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Police Remove Palestinian Symbol from Lecturer’s Kippah, Spark Outcry

4/25/2026

46 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Police in Modiin cut the Palestinian emblem from Alex Sinclair’s dual-flag kippah before returning it.
Sinclair, a Hebrew University lecturer, was detained for the kippah and released after the flag was removed.
The Hebrew University condemned the police alteration as a freedom-of-expression violation.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged police to clamp down on Palestinian flags.

History

Historical Context

The Second Intifada erupted after Ariel Sharon’s September 28 2000 Temple Mount visit, prompting Israeli police to seize more than 1,200 Palestinian flags during Jerusalem protests that year. That flag-seizure policy set a precedent for authorities to curb symbolic displays. In 2024 Modiin police removed Alex Sinclair’s dual-flag kippah, echoing the 2000 approach and reviving freedom-of-expression disputes.

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Story summary

Police in Modiin cut the Palestinian emblem from Alex Sinclair’s dual-flag kippah before returning it.
Sinclair, a Hebrew University lecturer, was detained for the kippah and released after the flag was removed.
The Hebrew University condemned the police alteration as a freedom-of-expression violation.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged police to clamp down on Palestinian flags.

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