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Israeli police are investigating an incident in which a British Israeli academic was detained for wearing a kippah bearing both Israeli and Palestinian flags, and the Palestinian portion was cut off by officers, according to multiple reports.
Dr. Alex Sinclair, a 53-year-old resident of Modi'in, told the BBC that he was sitting in a café on Monday when a religious man shouted that his kippah was "against the law." Police arrived and told him the kippah was being confiscated, then detained him for about 20 minutes in a cell, the BBC reported. When Sinclair insisted on the return of his kippah, an officer handed it back with the Palestinian flag cut out, he said.
A spokesperson for the police told the BBC that a complaint had been filed with their internal investigations division. The Justice Ministry's Police Investigation Department (PID), which probes allegations of police misconduct, is investigating the case, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Coverage comparison
The incident has drawn attention in Israeli and international media, with coverage ranging from neutral reporting to sharp criticism of the government's policies.
The BBC's report is factual, quoting Sinclair's account and noting the police confirmation of an investigation. It describes the kippah as "embroidered with an Israeli flag on one side and a Palestinian flag on the other" and includes Sinclair's remarks about being "shocked" and the episode feeling "surreal."
The Jerusalem Post, which published several articles on the story, provided the most extensive coverage. A news report by Tzvi Jasper repeated Sinclair's version of events and said the PID was investigating. An editorial in the Post argued that displaying a Palestinian flag is not explicitly illegal under Israeli law, and that the police's actions were an overreach that gave the international media "ample material" to portray Israel as an "intolerant police state."
Another Post article by Sebastien Levi, written in French and translated by the Post, was highly critical, saying the incident reflected "the deterioration of democratic norms in Israel under the current government" and accused National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of giving police "unrestrained" authority. That article also claimed that a law passed in 2023 under Ben-Gvir banned displaying the Palestinian flag in public spaces, though the editorial asserted that no such explicit ban exists under Israeli law.
Sinclair himself wrote a first-person essay for the Jerusalem Post, explaining the symbolism behind his kippah and addressing criticism from those who see the Palestinian flag as a symbol of terrorism. He said he has worn the kippah for almost 20 years as an expression of his "messy ambivalence of my Jewish-Zionist identity."
Key claims
According to multiple sources, the following facts have been established:
- Alex Sinclair was detained by police in Modi'in after another patron complained about his kippah. The police said the kippah was against the law and confiscated it. (BBC, Jerusalem Post)
- The kippah was returned to Sinclair with the Palestinian flag cut out. (BBC, Jerusalem Post, Sinclair's own account)
- The Police Investigation Department is investigating the incident. (Jerusalem Post, BBC)
- Sinclair has worn the kippah for 20 years as a symbol of his Jewish-Zionist identity. (BBC, Sinclair's essay)
- The incident has gained domestic and international media attention. (BBC, Jerusalem Post editorial)
Perspectives
Sinclair's perspective
In his essay, Sinclair explained that his kippah represents the complexity of the conflict and the need to recognize "multiple truths." He acknowledged that the Palestinian flag is associated with Hamas and terrorism, which he said he opposes, but he argued that Palestinians also have agency and rights. He said he does not want to be killed by terrorists, but he also believes Israelis must recognize Palestinian humanity. He described the cutting of his kippah as an act that destroyed "a religious ritual object, something that is very dear to my heart."
Critics of the police and government
The Jerusalem Post's critical pieces argued that the incident demonstrates a decline in democratic norms and freedom of expression in Israel. They criticized the police for overstepping their authority and accused National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and the current government of fostering an environment where such actions go unpunished. The editorial noted that even though an investigation was initiated, no reprimand came from the government or the minister.
Supporters of the police action
Sinclair reported that the man who complained to police argued that the Palestinian flag is "the flag that Hamas marches under" and represents people who want to kill Israelis. This perspective, echoed by some commenters online, holds that displaying the Palestinian flag can be seen as support for terrorism. However, no official statement from the police or government justifying the confiscation has been published in the sources provided.
Timeline and context
- Monday (date): Sinclair is detained in Modi'in. (BBC)
- April 23-27: Sinclair's social media post goes viral, prompting international media coverage. (Jerusalem Post)
- April 27: Sinclair's essay and the Post editorial are published, highlighting the controversy.
- April 30: Sebastien Levi's critical analysis is published, claiming the incident reflects broader democratic decline.
Conclusion
The incident has sparked debate about the limits of freedom of expression in Israel, the status of the Palestinian flag under Israeli law, and the conduct of police under the current government. While the police have opened an investigation, no further details or outcomes have been reported yet. The story continues to evolve as more voices weigh in on its implications.