UK diplomats convey controversial message after taking part in Palestine marathon

A UK team representing the British Consulate General in Jerusalem have taken part in the annual Palestine Marathon wearing T-shirts that show a map which appeared not to feature Israel.

A picture of eight of the British runners, who described themselves as Team UK was posted on the Consulate General’s official Twitter account and Facebook page last Friday.

The team was headed the team was headed by the UK’s deputy consul general.

The bright yellow T-shirts featured a map of the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea without Israel’s borders.

The wording Palestine Marathon, Freedom of Movement was also visible.

The Consulate General’s March 10th tweet included the words:”TeamUK joined thousands of Palestinian and international runners in the incredible Palestine Marathon to support Freedom Of Movement for all Palestinians.

“Great energy from participating runners, and an important message to highlight.”

The race was started by Palestinian political leader Jibril Rajoub, jailed in 1970 for throwing a grenade at an Israeli army bus.

A report by the Palestinian news agency Wafa on the marathon included Rajoub suggesting the race was “ in defiance of the Israeli foreign occupation that seeks to restrict the Palestinians’ free movement and displace them.”

Stephen Crabb MP, the parliamentary chair of Conservative Friends of Israel, told the Jewish Chronicle: “It is deeply troubling that British diplomats have been happily photographed with maps appearing to replace Israel with a Palestinian state.

“The UK Foreign Office often asserts that it challenges the Palestinian Authority over its denial of Israel’s existence.

“I trust that the foreign secretary will now make clear to his own officials how incredibly ill-judged it was for them to seemingly endorse the removal of one of our closest allies, Israel, from the map.”

Asked to comment on their involvement and messaging around the event the Foreign Office said:“The UK’s position is long-standing — we wish to see a viable two-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace, prosperity and security.”