UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) have written to London Marathon Events Limited (LMEL), organisers of the TCS London Marathon, urging action to prevent the race route from being used for political campaigning. This comes after a third consecutive year of extensive Palestinian political displays along the course.

In a letter addressed to LMEL Chief Executive Hugh Brasher on 21 May 2026, UKLFI highlighted what it described as the “systematic transformation” of sections of the marathon route through Tower Hamlets into “a sea of Palestine flags”, accompanied by inflammatory anti-Israel messaging.

UKLFI described how hundreds of Palestinian flags were attached overnight to lamp posts and street furniture between Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf ahead of the 2026 race. UKLFI adds that offensive stickers bearing slogans such as “Israel are baby killers” were also placed along the route, while spectators distributed Palestinian flags to runners during the event.

UKLFI says Jewish and Israeli runners found the experience deeply distressing. One participant described turning from the joy of crossing Tower Bridge into “a sea of Palestine flags erected on all the lamp posts in Tower Hamlets”. The organisation argues that many runners, who had trained for months and raised substantial sums for charity, felt that the atmosphere of the event had been overshadowed by political messaging unrelated to the marathon itself.

A spokesperson for UKLFI said:

“The London Marathon is one of Britain’s great civic occasions. Participants should be able to run the race without being confronted by organised political demonstrations or inflammatory messaging. After three consecutive years, it is clear that stronger preventative action is needed to ensure that all runners and spectators can enjoy the event free from harassment and political intimidation.”

The letter points out that the London Marathon’s own Rule 5.5 prohibits the expression or dissemination of political or discriminatory messages during the event. UKLFI argues that the large-scale display of political flags and slogans along the secured race route is precisely the type of activity the rule is intended to prevent.

UKLFI also raises concerns about potential breaches of the law. The organisation notes that affixing flags and stickers to lamp posts and street furniture without consent constitutes criminal offences under both the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Highways Act 1980.

In addition, the letter argues that Jewish people and Israelis are protected under the Equality Act 2010 and that allowing the marathon environment to become intimidating or hostile for Jewish and Israeli participants would amount to unlawful harassment.

UKLFI has asked LMEL to provide assurances that, ahead of the 2027 marathon:

• The race route will be inspected before runners arrive and any political flags, banners or stickers removed;
• Rule 5.5 will be actively enforced and highlighted in pre-race communications;
• LMEL will work with local authorities and the Metropolitan Police to prevent unauthorised political messaging along the route.

The organisation warned that the issue could worsen if the London Marathon expands to a two-day event in 2027.

“The London Marathon belongs to its participants, its charities and the city of London,” UKLFI wrote. “It should not be available to be co-opted by any political cause, however passionately held.”