which featured a badge making class, amongst other activities.

The badges had slogans such as “Long Live the Intifada” written inside a heart, “Free Palestine”, “If I must die, let it bring hope, let it be a tale”, and “If I must die, you must live to tell my story”, on the background of Keffiyeh scarf material. The last two slogans were taken from a poem by the Palestinian writer, Refaat Alareer, who had described Hamas’s massacre of Israelis on 7 October as “legitimate and moral” in a BBC interview. He was subsequently killed in an Israeli airstrike and is regarded by many Palestinian supporters as a martyr.

The fundraising event itself was advertised with flyers featuring watermelons – which have become a symbol that is frequently used instead of a Palestinian flag, since their colours match the flag.

Metroland Cultures itself went “on strike” in support of Palestine on 31 May 2024.  In doing so, they did not mention freedom of Israeli hostages, or any wish to stop Hamas attacking Israel.

UKLFI’s letter to the trustees pointed out that Metroland Cultures has breached its charitable objects by putting on partisan displays and engaging in political activities which are outside its charitable objects.  It is promoting a purely pro-Palestinian political agenda, which is divisive and indeed threatening to Jewish residents of the borough of Brent.  .

Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI commented:  “Instead of promoting arts, culture and heritage for the people of the London Borough of Brent, the centre has promoted divisive activities, designed to sow hatred of Jews and Israelis amongst its participants.

Instead of developing skills and capacities to enable young people to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals, as set out in their charitable objects, Metroland is using propaganda to encourage young people to adopt an anti-Israel political narrative.”

UKLFI also pointed out that Metroland Cultures has breached section 29 of the Equality Act 2010 by discriminating against and harassing Jews, Israelis and Zionists in the provision of services.  Jews, Israelis and Zionists would not feel comfortable participating in the workshops provided by Metroland Cultures or in the “strike” that they organised on 31 May, which created an intimidating, hostile and offensive atmosphere for them.