Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Apr 25: A British-Israeli academic has alleged that he was detained by police in Israel for wearing a kippah featuring both Israeli and Palestinian flags, in an incident that has sparked widespread attention.

Alex Sinclair, 53, said he was taken into custody from a café near his home in Modiin on Monday after a man objected to his head covering and alerted the police.

Sinclair said officers told him the kippah was “against the law”, confiscated it and took him to a police station, where he was briefly detained. He added that he was asked to hand over his belongings, frisked and placed in a cell.

He was released about 20 minutes later, but when he insisted on getting his kippah back, he found that the portion displaying the Palestinian flag had been cut off. He described the episode as “surreal”.

The incident gained traction after Sinclair shared details on social media, drawing both domestic and international reactions.

In a statement, Israeli police said officers had responded to a complaint regarding a man wearing a kippah with a Palestinian flag and brought him in for clarification before releasing him. The matter is now under review by the internal investigations division.

There is no explicit law in Israel banning public display of the Palestinian flag, although police are authorised to remove it if deemed a threat to public order or linked to support for a terrorist organisation. Policies have been tightened under National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has directed stricter action against such displays, a move criticised by rights groups.

Sinclair, a lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said he had worn the kippah for nearly two decades as a symbol of coexistence and his Jewish-Zionist identity. He emphasised his belief in the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.

He also said that while his choice of head covering had previously led to meaningful conversations, the recent incident left him feeling anger, frustration and concern.

The leader of Israel’s Democrats Party, Yair Golan, criticised the police over the incident, calling it indicative of a broader institutional failure.

The Hebrew University has also condemned the police action, describing it as a violation of freedom of expression.

Sinclair has filed a complaint alleging unlawful detention and damage to property, and is seeking compensation. He has also said he plans to order a new kippah featuring both flags, suggesting the episode could inspire similar expressions of solidarity.