Glasgow Jewish groups warn over Palestinian flag-raising as councillor defends displays
Jewish leaders say civic spaces risk deeper division as Glasgow councillor calls complaints “explicitly political”
Scottish Jewish organisations have voiced fresh alarm over plans for an annual Palestinian flag-raising at Glasgow City-Chambers, warning that civic decisions are “politicising public property” and heightening concern within the community.
In a joint statement, the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, the Jewish Council of Scotland and the Board of Deputies of British Jews said they were “deeply concerned” by the appearance of hybrid Palestine-Saltire flags across the city, describing the displays as “intentionally divisive” and a source of “significant distress” for many Jewish residents in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. They also warned that Glasgow City Council’s 2024 decision to introduce an annual Palestinian flag-raising linked to the UN’s International Day of Solidarity had, in the current climate, added to the unease felt within the community.
The organisations said the developments underline the need for “careful, sensitive decision-making” in civic spaces, stressing that the Israel-Palestine conflict must not be imported into local authority settings in ways that risk deepening tensions. “Every community in Scotland must have confidence that civic decisions are guided by fairness, balance and a commitment to mutual respect,” the statement added, emphasising the groups’ intention to continue engaging with councils and the Scottish government to ensure that all communities “feel safe and respected”.
Their intervention comes amid a political row over a wave of so-called “Paltire” flags – a Palestinian flag blended with the Saltire – affixed to lampposts in parts of the city. Glasgow councillor Dan Hutchison revealed he had received 257 near-identical emails criticising the displays but claimed none originated from residents of his Govan ward. He described the correspondence as “ a coordinated, explicitly political campaign by a minority” and rejected suggestions that the flags could be construed as incitement.
“I would suggest that this coordinated, explicitly political campaign… to suggest that the flying of a Palestinian flag is somehow an incitement to violence and terrorism is a grossly inappropriate accusation,” he wrote, adding he was “proud” that Glasgow “stands in solidarity with the victims of the Israeli genocide in Gaza”. Hutchison confirmed the Palestinian flag would once again be raised above the city chambers to mark the UN day.
The flags are being circulated by a group calling itself United in Resistance, which describes its activity as opposing “racism, Islamophobia, Zionism and the rise of the far right across Scotland”.
Glasgow City Council said attaching flags to street-lighting columns is illegal and poses a public-safety risk. A spokesperson said it remains the authority’s intention to remove them as part of routine operations and that any flag creating an obvious hazard will be prioritised.
Saturday’s event, billed as “Palestine Flag Day”, is being promoted by the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee and urges supporters to gather outside the City chambers from 2pm, calling on Glasgow Council to adopt BDS measures.
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