Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh has reminded staff to avoid displaying or distributing material on campus that could be regarded as “divisive” or “offensive”, following concerns raised by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) about anti-Israel political material and symbols at the University.

Sir Paul Grice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Queen Margaret University (QMU), circulated a university-wide message on 29 September 2026 reminding staff and students of the University’s Promoting Dignity at Work and Study policy.

The message comes after UKLFI wrote to Sir Paul in August raising concerns about political symbols worn by staff, anti-Israel campaign material displayed around the campus, and the effect that this was having on Jewish, Israeli and Zionist members of the University community. UKLFI said that the cumulative effect of the material risked creating a “hostile, intimidating and unwelcoming environment for Jewish students and staff”.

Among the material reported to UKLFI were Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and UCU posters, leaflets and stickers displayed or left in communal areas. These included material promoting a boycott of Israel and making allegations of “apartheid” and “genocide”.

Photographs supplied to UKLFI showed campaign material displayed around the University, including a Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign leaflet headed “Boycott Apartheid Israel – End the Genocide in Palestine” and stickers encouraging action against Barclays over its alleged links with Israel.

UKLFI drew the University’s attention to its own Promoting Dignity at Work and Study policy. The policy states that QMU is committed to an inclusive culture free from discrimination and harassment, and identifies as potentially unacceptable the display or circulation of material which could reasonably be regarded by the University as “inappropriate, offensive or discriminatory”.

UKLFI also reminded QMU of its obligations under the Equality Act 2010, including its duties towards Jewish students and staff and its Public Sector Equality Duty to have due regard to eliminating discrimination and harassment and fostering good relations between people with different protected characteristics.

UKLFI raised additional concerns about a UCU lanyard which appeared to include an inverted red triangle alongside the slogan “Stand with Palestine”. UKLFI’s accompanying report explained that the inverted red triangle has been used in Hamas propaganda videos to mark Israeli soldiers and vehicles shortly before they are attacked.

In his message to colleagues this week, the Principal acknowledged that members of the University community may wish to “explore, discuss, and debate” political and current affairs and stressed QMU’s commitment to freedom of speech and academic freedom.

However, he also reminded staff that those rights must be balanced with the University’s responsibility to provide “safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and working environments”.

He told staff to reflect on their language and behaviour and said that “holding a particular viewpoint does not justify unfavourable treatment of others who may hold different perspectives”.

Sir Paul also addressed directly the display of political material in communal areas of the University:

“I ask colleagues to carefully consider the appropriateness of any materials displayed or distributed around campus and to avoid sharing content that could reasonably be regarded as divisive, offensive, or inconsistent with our commitment to maintaining an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment.”

A spokesperson for UKLFI, said:

“We welcome the Principal’s reminder that political debate does not give anyone a licence to create an intimidating or exclusionary environment for those who hold different views.

“Universities should of course protect legitimate freedom of expression and academic debate. But communal spaces should not become vehicles for one-sided political campaigning, particularly where inflammatory material may make Jewish or Israeli students and staff feel unwelcome.

“We hope that QMU will now ensure that its policies are applied consistently in practice and that inappropriate political propaganda is removed from communal areas.”