A UK train operator has ordered staff not to wear Palestine solidarity badges while on duty after a complaint from the pro-Israel group UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI).
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) confirmed it reminded employees of its uniform policy after UKLFI complained that a Jewish passenger felt ‘uncomfortable and unwelcome’ seeing a staff member wearing an RMT union badge reading ‘Palestine Solidarity’ on a London-to-Edinburgh service.
In a letter to UKLFI, LNER managing director David Horne said the employee had been spoken to and staff across the company had been reminded that only authorised badges may be worn while in uniform. UKLFI welcomed the move, saying Jewish passengers should not face political messaging from customer-facing staff.
The RMT, which has consistently backed Palestinian solidarity campaigns and condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, declined to comment.
Following the outbreak of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, several cases have emerged of restrictions on expressions of support for Palestine in British workplaces. This includes a British-Palestinian nurse ordered to remove a video-call background featuring a watermelon, a symbol widely associated with Palestinian solidarity.
