MCB Guidance on Palestine 2023

Yes. It is lawful to express support for the Palestinian cause and wear Palestinian symbols to express that support. It is also lawful to express solidarity with the Palestinian people who are suffering occupation and under blockades by Israel.

While expressing lawful support of the Palestinian People, it is also important to take heed of the Home Secretary’s guidance to Chief Constables on 10th October 2023. In said letter (which is guidance only as it for the Police to enforce enacted legislations), the Home Secretary specifically referenced section 5 of the Public Order Act 1987 (an extract of the section is included below), in which use, display or expression of perfectly legitimate articles of Palestinian support (such as the flag) may be interpreted as violation of said section. At present, it is unclear how the police will interpret or action this guidance and therefore, we encourage affiliates to undertake its usual expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people but to also action care where necessary in its display of support, especially where potentially aggravated.

Section 5: Harassment, alarm or distress.

(b)displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting, within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby

Please use the Centre for Media Monitoring to direct your complaint: https://cfmm.org.uk/

Please use the Write To My MP tool: https://mcb.org.uk/initiatives/write-to-your-mp/

You can do this in one of many ways. Please see the Police guidance on this for further details. However if there is an emergency please call 999 immediately.

https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/hco/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime/

This is deeply distressing time with much graphical content online. Take time to speak to your children on what is happening and take a break from social media. Encourage positive ways to help support the campaign.

One way to positively support children is to help them understand the history around the conflict and the Palestinian people. Sites such as Britannica and United Nations offer and brief background on the conflict.

Reach out to colleagues, friends and neighbours. Have open conversations and renew community spirit and support each other at this difficult time.

As a general rule, any information obtained via social media should be treated with caution. At any time of conflict, vast amount of information is available and shared. It is important to understand that not all information on social media is accurate. We encourage you to continuously verify any such information that is available to you and only share information with care. It is also important to further specific guidance contained in this note on information received and shared and in particular, information around prescribed groups.

No. The law is clear on this; please see this government guidance for more information.

The following are not allowed under this guidance with more details are provided in the guidance via the above link.

• express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression is directed will be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation (section 12(1A))
• arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support or further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to a proscribed organisation
• publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo, in the same circumstances

You have a legal right to exercise the freedom of assembly. We encourage all to be mindful of conduct, personal safety and expression at such events.

General guidance is to follow school uniform policies but otherwise the same rules apply.