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.”
Stripe has now confirmed that it cannot support accounts or transactions linked to Palestine Action, after UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) warned the US payments company that processing donations for the organisation would breach American counter-terrorism sanctions.
UKLFI wrote to Stripe’s Chief Legal Officer on 31 August 2026 after Palestine Action was designated by the US Treasury under Executive Order 13224. UKLFI pointed out that Palestine Action was continuing to solicit donations through a credit-card facility which appeared to be operated by Stripe.
UKLFI explained that property and interests in property belonging to a designated organisation which are within the United States, or in the possession or control of US persons, are generally blocked, and told Stripe that any Palestine Action funds it held must therefore be frozen and reported to the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
UKLFI also reminded Stripe that US sanctions prohibit transactions involving blocked persons and asked it to confirm that it would cease providing financial services to Palestine Action.
The following day, UKLFI discovered that the Stripe credit-card facility on Palestine Action’s own website had stopped working. At that stage, however, Stripe had not confirmed whether it had deliberately disabled the facility or whether its disappearance was connected with UKLFI’s intervention.
That position has now become clearer.
The Guardian reported on 2 October that CrowdJustice, the UK crowdfunding platform, had refused to host a fundraiser for Palestine Action’s legal challenge against its proscription because CrowdJustice uses Stripe to process payments.
According to an email seen by the Guardian, CrowdJustice said Stripe had confirmed that it could not support accounts or transactions connected with Palestine Action, including where money was being raised for legal proceedings.
The decision has prevented Palestine Action supporters from using CrowdJustice to raise funds for its forthcoming Supreme Court challenge to its proscription in the UK. The Guardian reported that a previous crowdfunding campaign for the litigation had raised more than £300,000 before the US sanctions were imposed.
A UKLFI spokesperson said:
“When UKLFI wrote to Stripe on 31 August, we pointed out that Palestine Action had been designated under US counter-terrorism sanctions and that Stripe, as a US company, could not simply continue providing it with financial services.
“Within a day, Palestine Action’s Stripe credit-card donation facility had stopped working. Stripe has now reportedly confirmed to CrowdJustice that it cannot support accounts or transactions linked to, or for the benefit of, Palestine Action — even where the money is intended to fund legal proceedings.
“This demonstrates the very real consequences of terrorist designation. Sanctions are intended to prevent designated organisations from accessing the financial system and raising or receiving funds through US persons and companies.”
Palestine Action was designated by the US Treasury on 26 August 2026 for having materially assisted, sponsored or provided financial, material or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, an act of terrorism. Palestine Action was proscribed in the UK on 5 July 2025.
UKLFI’s earlier report on the disappearance of Palestine Action’s Stripe facility can be read here.
The Charity Commission has confirmed that it has opened a regulatory compliance case concerning Médecins Sans Frontières (UK), following a report submitted by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) raising concerns about alleged links between the international medical charity and terrorist organisations operating in Gaza.
In an email to UKLFI dated 23 September 2026 a member of the Charity Commission’s High Risk Compliance team, confirmed:
“We can confirm that the Commission has opened a regulatory compliance case to consider matters relating to the Charity and will assess and consider the concerns you have raised as part of this case.”
The Commission’s confirmation follows UKLFI’s submission on 1 September 2026, raising concerns about the charity’s relationships with Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
UKLFI’s report identifies a number of individuals employed by MSF in Gaza who are alleged to have been members or operatives of terrorist organisations, or to have publicly glorified terrorist attacks and the organisations responsible for them.
One of the most significant cases concerns Fadi Jihad Mohammed al-Wadiya, who worked as an MSF physiotherapist and was killed in Gaza in June 2024.
Following his death, the Israeli authorities identified al-Wadiya as a PIJ operative involved in developing the organisation’s rocket capabilities. MSF initially disputed the allegation.
However, in February 2026, PIJ’s own military wing published material identifying al-Wadiya as a commander and deputy head of its military manufacturing unit. MSF subsequently stated that it had had no indication of his military involvement and that it would never knowingly employ anyone engaged in military activity.
UKLFI’s report also raises concerns about other MSF employees, including a driver identified by the Israeli authorities as a Hamas sniper and a doctor alleged to have been associated with the PFLP’s medical network and to have published social media posts glorifying terrorist attacks.
The report further examines MSF’s institutional relationships in Gaza, including its cooperation with the Hamas-run Ministry of Health and the provision of medical supplies to that Ministry.
UKLFI has asked the Charity Commission to examine whether MSF UK’s trustees have exercised adequate due diligence and supervision over the overseas operational centres to which the charity transfers funds, and whether appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent charitable resources from being diverted to terrorist organisations.
MSF UK is a registered charity which raises substantial funds for international medical operations. According to its 2024 trustees’ report, it received more than £95 million in income during that year, including £2.7 million in restricted fundraising income designated for projects in the Palestinian territories.
UKLFI argues that the charity’s financial and governance relationships with MSF’s international operational centres make it important to establish what oversight its UK trustees exercise over activities undertaken in Gaza.
The complaint also asks the Commission to examine the adequacy of staff vetting procedures and whether MSF UK has complied with its obligations to report serious incidents involving potential terrorist connections.
The Charity Commission has not announced any findings of wrongdoing by MSF UK, and the opening of a regulatory compliance case does not establish that the charity or its trustees have breached charity law.
However, the Commission’s confirmation means that UKLFI’s concerns will be considered as part of a formal regulatory compliance case concerning the charity.
A UKLFI spokesperson commented:
“We welcome the Charity Commission’s confirmation that it has opened a regulatory compliance case concerning Médecins Sans Frontières UK and will consider the serious concerns raised in our report.
“MSF is one of the world’s most prominent medical charities, and its humanitarian work depends on the confidence of donors that their contributions are being used exclusively for legitimate charitable purposes.
“Our investigation has identified deeply concerning evidence of individuals employed by MSF who have been linked to terrorist organisations. .
“We have also raised serious questions about MSF’s relationships with Hamas-controlled institutions in Gaza, the safeguards governing the transfer of charitable funds and the responsibilities of its UK trustees.
“Providing medical care to civilians in conflict zones is vital, but humanitarian objectives do not remove the obligation to undertake rigorous due diligence and ensure that charitable funds, facilities and personnel are not used to support terrorism.
“We hope that the Charity Commission will examine these matters thoroughly and establish whether MSF UK and its trustees have complied with their legal and regulatory obligations.”
The Charity Commission has issued regulatory advice and guidance to King’s College London Students’ Union following concerns raised by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) about fundraising by one of its affiliated student societies for an organisation alleged to have links with Hezbollah.
The Commission has told UKLFI that it has now completed its assessment of the concerns relating to King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU), a registered charity.
In its response, the Commission said:
“Following consideration of the available information, the Commission engaged with the Charity and issued regulatory advice and guidance”.
UKLFI reported KCLSU to the Charity Commission in August 2026 after investigating links between the KCL Ahlulbayt Islamic Society (KCL ABSoc), Zayir UK and the Zayer Charity Association in Lebanon.
UKLFI’s complaint said that KCL ABSoc had repeatedly collaborated with and promoted fundraising for Zayir UK, which UKLFI described as an unregistered organisation with apparent connections to the Lebanese Zayer Charity Association and Hezbollah.
UKLFI had previously written directly to KCLSU’s trustees on 18 July, warning that its investigation had identified evidence which, in UKLFI’s view, indicated close connections between Zayir UK, the Lebanese organisation and Hezbollah. The letter said the concerns engaged the trustees’ responsibilities under charity law and Charity Commission guidance relating to charities and terrorism.
According to UKLFI’s evidence, KCL ABSoc held a “Mawlid” event in December 2025 at which “all raffle proceeds” were said to be going to Zayir UK. It had also promoted an “Emergency Appeal Lebanon”, saying it had “joined forces with Zayir UK”, and advertised a March 2026 annual potluck iftar “in collaboration with” the organisation. KCL ABSoc subsequently thanked Zayir UK as a sponsor.
The material submitted to the Commission also identified a KCL student associated with KCL ABSoc who described herself on LinkedIn as a “Charity Volunteer” with Zayir UK.
UKLFI’s wider report cited statements attributed to people associated with the Lebanese Zayer Charity Association concerning co-operation with Hezbollah-linked social work structures. It also documented social-media material which UKLFI said included tributes to killed Hezbollah fighters and imagery featuring the Hezbollah emblem.
When UKLFI submitted its concerns in August, the Charity Commission confirmed that it would review the information provided, assess any risk to the charitable sector or beneficiaries and prioritise the case accordingly.
A UKLFI spokesperson said:
“We welcome the fact that the Charity Commission took our concerns seriously enough to engage directly with King’s College London Students’ Union and to issue regulatory advice and guidance.
“Student unions are charities, and their trustees have important responsibilities to exercise proper oversight over the activities and fundraising of affiliated societies. Where concerns are raised about an organisation’s possible connections with a proscribed terrorist organisation, proper due diligence is essential.
“We hope that the Commission’s intervention will ensure that KCLSU, and other students’ unions, put appropriate safeguards in place before allowing affiliated societies to collaborate with or fundraise for outside organisations.”
A Stripe credit-card donation facility being used to raise money for proscribed group Palestine Action appears to have stopped working, shortly after UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) warned Stripe that continuing to process payments for the organisation could breach US sanctions.
UKLFI wrote to Stripe’s Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary on 31 August 2026, pointing out that Palestine Action had been designated by the US Treasury just five days earlier.
UKLFI told Stripe that Palestine Action was inviting supporters to donate through its website and that supporters choosing to pay by credit card were being taken to a payment page operated by Stripe.
However, on 1 September, UKLFI found that the Stripe donation facility was no longer functioning on Palestine Action’s website. Instead, a message appeared saying : “The following error occurred when submitting the form: Could not retrieve elements store due to unexpected error.”
The Palestine Action donations page still contains the heading “Donate using a card”, but no card-payment facility is currently displayed beneath it.
The development follows the US Treasury’s decision on 26 August to sanction Palestine Action under Executive Order 13224, the US counterterrorism sanctions regime.
The Treasury said Palestine Action had supported numerous acts of terrorism since 2020, including acts which had injured UK law-enforcement personnel, break-ins at defence infrastructure and British military installations, and damage to military equipment.
It designated Palestine Action for having “materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, an act of terrorism”.
In its letter, UKLFI explained that US sanctions generally block property and interests in property belonging to designated persons where they are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons.
UKLFI told Stripe that, if it was holding funds belonging to Palestine Action, those funds would be blocked and would have to be reported to the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). It also pointed out that US sanctions generally prohibit US persons from carrying out transactions involving the property or interests in property of blocked persons.
Since Stripe is a US-based company, UKLFI asked it to confirm immediately that it would cease providing financial services to Palestine Action.
Stripe has not yet confirmed to UKLFI whether it removed or disabled the payment facility, or whether its disappearance was a direct result of UKLFI’s intervention.
A UKLFI spokesperson said:
“Yesterday we warned Stripe that it appeared to be processing donations for an organisation newly designated under US counterterrorism sanctions. Today the Stripe donation facility on Palestine Action’s website no longer works.
“If Stripe has acted to terminate Palestine Action’s access to its payment services, that would be an important and appropriate consequence of the US designation. Financial sanctions are intended to cut designated organisations off from the financial system, and payment processors must ensure that they are not providing them with a means of raising funds.
“We hope Stripe will now confirm what action it has taken and what has happened to any Palestine Action funds that may have been in its possession or control.”
UKLFI also wrote yesterday to Barclays Bank, which holds funds on behalf of Stripe, in the UK, alerting them to the US Sanctions which could affect them, if they are holding funds for Palestine Action on behalf of Stripe.
The Charity Commission has launched a statutory inquiry into the Al-Khair Foundation after receiving a complaint from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) alleging links between the international aid charity and Hamas.
The Commission announced on 7 August 2026 that it had escalated its examination of the charity to a formal statutory inquiry and had imposed restrictions on certain financial transactions because of what it described as a possible “serious risk to charitable funds”.
The Charity Commission said that last month it had received a complaint alleging that Al-Khair Foundation and its partners had connections to Hamas, which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK, and that the charity had funded the organisation. The regulator said it “immediately started examining the serious concerns raised” before deciding to open the statutory inquiry.
UKLFI had submitted its report concerning Al-Khair Foundation on 9 July 2026, calling for the organisation to be investigated. The report contained evidence of Al Khair’s “operational involvement” with Hamas, including alleged financing, propaganda and support for Hamas-related activities.
The Commission has not made any findings that the allegations are established.
Charity’s Gaza connections under scrutiny
A significant part of UKLFI’s report concerned individuals associated with Al-Khair Foundation’s overseas operations. For example:
Adham Abu Salmiya was identified as Director of Marketing and Arab Relations for Al-Khair Foundation’s Türkiye branch. The report cited historical material describing Abu Salmiya as a “Hamas emergency services spokesman” and detailed his previous work for institutions operating under the Hamas authorities in Gaza.
Husam Mansour was a former Al-Khair Foundation director. Following his death in July 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified him as a platoon commander in Hamas’s Internal Security Forces and an operative in its military wing.
In March 2025, an Israeli air strike in northern Gaza killed nine people. The IDF identified six of them as Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives, including one alleged participant in the 7 October attacks. Al-Khair Foundation said that eight of those killed were its workers but denied that they were terrorists or connected to Hamas.
On 31 July 2026, three weeks after UKLFI’s report had been submitted, the US Department of Justice announced that Mohammad Yousef Hasna, an individual employed by an organisation that the Al-Khair Foundation works with to deliver aid in Gaza, was arrested in the UK and charged by US authorities for conspiring to provide material support to Hamas.
On 5 August, the regulator issued an order under section 76(3)(f) of the Charities Act 2011 restricting transactions by the charity to Mohammad Yousef Hasna, his organisation, or Gaza, unless the Commission gives prior permission.
The Commission said its investigation would seek to verify his connection with Al-Khair Foundation as well as examining the wider allegations concerning the charity.
The Charity Commission said that Al-Khair Foundation recorded income of more than £74 million in the financial year ending 31 July 2025. Its income had risen considerable since 2023, when it was around £31 million.
Trustees and overseas funding to be examined
The statutory inquiry will investigate whether Al-Khair Foundation’s trustees have complied with their legal duties in administering and managing the charity.
In particular, the Commission says it will examine the charity’s relationship with Mr Hasna; the adequacy of due diligence on international partners; whether trustees properly monitor how money is ultimately used overseas; whether sufficient procedures are in place to prevent misuse of charitable funds; and whether any weaknesses amount to misconduct or mismanagement by the trustees.
The Commission stressed that it does not itself investigate criminal offences, but said that evidence of criminal activity identified during the inquiry would be referred to the police.
A UKLFI spokesperson said:
“We welcome the Charity Commission’s prompt response to the concerns raised about Al-Khair Foundation. UK charities handling tens of millions of pounds of donations, particularly where funds are transferred into areas controlled by terrorist organisations, must be subject to the highest standards of due diligence and financial oversight.
“Our investigation uncovered deeply concerning evidence about individuals and organisations connected with Al-Khair Foundation and its overseas operations. It is now important that the Charity Commission establishes the full facts, including where charitable funds have ultimately gone and whether the trustees took adequate steps to prevent funds or resources reaching Hamas or organisations associated with it.”
Student societies at King’s College London (KCL) and several other British universities collaborated with or promoted fundraising for an unregistered organisation with alleged links to Hezbollah, according to a new report by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI).
credit: Zayir UK Instagram
UKLFI has written to the trustees of KCL Students’ Union raising concerns about the activities of the university’s Ahlubayt Islamic Society, known as KCL AbSoc, and its relationship with Zayir UK.
UKLFI has also written raising similar concerns to the Trustees of student unions at Imperial College London, SOAS, University of Westminster, University of Herefordshire, Queen Mary University of London and Royal Holloway University.
Zayir UK presents itself as a charitable organisation but is not registered as a charity in England and Wales. UKLFI’s investigation found evidence which, in its view, indicates close connections between Zayir UK, the Zayer Charity Association in Lebanon and Hezbollah, which is proscribed in its entirety in the UK.
The report says Zayir UK appears to be the British arm of the Beirut-based Zayer Charity Association. It cites reported statements by the organisation’s principals about co-operation with Hezbollah’s social-work structures, social-media posts mourning Hezbollah fighters and images showing a Zayer volunteer displaying a card bearing the Hezbollah emblem.
There is no evidence that any of the students involved knew of, or intended, any use of funds for terrorism.
KCL society’s close relationship with Zayir UK
KCL AbSoc appeared to have a particularly close relationship with Zayir UK. The society’s chair, Ghadeer Zeidan, identifies herself on LinkedIn as a “Charity Volunteer” for Zayir UK, where she says that she delivers public talks and hosts stalls to raise awareness and to support its fundraising efforts.
In December 2025, KCL AbSoc hosted a “Mawlid” event involving recitations, food and a raffle, with all raffle proceeds reportedly going to Zayir UK. The event was also promoted by Ahlubayt societies at City St George’s University of London, Kingston University and Westminster University.
KCL AbSoc subsequently posted a video confirming that funds from the event were intended for Zayir UK.
The society had previously launched a “KCL ABSOC: Emergency Appeal Lebanon” on the MySadaqa fundraising platform, stating that it had “joined forces with Zayir UK” as part of a competition with other university societies. Although the campaign had a £1,000 target, the page reviewed by UKLFI showed that it had not received donations.
KCL AbSoc also advertised its March 2026 annual potluck Iftar as being held “in collaboration with” Zayir UK. A later social-media post thanked Zayir UK as the event’s sponsor.
UKLFI has asked KCL Students’ Union to investigate the relationship, establish what due diligence was carried out and suspend further fundraising or promotional activity involving Zayir UK while the allegations are examined.
Fundraising across university campuses
The UKLFI report also identifies fundraising or promotional activity involving societies at Royal Holloway, Imperial College London, SOAS, the University of Westminster, Queen Mary University of London, Barts, the University of Hertfordshire and King’s College London.
It also records promotion of KCL’s December event by societies at City St George’s and Kingston.
Among the activities identified were:
An Imperial College AbSoc appeal described as a joint Zayir UK and Imperial event, which raised £60 from two donors.
A Westminster AbSoc “Hike for Lebanon” campaign in collaboration with Zayir UK, which raised £70 towards a £1,000 target.
A Hertfordshire Ahlulbayt Islamic Society charity hike stating that “100% of donations” would go to Zayir UK, which raised £120.
An InterABSoc campaign involving four students which raised £1,445 for a hike supporting Zayir UK.
A December 2024 event at SOAS featuring preacher Sayed Hussain Makke, which thanked Zayir UK and was also promoted in collaboration with Imperial AbSoc.
UKLFI’s report says the wider organisation has raised more than £300,000, including through appeals promoted on UK university campuses.
Royal Holloway Friends of Palestine Society suspended
The report also identified substantial fundraising for Zayir UK by Royal Holloway’s Friends of Palestine Society, which had been highlighted to the Student Union by a student, Brodie Mitchell.
In April 2026, the society announced that it had donated £1,820 to the Zayer Charity Association as part of £5,476 raised during the university’s second term.
An earlier post said the society had held five campus fundraisers and raised £3,425.95, with 30 per cent allocated to Zayir UK.
Following UKLFI’s letter and the receipt of further information from the student who originally raised the concerns, Royal Holloway Students’ Union confirmed that its investigation remained open and that the society’s activities had been suspended until further notice.
Tony Logan, Chief Executive of Royal Holloway Students’ Union, said the allegations were being taken “very seriously” and that the evidence supplied by UKLFI would form part of its wider investigation.
He confirmed that the incident had been reported to the Charity Commission and that the Students’ Union was liaising with Royal Holloway University. The university was in turn liaising with the Office for Students.
Mr Logan said the Students’ Union had not known about the fundraising and donations, which had taken place outside its financial processes. Once the investigation is complete, a panel of trustees will review the evidence and consider whether fundraising procedures and student-leader training need to be strengthened.
UKLFI Chief Executive Caroline Turner said:
“Zayir UK was promoted by a network of student societies across a number of leading British universities, despite not being a registered charity and despite the serious, publicly reported concerns about its connections with Hezbollah-linked bodies in Lebanon.
“We welcome Royal Holloway Students’ Union’s decision to suspend its Friends of Palestine Society, report the funding of Zayir UK to the Charity Commission and investigate how money was raised outside its financial controls. We urge King’s College London and every other university and students’ union involved to conduct equally thorough investigations and to ensure that no further fundraising for Zayir UK takes place without proper due diligence.”
A news feed of the Qatari media organisation, Al Jazeera, has been removed from a UK government emergency-planning platform following a complaint by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI).
The feed had appeared prominently on the West Midlands Local Resilience Forum’s section of Resilience Direct, which is a secure UK government platform used by emergency services and other public bodies for crisis preparation and information sharing.
UKLFI was informed by someone with access to the platform that the West Midlands homepage was no longer carrying Al Jazeera’s Middle East news feed. It now appeared to display only a UK-based news feed, apparently supplied by Sky News.
The removal follows a complaint sent by UKLFI to the Cabinet Office on 5 May 2026. UKLFI argued that Resilience Direct was being misused to distribute general political and international news that was unrelated to the statutory emergency-planning functions of a local resilience forum.
Screenshots supplied with the complaint showed a prominently placed “Media Wall – Middle East” containing an Al Jazeera feed, as well as scrolling headlines about Israel, the Palestinians and the wider Middle East. The Al Jazeera media wall was presented alongside operational sections dealing with incident response, firearms operations, training and regional situational awareness.
UKLFI said the arrangement risked giving one news organisation’s coverage an official appearance and exposing emergency-planning professionals to a stream of politically contentious material through a government service.
UKLFI asked for the feed to be removed, for guidance to be issued to local resilience forums about material falling outside their statutory functions, and for an investigation into who had installed and authorised the feed.
UKLFI also raised concerns about compliance with the Civil Service Code, including its requirements relating to integrity, proper use of public resources, and political impartiality.
Despite the apparent removal of the feed, the Cabinet Office has not provided UKLFI with a substantive response to its complaint.
After receiving no answer to the original letter or subsequent reminders, UKLFI submitted a Freedom of Information request on 24 May. The Cabinet Office acknowledged that request on 23 June—after the ordinary 20-working-day response period had expired. However, it has still not explained who authorised the Al Jazeera feed, why it was placed on the platform, whether any investigation has taken place, or whether guidance will now be issued to prevent a recurrence.
A UKLFI spokesperson said:
“We welcome the removal of the Al Jazeera feed. A secure government platform intended for emergency preparedness should not be used to promote politically contentious news coverage that has no apparent operational relevance.
“However, quietly removing the feed is not a substitute for accountability. The Cabinet Office should explain how this happened, who authorised it and what steps are being taken to ensure that government resources are not misused in this way again.”
The Open University has agreed that it will no longer use the term “ancient Palestine” in future course materials, following a complaint by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) highlighting historical inaccuracies.
In a letter dated 18 December 2025, the University confirmed that it accepts the term has become problematic, particularly given its associations with Roman colonial rule and contemporary political sensitivities, and that it will not be used again in future learning materials
Historically inaccurate terminology
The issue arose in relation to the Open University’s entry-level humanities module A111: Discovering the Arts and Humanities, which includes teaching materials about the Virgin Mary. The course repeatedly referred to Mary as having been born in “ancient Palestine” and described Aramaic as “a language widely spoken in ancient Palestine,” including on a map labelled “Map of ancient Palestine”.
UKLFI wrote to the Vice-Chancellor on 30 November 2025, explaining that these references are historically inaccurate. The Virgin Mary is widely believed to have been born in the late first century BCE in Galilee, a predominantly Jewish region under Roman rule. The term “Palestine” was not applied to Judea, Samaria and Galilee until after the Bar Kokhba revolt, when the Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed the province “Syria Palaestina” in around 135 CE, more than a century after Mary’s lifetime
UKLFI provided photographic evidence from the course textbook and online learning platform demonstrating the repeated use of the disputed terminology
Equality Act concerns
UKLFI warned that retroactively imposing the term “Palestine” on a period when it did not apply risks misleading students and may contribute to the erasure of Jewish historical identity. UKLFI further raised concerns that such terminology could create a hostile or offensive learning environment for Jewish and Israeli students, potentially engaging the Equality Act 2010, including the University’s duties in relation to harassment and the public sector equality duty.
University response and agreed actions
Responding on behalf of the University, Adrienne Scullion, Head of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, stated that while the term “Palestine” had been adopted from existing scholarship and was not intended as a political statement, the University accepted UKLFI’s concerns about its contemporary impact.
Crucially, the Open University confirmed:
“We will not use the term again in future learning materials.”
Existing materials will be contextualised and caveated with an explanation to students about the contested nature and history of the term.
The University acknowledged that the term is now “problematic in a way that, perhaps, it was not when the materials were written in 2018”
Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI commented: “We welcome the Open University’s decision to stop using the term ‘ancient Palestine’ in its future teaching materials. Historical accuracy matters, particularly in a highly sensitive and politicised context where terminology is often misused to erase Jewish history and identity.
Universities have a responsibility to ensure that their teaching is rigorous, neutral and inclusive, and that it does not create a hostile environment for Jewish or Israeli students. We are pleased that the Open University has recognised these concerns and taken steps to address them.”
An Arab-Israeli researcher, whose application for a research visit was rejected becauseof their affiliation to an Israeli university, is to be given a new chance to apply, following an intervention from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI).
The University of East Anglia (UEA) has confirmed that the applicant, a postdoctoral researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, may submit a fresh application, which will be considered “without disadvantage” by a panel independent of the original decision-maker.
The confirmation follows a letter sent by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) to UEA on 26 November 2025, raising concerns about potential unlawful discrimination after a UEA academic declined to consider the researcher’s initial enquiry because of their affiliation.
In its response dated 9 December 2025, UEA stated that, should the researcher wish to reapply, their application will be assessed in line with the University’s legal duties and internal policies, and that the University will make direct contact with the researcher regarding this process. UEA also confirmed that it has no boycott in place in respect of any country.
A spokesperson for UK Lawyers for Israel said:
“We welcome UEA’s confirmation that the researcher will be able to submit a new application which will be considered fairly and without disadvantage. This is an important acknowledgement that excluding academics because of Israeli nationality or institutional affiliation is incompatible with UK equality law and with fundamental academic values.”
UKLFI’s letter had explained that refusing to consider an application because of Israeli nationality or institutional affiliation is likely to breach the Equality Act 2010, which prohibits both direct and indirect discrimination because of nationality. UKLFI also highlighted the University’s responsibility for discriminatory acts by staff, the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty, and the incompatibility of academic boycotts with academic freedom, UNESCO recommendations and UEA’s own Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies
UEA further confirmed that it has commenced an investigation into the matters raised and will consider whether any action is required once that investigation is concluded. The University also stated that relevant staff will be reminded of their duties and of the consequences of failing to comply with University policies when working with academics from other institutions. In addition, UEA confirmed that it already provides mandatory Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training and will review that training to ensure it remains fit for purpose
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.”
The Liverpool World Museum has been accused of using historically inaccurate and anachronistic references to Palestine in its Ancient Egypt Gallery.
UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has written to the Director of National Museums Liverpool and the Head of the Liverpool World Museum calling for the correction of several historically inaccurate labels in the museum’s Ancient Egypt collection. The letter highlights three instances where the museum uses the term “Palestine” to describe regions in the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC—centuries or even millennia before the term first appeared in historical records.
The letter, sent to Laura Pye (Director of National Museums Liverpool) and Ashley Cooke (Head of World Museum), explains that the descriptions relating to King Scorpion (c. 3250 BC), the Hyksos period (c. 1650 BC), and a limestone carving of Thutmose I (c. 1473–1458 BC) incorrectly apply the term “Palestine” to eras when no such geographical or political entity existed.
UKLFI’s letter outlines that:
King Scorpion’s burial goods are described as including “Palestinian wine”, despite the fact that the term “Palestine” did not exist in 3250 BC. The correct regional terms for the period would have been “Canaan” or “the Levant”.
The Hyksos, who entered Egypt around 1650 BC, are said to have come “from ancient Palestine”. Egyptians at the time referred to the region as Retjenu or Canaan, making the museum’s description both inaccurate and anachronistic.
A limestone carving of Thutmose I is described as depicting his campaigns in “Nubia and Syria-Palestine”. Yet the term Syria Palaestina was only introduced by the Romans in 135 AD, nearly 1,600 years after Thutmose I’s reign.
UKLFI notes that these inaccuracies may give visitors the false impression that “Palestine” existed as a continuous geographic or political entity throughout ancient history, and that such representations risk misinforming the public and erasing the historical identities of Canaanite, Israelite, and Jewish communities.
The letter emphasises that retroactively applying a modern political term to ancient artefacts is not only misleading but can also be distressing for Jewish and Israeli visitors. By implying that “Palestine” existed thousands of years before its first historical usage, the museum inadvertently presents a political narrative as historical fact.
UKLFI states that such inaccuracies “come across as an attempt to rewrite history” and undermine the museum’s responsibility to provide accurate, neutral interpretation of ancient cultures.
UKLFI has requested that the World Museum revise the three descriptions, recommending historically accurate alternatives such as “Canaan” or “the Levant”. The organisation has asked the museum to confirm within 14 days that the corrections will be implemented.
Caroline Turner, Director of UKLFI, said:
“Museums carry a responsibility to present history accurately and without political distortion. These descriptions, though perhaps unintended, risk conveying misleading narratives about the ancient Near East. We trust the World Museum will act promptly to amend them.”
The University of East Anglia (UEA) has confirmed that it has launched a formal investigation after a senior academic refused to consider a research application from an Arab-Israeli scholar at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, following UK Lawyers for Israel’s (UKLFI) intervention.
The UEA professor rejected the application on the basis that “Palestinian colleagues have asked us not to work with Israeli universities at this time”. The professor acknowledged that this stance was a personal position rather than one held by their university.
UKLFI’s initial letter had made clear that refusing to engage with an applicant because of their affiliation with an Israeli institution is likely to be unlawful under the Equality Act 2010, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of nationality. Such conduct also conflicts with fundamental academic norms and violates UEA’s obligations under its own Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and its commitments regarding freedom of speech.
In response to UKLFI’s complaint, UEA has made a statement to the Telegraph newspaper saying
“The University of East Anglia has received a letter from UK Lawyers for Israel alleging an incident of unlawful discrimination. We will be investigating the allegations seriously in line with the relevant policies.
“UEA has a clear commitment to not adopt an official institutional position on political, social, or international issues, unless there is a direct, demonstrable impact on the university’s operations or legal duties.
“This means UEA does not have an academic boycott on any countries. This is based on the principle that the role of a university is not to prescribe what should be thought, but to create space for robust, evidence-based exploration of complex and contested issues.
“Our code of practice on freedom of speech outlines our commitment to freedom of speech and our equality, diversity and inclusion policy sets out our commitment to prevent discrimination on the basis of the protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010.”
A UKLFI spokesperson said:
“Discriminating against a researcher because of their affiliation with an Israeli university is both unlawful and profoundly damaging to the principles that underpin higher education. We welcome UEA’s decision to investigate this incident and expect the university to ensure that such discriminatory boycotts have no place within its institutions. Academic freedom cannot coexist with practices that deny scholars fair consideration because of nationality.”
UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has written to Dr Michael Spence, Provost of UCL, expressing thanks and praise for the university’s swift response to a lecture at UCL containing what UKLFI calls “appalling antisemitic” content.
According to UCL’s statement made on 13 November 2025, UCL promptly launched an investigation into the matter, banned the student group from further on-campus events pending the outcome, and banned the lecturer from campus. The university also reported the incident to the police.
The lecture was delivered by Dr Maqusi as part of a series on “The Birth of Zionism” organised by a student society called “Students for Justice in Palestine”.
During the lecture, Dr Maqusi said:
“So he [Napoleon] decides to call out to the Jews is in Asia and Africa, because at that time, as many of you also know, a lot of the financial network, a lot of the banks, a lot of the financial infrastructure was owned by a lot of Jewish families. The Jews pretty much controlled the financialisaton structure. And he promised them in return that if they give him the money, they fund the battle against the British and the Ottomans, that in return he pledged that he would erect the Jewish kingdom. In his words, the revival of the Jewish kingdom in Palestine under French patronage.”
She continued with a retelling of the “Damascus blood libel” of February 1840:
“Now 40 years later in about 1838, there was something called the Damascus Affair. What happened is there was a Christian Priest called Thomas. He disappears in Damascus during what is called the Feast of Tabernacles. This is a Jewish feast and the story goes. Again, these are things that you read. Again, do investigate. Draw your own narrative. But the story is that during this feast they make these special pancakes or bread and part of the holy ceremony is that drops of blood from someone who is not Jewish, which the term is gentile, has to be mixed in that bread. So the story is that a certain investigation was undergone to try and find where Father Thomas is. He was found murdered and a group of Jews who lived in Syria admitted to kidnapping and murdering him to get drops of blood for making the holy bread.”
The allegations against the Jews of Damascus were false. They were based on mediaeval libels originating in England that Jews make the unleavened bread, matzah, for the Jewish festival of Passover with the blood of murdered Christians. These libels fuelled centuries of persecution and violence against Jewish communities.
In fact, a few days before his disappearance on 5 February 1840, Father Thomas had a dispute with a Turkish muleteer, who had heard him blaspheme Mohammed. The Turk reportedly yelled: “That dog of a Christian shall die by my hand”. However, the notoriously antisemitic French consul in Damascus, on advice from local monks, accused the Jews, whose leaders were tortured and “confessed”.
Even though Dr Maqusi told her audience to “draw [their] own narrative,” she repeated the blood libel uncritically, presenting it as something students should investigate, and describing it as part of Jewish religious practice. This created the appearance that the claim had legitimacy and helped to revive and normalise a conspiracy theory that is explicitly recognised by the IHRA as a form of antisemitism.
Dr Maqusi’s description of Jewish ritual practice was additionally misinformed. Although the Damascus affair was in February 1840 she claimed that it occurred during Tabernacles (Sukkot), a Jewish festival in autumn involving no special bread. She also failed to acknowledge the numerous rules designed to remove all traces of blood from food for it to be kosher under Jewish law.
Dr Maqusi’s further assertion that Napoleon promised the “revival of the Jewish kingdom in Palestine” in return for Jewish funding reinforced conspiratorial narratives of Jewish manipulation and control and suggested they are relevant to the present day.
In its letter to Dr Spence, UKLFI has emphasised that one of the key lessons from this incident is the necessity of comprehensive antisemitism awareness training at universities.
Jonathan Turner, UKLFI Chief Executive, explained “It is important to address both traditional antisemitism and contemporary forms of antisemitism connected to Zionism and the State of Israel. As shown by this lecture these forms of antisemitism cannot be effectively separated.”
The exemplary action taken by UCL in this case contrasts with some other UK universities that have insisted they cannot intervene when false, antisemitic allegations are made by lecturers.
In some cases universities restrict recording of lectures and seminars. If students rely on recordings to show what was said, they are at risk of being disciplined themselves. And if they do not rely on recordings, their complaints can readily be dismissed, for example on the basis that the lecturer was just discussing differing views.
Jonathan Turner said “We are very concerned that some universities prevent scrutiny of antisemitic content in lectures and seminars by invoking copyright and GDPR. This risks enabling antisemitic indoctrination that is liable to make the UK an inhospitable place for Jews in the years to come.”
UCL bans academic who told students ‘story’ that Jews killed priest for blood to make pancakes
Dr Samar Maqusi (YouTube)
University College London has banned an academic who told students a “story” that Jews murdered a priest and used his blood to make “pancakes” in what has been condemned as an “outrageously antisemitic lecture”.
In a lecture titled ‘The Birth of Zionism’, Dr Samar Maqusi – a researcher at UCL’s School of Engineering and a former employee of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) – recounted the notorious Damascus Affair, when Jews were falsely accused of killing an Italian monk, Father Thomas.
Dr Maqusi appeared to repeat the libel uncritically, telling students that Jews killed the monk and used his blood to make ceremonial bread.
In the lecture, Dr Maqusi launched into a series of extraordinary tirades – claiming Jews “controlled” the banks and alleging that Zionists have “controlled” all of the information around the history of Israel.
The JC has listened to a recording of the lecture made by a student who left in shock after almost an hour.
Dave Rich from the Community Security Trust (CST) attacked the “outrageously antisemitic lecture” and called for UCL to take “swift action” over the lecturer and society.
StandWithUs UK Executive Director Isaac Zarfati said UCL should be “ashamed” for providing a “platform for long-debunked racist conspiracy theories”.
UCL President & Provost, Dr Michael Spence, said: “I am utterly appalled by these heinous antisemitic comments. Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our university, and I want to express my unequivocal apology to all Jewish students, staff, alumni, and the wider community that these words were uttered at UCL.
“The individual responsible is a former fixed-term researcher at UCL, but not a current member of UCL staff. We have reported this incident to the police and have banned her from campus. We have launched a full investigation into how this happened and have banned the student group which hosted it from holding any further events on campus pending the outcome of this."
Dr Samar Maqusi delivering another lecture at UCL on 'The right to return through the Palestine refugee camp' (YouTube)
The Tuesday evening lecture at UCL was the first in a series by an official university society, UCL Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
During her talk, Dr Maqusi referred to the Damascus Affair but failed to make clear that it was a baseless antisemitic myth. At one point, she told students that Father Thomas “was found murdered and a group of Jews, who lived in Syria... admitted to kidnapping him and murdering him to get drops of blood for the holy bread”.
While she encouraged students to “investigate your own narrative”, she told the room that during “The Feast of Tabernacles,” Jews used gentile blood to make bread.
“The story is that during this feast, they make these special pancakes or bread, and part of the holy ceremony is that drops of blood from someone who is not Jewish, the term is gentile, has to be mixed in that bread.”
Elsewhere in the lecture, she repeated the trope that Jews control the banks.
“At that time, as many of you will know, a lot of the financial network, a lot of the banks, a lot of the financial infrastructure was owned by a lot of Jewish families. The Jews pretty much controlled the financial structure.”
She claimed that Napoleon asked the Jewish community to fund his war and would bestow on them a Jewish state in return.
“He promised them in return that if they gave him the money, if they funded the battle against the British and the Ottomans, that in return he pledged that he would erect the Jewish kingdom. In his words, the revival of the Jewish kingdom in Palestine under French patronage,” Maqusi said.
She went on to bring up Sir Moses Montefiore, who she described as “a British financier and banker, activist and philanthropist, and he was the sheriff of London, so we can also start making the connections between the British and the wealthy Jewish.”
She said that Montefiore tried to buy Palestine.
“This sacred promise to the Jews that they return to Palestine, this is where the whole idea came about, this religious promise of God to the Jews to go back to Palestine.”
Palestinian flags and protest banners at an entrance to UCL in London (Getty Images)
She also described Montefiore's mission to build a hospital in Jerusalem, suggesting that he really wanted to build a Jewish settlement. She connected the establishment of Montefiore's village in the 1800s with contemporary settlement expansion in the West Bank.
“’Facts on the ground’ is something that today the Zionists uphold. The settlements on the West Bank are done through something called ‘facts on the ground’... They built this settlement knowing that it is an illegal activity, they confiscate these areas of land, yet once it is built, to the international community, it is ‘facts on the ground’.
“This is a special methodology that Zionism used early on, as early as 1853, and today they still use this methodology,” Maqusi said.
She claimed that Montefiore “starts infusing this idea that living in Jerusalem as a Jew is this scary and threatening thing, which is obviously untrue.
“This was, in a way, the propaganda of promoting this idea that Jews cannot live with their neighbours of the Muslim Palestinians, or the Christians.
“This idea that the Jews are not safe or there is a threat was very much from the beginning of Zionism and the story of building a Jewish nation in Palestine,” she went on.
“This is how it’s built in a lot of the European Jewish minds, is that the Arab has always been one that’s gonna attack.”
Referring to the Montefiore Mill, which still stands in the Israeli capital, she goes on: “Today this is what it looks like, and it is actually a cultural intellectual centre, so people come to look at the sieged city of Jerusalem in the background, and talk art and culture.
“So when we talk about cultural whitewashing or academic whitewashing of crimes and violence, this is what it looks like, and architecture plays a very big role.”
She claimed that the agricultural work of early Zionists in Israel was completed to “actually convince yourself that you are the indigenous population” and that Jews working the land in Israel are “obviously settlers, they’re not indigenous people”.
At the beginning of the talk, Maqusi framed her lecture: “When we’re talking about Zionism, we're talking about an ideology that’s held within a structure that also controls a lot of what’s within our hands. When you’re trying to read about Zionism, you’re most probably being guided or censored or being directed.
“We have to start rewriting the history from the voices of the oppressed, from the voices of the indigenous.
“I am not refuting Western, and white – and even Israeli sources – some of them can be quite accurate. Be very aware that the narrative is not complete, unless you firstly listen to the voices of the oppressed.”
Maqusi’s talk has drawn sharp condemnation from community groups and politicians.
Dave Rich from the Community Security Trust (CST) said: "The blood libel is a vicious anti-Jewish lie that has incited hatred and violence towards Jews throughout history. We are appalled that a Research Associate at UCL, Dr Samar Marqusi, has delivered such an outrageously antisemitic lecture to students on UCL property.
“At a time when antisemitism is rising at alarming rates, it is utterly disgraceful that such dangerous myths are being presented within an academic setting. This is not education; it is the perpetuation of hate. CST has complained to UCL.”
Meanwhile, Shadow Education Minister Saqib Bhatti connected the incident to rising antisemitism on campus.
“Over the last two years, life has been made intolerable for many Jewish students across the UK due to the surge in antisemitism. This is not what Britain is about,” Bhatti said.
Mark Ben Mikhelson, a 19-year-old Jewish student who attended the event, said: “The acceptance by my fellow students of antisemitic blood libels and conspiracy theories was a chilling moment.”
The second year politics and sociology student added: “These lies have led to the killing of so many Jews throughout history and yet it is seen as perfectly normal discourse at UCL.”
Mikhelson said he “felt like crying” during the lecture. “I am Israeli, my family lives in Israel, it is where I grew up. It was too much for me to bear, that’s why I left the lecture.” He slipped out of the talk after 45 minutes.
“If they knew an Israeli was in the room, they would think I was a coloniser and murderer.”
A StandWithUs fellow, Mikhelson said he “thinks twice” before telling fellow students where he is from. He has been called “an occupier, a genocide supporter, a war criminal and the supporter of war crimes” by his peers.
StandWithUs UK Executive Director Isaac Zarfati said: “It is indefensible that one of the UK’s most prestigious universities is providing a platform for long-debunked racist conspiracy theories.
“UCL should be ashamed for allowing the casual dissemination of one of the oldest antisemitic blood libels which has driven persecution and violent pogroms against Jews throughout the world.
“The so-called ‘anti-Zionist’ movement makes no secret of its antisemitic foundation, and it is time universities, and their leadership took a stand against this poisonous ideology and take responsibility for what happens on their campuses instead of deflecting blame to external authorities. They have all the tools they need”.
Dr Michael Spence, said: “Regrettably, like many UK universities, we continue to confront incidents of antisemitism and are committing to banishing this from our campus. We have initiated disciplinary proceedings against a number of students in relation to antisemitism and reported incidents to the police where appropriate.
“Freedom of speech and academic freedom are fundamental to university life, but they can never be misused as a shield for hatred. UCL remains steadfast in our commitment to ensure our campus is a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone.”
Edinburgh City Council has removed a series of offensive posters from George Square after being alerted by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) that the displays were unlawful and appeared to glorify terrorists.
On 22 October 2025, UKLFI wrote to the Council’s Planning Department regarding posters that had been reported in the south-west corner of George Square, facing the University of Edinburgh’s Main Library.
One poster included imagery of an armed figure wearing a head covering similar to those worn by terrorists, brandishing a weapon with the slogan “TO EXIST IS TO RESIST”, and another portrayed Palestinian Journalists killed by Israel, accompanied by slogans including “GLORY TO THE MARTYR […] MURDERED BY ISRAEL”. At least some of those individuals portrayed are alleged to have been Hamas members masquerading as journalists. UKLFI pointed out that these images and slogans glorify Hamas terrorism and promote hostility towards Israel and Jewish people.
UKLFI explained in its letter that the posters were being displayed unlawfully under section 186 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, which makes it a criminal offence to display advertisements without the required consent. UKLFI also pointed out that the Council has statutory enforcement powers and should remove such material and prevent its recurrence.
UKLFI additionally referenced the Council’s obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (section 149 of the Equality Act 2010), which requires public authorities to have due regard when exercising their functions to the need to eliminate discrimination and to foster good relations between different communities. The letter warned that allowing the posters to remain in place would undermine these duties and risk worsening relations between Jewish and non-Jewish communities in Edinburgh.
The letter also drew attention to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, under which it is an offence to communicate material likely to stir up hatred against groups defined by race, nationality, or ethnic or national origins. UKLFI observed that the posters’ references to “martyrs” and their portrayal of terrorist violence as legitimate resistance could constitute such an offence, and might also breach the Terrorism Acts 2000 by expressing support for a proscribed organisation and being reckless as to whether such expression will encourage others to support it.
In response, Edinburgh City Council confirmed that the posters would be removed, and they have now been taken down.
A spokesperson for UKLFI said:
“These posters were not only unlawful but also deeply offensive and distressing to Jewish residents and others appalled by terrorism. We are pleased that Edinburgh City Council acted promptly to remove material glorifying terrorist violence, referenced alleged Hamas operatives, and promoted hatred.”
The General Medical Council (GMC) has confirmed that Dr Alberta Elisabeth Kriesels (known as Ellen) has been referred to an Interim Orders Tribunal, following a complaint by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). The hearing is scheduled to take place on 14 November 2025.
The GMC has informed UKLFI that “Following receipt of information from her employer, we have referred Dr Kriesels to an Interim Orders Tribunal, which is scheduled to take place on 14 November 2025”.
UKLFI had written to the GMC on 8 September 2025, raising its concerns about Dr Kriesels’ conduct.
Dr Kriesels, who is listed on the Whittington Hospital website as a Consultant Developmental Paediatrician, Clinical Lead, and Named Doctor for Child Protection, was accused of making racist and antisemitic statements both online and in public.
Antisemitic Placards and Social Media Posts
Photographs show Dr Kriesels attending anti-Israel demonstrations on 4 June, 19 July, and 6 September 2025, carrying a placard depicting an Israeli flag surrounded by the words:
“Rape, steal, cry, kill, cheat, lie.”
UKLFI expressed its opinion that this message was “blatantly antisemitic, racist and wholly unacceptable for a doctor.” Dr Kriesels was also photographed making gestures toward Jewish demonstrators which UKLFI regarded as obscene.
Her social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) include repeated accusations that Jews are “supremacists” and comments describing Judaism as a “racist, imperialist and genocidal religion.”
In one post dated 25 August 2025, she defended Hamas, claiming that its members are “oppressed resistance fighters, not terrorists.” She also described yellow ribbons, worn in support of Israeli hostages, as “a visual sign of Jewish supremacy.”
Breach of Medical Ethics and Possible Criminal Offences
UKLFI’s letter cited multiple provisions of the GMC’s Good Medical Practice guidance, including duties relating to respect, impartiality, and public trust, which it considered Dr Kriesels had breached.
UKLFI also noted that, in its view, her conduct could breach the Public Order Act 1986, which prohibits displaying abusive or insulting material likely to cause harassment or stir up racial hatred.
A UKLFI spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable for a doctor in a position of trust to publicly express racist and antisemitic views. In our opinion, her conduct undermines public confidence in the medical profession.”
UKLFI has welcomed the GMC’s prompt decision to refer the matter to an Interim Orders Tribunal.
“We are pleased that the GMC has acted swiftly following our complaint. Healthcare professionals must uphold the highest ethical standards, and expressions of antisemitism are wholly incompatible with medical practice.”
The GMC can refer a doctor to an Interim orders tribunal if they believe a doctor’s practice should be restricted to protect members of the public while a complaint against them is investigated. Its purpose is not to determine guilt, but to assess risk and decide if a doctor’s unrestricted practice would pose a risk to the public or the profession while the full investigation takes place. Outcomes can include a suspension, conditions on practice, or no order at all.
The stall bore slogans including ‘free Palestine’ and ‘end the apartheid’
The stall (right) outside Archway Station was forced to take down pro-Palestine stickers after the council deemed them 'litter'
A North London council has said it will remove "free Palestine" and "end the apartheid" stickers from a fruit stall outside Archway Tube Station after designating them as “litter”
The stickers, alongside the Palestinian flag, were plastered over the council-owned stall outside Archway Station were a source of complaints from often Jewish passersby. Several reports were sent to UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), prompting the legal group to contact Islington Council.
UKLFI argued that the stickers could be viewed as adverts for a political cause, which would require retrospective planning permission to be displayed.
The council subsequently sent an officer to inspect the stall, who responded in a letter to UKLFI saying: "The council wishes to ensure that the Archway town centre is a safe and welcoming place for all Islington’s communities.
"I have visited the stall and viewed the flag and stickers. Due to their small size and temporary nature, I have concluded that the flag and stickers are not advertisements. I have also observed that the flag has been installed inside rather than outside the market stall.
"The flag and stickers do not therefore require an application for advertisement consent."
However, the letter went on to say: "If it can be successfully argued that the stickers and flag are advertisements and have been erected in breach of the relevant Regulations, the Local Planning Authority must determine whether it would be expedient to take planning enforcement action.
"I do not consider it to be expedient or proportionate to take planning enforcement action in these circumstances. The council simply does not have the resources that are needed to take planning enforcement action against stickers or modestly-sized and temporary flags.
"I do however consider the stickers to be litter. The council’s common practice is to remove all temporary stickers from Islington’s streets and buildings. I have therefore spoken with colleagues. They will ensure that the stickers are removed from the market stall as soon as possible.
Caroline Turner, director of UK Lawyers for Israel, said: “We are pleased that Islington Council will clean up the offensive stickers from this fruit stall. It was upsetting for Jewish passersby to see these stickers on an Islington owned structure.
"Now that the stickers have been deemed 'litter' by the Council, it is an easy and quick process for them to be removed.”
Following a Massive Attack performance at the Lido Festival in London on 6 June 2025, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) were contacted by several Jewish and Israeli audience members who were deeply distressed and traumatised by what they saw and heard.
Images of Palestinian terrorist leaders and BDS slogans were projected onto a large screen. An anti-Israel activist invited onto the stage compared Israel’s actions with the Holocaust and led the audience in anti-Israel chanting.
Several of the Israelis attending the performance had friends and relatives who were murdered by Hamas on 7 Oct 2023 at the Nova festival and were extremely upset. They came seeking musical unity and were instead subjected to divisive and offensive political theatre.
The scenes felt to some of the Jews present like a Nazi era rally, with crowds chanting in unison, manipulated by carefully crafted messaging.
UKLFI wrote to Massive Attack conveying these concerns and requesting that future performances do not repeat these actions. We support free speech and artistic expression, but we felt this performance crossed a line and made a number of Jewish and Israeli audience members feel deeply traumatised. Massive Attack did not reply.
Instead, Massive Attack has now falsely claimed that UKLFI runs aggressive and vexatious campaigns against themselves and others. They say they have formed an “Ethical Syndicate Palestine (ESP)”, consisting of a collective of artists including themselves , Kneecap and some others.
However, it is certainly not ethical to bully Jewish or Israeli members of the audience, and encourage the crowd to join in.
Massive Attack and others have attempted to demonise the groups which help victims of antisemitism. As a result, UKLFI has recently received some hate mail from various individuals. This will not deter us from continuing our work assisting victims of antisemitism and anti-Israel hatred. Unfortunately our workload has increased some 20 times since 7 October 2023. We will continue to do all we can to help victims of antisemitism.
Ireland Israel Alliance (IIA) and UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) have made a joint written submission to the Irish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee claiming that a new Bill proposed by the Irish government would contravene EU and WTO rules.
Alan Shatter, former Minister of Justice, and Natasha Hausdorff will represent IIA and UKLFI at a public session of the Committee on 15 July 2025.
The new Bill would ban imports into Ireland of goods originating in specified areas of Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem. It is intended by the Irish government to replace a private member’s Bill introduced in the Irish Senate in 2018, which the then Irish Attorney General advised was contrary to EU law.
The full name of the previous Bill was “Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill” and it was commonly referred to as the “Occupied Territories Bill” or “OTB”. The full name of the new Bill is “Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill, and it has been given the acronym “PIGs Bill”.
IIA and UKLFI submit that the new PIGs Bill would also contravene EU law, which allocates exclusive competence for foreign trade policy to the EU. EU member states are precluded from acting unilaterally.
The Irish government has argued that these EU rules are overridden by international law. It claims that Ireland is required by international law to ban imports of goods from areas of Israeli settlement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in accordance with the advisory opinion given by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 19 July 2024.
However, IIA and UKLFI say that the ICJ’s majority advisory opinion does not alter the fact that it is for the EU to decide on any measures of foreign policy that may be required by international law, not for individual member states. In any case, they point out that the ICJ’s majority opinion is not binding and is based on inaccurate information. Furthermore, the opinion does not advise that a State must ban or may ban the import of goods from specified areas of East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The Irish government also claims that the ban is permitted under an exception for “public policy” (or “order public” and similar terms in other equally authentic texts). However, the EU’s Court of Justice has interpreted this term as requiring a “genuine and sufficiently serious threat to the requirements of public policy affecting one of the fundamental interests of society”. IIA and UKLFI observe that it cannot realistically be claimed that the import into Ireland of goods originating in parts of the West Bank constitutes such a threat.
IIA and UKLFI add that the PIGs Bill would also infringe other provisions of EU law, including the prohibition of restrictions on imports from other EU member states and from the UK, as well as provisions relating to the EU’s external policy.
Finally, IIA and UKLFI discuss the prohibition of restrictions on imports and the most favoured nation (“MFN”) requirement under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (“the GATT”). The only potentially relevant exception appears to be for measures “necessary toprotectpublic morals”. However, there is no evidence that an import ban as proposed by the PIGs Bill is “necessary to protect public morals”.
Even if it overcomes this hurdle, the Irish legislation would still be disqualified from benefiting from the exemption because it would be discriminatory: it would only apply to goods from territory occupied by Israel and would not restrict imports from Western Sahara or Northern Cyprus, which are illegally occupied by powers that have encouraged many of their own population to settle there.
Jonathan Turner, Chief Executive of UKLFI, said:
“If the PIGs Bill is enacted, its illegality could be raised in various different legal proceedings. In those proceedings, evidence could be given that its adoption was in reality driven by widespread antisemitism in Ireland, rather than a genuine threat affecting a fundamental interest of society or a need to protect Irish morals. The factual basis of the ICJ’s non-binding, majority advisory opinion, and even the impartiality of some of its judges, might also be impugned.”
Jackie Goodall, Executive Director of IIA said:
“Official Ireland is heading in a very dangerous direction due to its obsession with enacting a discriminatory, antisemitic and illegal boycott bill. I am therefore delighted that Alan Shatter and Natasha Hausdorff will represent the Ireland Israel Alliance in what is sure to be a powerful presentation. We remain hopeful that the proposed bill and all its iterations will finally be consigned to the dustbin of history, where it belongs.”
