Truro City Council has referred a stall accused of promoting Hamas and displaying antisemitic material to Devon and Cornwall Police, following a complaint from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI).

The Council has also confirmed that the stall, which appeared at the Big Truro Market on Lemon Quay on 12 September 2026, had no booking or permission from Truro City Council.

In a letter dated 22 October, UKLFI raised concerns about reports that those staffing the stall had openly expressed support for Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation, and encouraged members of the public to accept the validity of its Charter, which calls for the killing of Jews.

The stall also displayed numerous posters containing material which UKLFI considered antisemitic, including one describing Zionism as a “cancer” for which the world had begun “the first stages of treatment”.

Other posters predicted the collapse of Israel in 2027, praised an axe attack on an American military aircraft at Shannon Airport, and featured an inverted red triangle, a symbol associated with Hamas.

One placard depicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with blood dripping from his hands above the words “Repeating genocide”, alongside the warning “If you tolerate this then your children will be next”.

UKLFI argued that the material went far beyond legitimate criticism of Israel, invoking antisemitic imagery and celebrating violence.

UKLFI also explained that inviting support for Hamas, or expressing support while being reckless as to whether others would be encouraged to support it, may constitute criminal offences under section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Promoting the Hamas Charter could also potentially engage legislation prohibiting the stirring up of racial or religious hatred.

Council refers allegations to police

Responding on the same day, a spokesperson for Truro City Council confirmed:

“I have referred your letter and photographs of the stall in question to our local Police Inspector today.”

They also confirmed that the stall had never been booked with Truro City Council, despite appearing during the monthly market.

A council representative had personally visited Lemon Quay on 17 October and photographed the stall. On that occasion, he instructed those present to remove material they had placed on the Drummer Boy Statue, explaining that the statue was public art rather than a notice board.

He also warned them that they could not set up on the Quay when another organiser had booked the space, because they would not be covered by that organiser’s risk assessment, public liability insurance or booking agreement.

The Council confirmed that correspondence and relevant CCTV footage would be shared with the police if requested.

Council considers tougher rules

UKLFI had called on the Council to strengthen its Conditions of Hire to prohibit activities or material inviting or expressing support for proscribed terrorist organisations, or stirring up racial or religious hatred.

The Council confirmed that it was reviewing its booking policy and terms and conditions.

UKLFI had pointed out that local authorities have duties under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010, while Cornwall Council is also subject to the statutory Prevent duty, requiring it to have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.

UKLFI argued that freedom of expression and assembly do not give individuals an unrestricted right to promote proscribed terrorist organisations or stir up hatred on publicly managed land.

A UKLFI spokesperson said:

“We welcome Truro City Council’s prompt decision to refer this matter to the police and its willingness to strengthen the rules governing use of Lemon Quay.

“There is a fundamental difference between peaceful political protest and promoting Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation whose founding Charter calls for the killing of Jews.

“Public spaces should not be allowed to become platforms for terrorist propaganda or antisemitic hatred. We hope that the police and both councils will take effective steps to ensure that this does not happen again, particularly at the next market in November.”