In brief
Alex Sinclair, a 53-year-old British Israeli academic, was detained by police in Modiin, Israel, after being reported for wearing a kippah adorned with both Israeli and Palestinian flags. The police cut off the Palestinian flag portion before returning the kippah. The incident has sparked outrage over perceived violations of freedom of expression and an ongoing investigation into the police’s actions.
A British Israeli academic has expressed shock after Israeli police detained him for wearing a kippah, or Jewish skullcap, that featured both Israeli and Palestinian flags. Alex Sinclair, 53, was taken from a café near his home in Modiin, central Israel, after a religious individual alerted authorities, claiming his kippah was against the law. After being detained, Sinclair was locked in a cell and forced to hand over his kippah, which was later returned with the Palestinian flag portion cut away.The unusual incident has gained significant attention both domestically and internationally, especially after Sinclair highlighted it on social media. Israeli police have since stated that an internal investigation into the officers involved has been initiated. Sinclair, a lecturer and novelist, had worn his kippah for approximately 20 years as a symbol of his complex Jewish-Zionist identity.Sinclair described the experience as 'surreal' and shared that he had often received positive reactions from Palestinian citizens of Israel due to his choice of kippah. The case has sparked outrage, with critics highlighting the broader implications regarding freedom of expression in Israel, particularly in light of heightened tensions surrounding the Palestinian flag under the current far-right government. The Hebrew University, where Sinclair is employed, released a statement condemning the police's actions, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression. Sinclair is now planning to order a new kippah with both flags and has filed a complaint against the police seeking compensation for the damage to his original kippah.
