A children’s book on human rights containing an antisemitic illustration is likely to stir up racial hatred, and should be withdrawn, according to UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI).

Illustration by Luis Demano from Human Rights by Yayo Herrero

UKLFI has written to a publisher, book distributors, and a London local authority after discovering that a newly-published children’s book contains an illustration that appears to be antisemitic, harmful, and likely to foster division among young readers.

The book, Human Rights by Yayo Herrero, published in 2025 by Square Triangle / Seven Stories Press, includes an extremely concerning illustration accompanying a section on “Right to Self-Determination of Peoples”. A discussion about the Palestinians’ rights features a depiction of a soldier with a large Star of David on his uniform, heavily armed, wearing spiked boots, and shown with an aggressive expression, while a child behind him holds a Palestinian flag above his head. UKLFI argues that the soldier is clearly intended to represent an Israeli figure, portrayed in a menacing, demonised manner.

In its letter to Seven Stories Press, UKLFI stated that the image “presents a complex and painful conflict in a one-sided, harmful way that demonizes Jews and Israelis”, stressing that a book aimed at children aged 9–12 should encourage empathy and understanding rather than “visuals that spread hate or make one group into villains.”

UKLFI pointed out that the illustration is antisemitic under multiple criteria, including the IHRA working definition and the Jerusalem Declaration. UKLFI has asked the publisher to remove and replace the illustration.

UKLFI has also written to the UK and US distributors of the book to request that they halt distribution until the offending image is removed, noting that one member of the public who viewed the book in a London library described it as “something truly horrific” and expressed concern that many copies may already be in UK schools and libraries.

UKLFI has also raised the issue with the London Borough of Redbridge after discovering the book prominently displayed at Fullwell Cross Library and listed in the borough’s children’s collections. In its letter, the organisation emphasised the obligations of public authorities under the Public Sector Equality Duty to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination and foster good relations between communities. It warned that stocking the book in children’s sections risked promoting hostility, particularly in a borough with significant Jewish and Muslim populations. UKLFI asked the council to remove the book from libraries and schools until the illustration can be replaced.

A UKLFI spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable for a children’s book on human rights to promote hatred by depicting Jews and Israelis as demonic villains. This illustration is not only inaccurate and inflammatory but risks poisoning the minds of young readers. Publishers and public bodies have a responsibility to ensure materials for children foster understanding—not division and hostility.”