A Lake District garden centre has taken action to ban its employees from wearing political symbols after a Jewish family lodged a complaint about a staff member wearing a pro-Palestinian badge.
The family, who visited Hayes Garden World in Ambleside, were left upset by the display, claiming the centre had shown ‘no regard for the feeling and sensitivity of visiting Jews or Israelis.’
In response to the complaint, the garden centre has updated its employee policy to prohibit all political symbols.
Following the complaint, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) were contacted, and they warned Hayes Garden World that displaying the Palestinian flag could be seen as supporting the Palestinian cause and opposing the State of Israel.
UKLFI also cautioned that the flag’s display could breach the Equalities Act 2010, potentially creating a ‘hostile and intimidating atmosphere’ for Jewish and Israeli customers.
