Heathrow staff 'wearing pro-Palestine badges' 'harassed' Israeli passengers and subjected them to 'degrading treatment' after customs official 'spotted Israeli flag on their luggage'

[veryconcernedtiger]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13559569/Heathrow-staff-Palestine-Israeli-passengers.html

Without doubt if this episode is proven correct the customs officers implicated should be instantly dismissed, and personally I would check to see if feasible for private prosecution.

Well, when the Met police can't do a proper job in immediately arresting those holding terrorist signs, it's no wonder people are emboldened to wear what they want. Those wearing the badges and their managers should be sacked. It won't happen.

Before anybody pulls me and says being pro Pal is not supporting terrorism. It's irrelevant; political allegiance is not permitted in employment, outside of the political arena. NO consumer should be made to feel uncomfortable.

I think it’s odd to be wearing anything identifying with any political movement or supporting one side of a war at work. It’s particularly odd and inflammatory if you work at a border in a large international airport. I would be surprised if there wasn’t guidances to cover this.

That said people are often pulled aside and into side rooms at borders. I would imagine that’s more likely in the middle of a conflict if you have flags or banners on your luggage or person. I don’t think it’s unusual to be told the guard can take you into a side room if they feel they should and don’t have to explain why. It’s the same for everyone.
Since guard was wearing pro-Palestinian colours and it travellers were displaying Israeli flags it does mean we have to question why this happened.

I think Heathrow have recognized that it was a breach of their own policies - probably in line with the Equalities Act - when the legalities were questioned.

I don't know if there were dismissals but I imagine they'll crack down on wearing badges, colours etc. at the very least.