Harun Nasruallah
A Palestinian activist was detained at Heathrow Airport under the Firearms Act after wearing a sweater featuring a map of Palestine, sparking allegations of political repression and racial profiling.
The incident took place on April 20, when the activist arrived at Heathrow to report on the departure of Israeli politician Gideon Sa’ar, who faces accusations of war crimes in Gaza. The arrest has swiftly become a point of contention, raising significant concerns about the UK’s approach to handling pro-Palestinian expression.
A social media video shows heavily armed police officers stopping the activist and questioning him about his attire. The sweater, which prominently displayed a keffiyeh-patterned map of Palestine, was deemed provocative by the authorities.
The arrest took place amid rising tensions surrounding Sa’ar’s visit to the UK, where he was reportedly meeting with government officials despite calls for his arrest due to alleged involvement in war crimes.
The UK Foreign Office described Sa’ar’s visit as “private”, but human rights activists have called for legal action. The Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), based in London, and the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) in Brussels have jointly sent a letter to the UK’s Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, urging approval for a private prosecution. These groups are also seeking an arrest warrant for Sa’ar, which they plan to present to Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The arrest of the activist has raised concerns about a broader trend of suppressing pro-Palestinian expression in the UK. In recent months, similar incidents have occurred, including a teenager being questioned by counterterrorism police for wearing a Palestinian flag at an airport. Another individual was charged for wearing a headband with Islamic symbols during a pro-Palestine rally.
Critics argue that these actions reflect a growing pattern of curbing freedom of expression related to Palestine, particularly at times when global attention is focused on the ongoing conflict. The activist’s detention has drawn condemnation from human rights groups, who argue that it highlights the UK’s ongoing struggle to balance national security concerns with the right to peaceful protest and expression.
Photo: A Palestinian activist was detained at Heathrow Airport under the Firearms Act after wearing a sweater featuring a map of Palestine (Credit: Heathrow Airport/E-guide Travel)
