Edinburgh council to take down Palestine-Saltire flags on lampposts in city centre

Hundreds of people have emailed councillors and media outlets to protest against the flags, claiming they were causing “significant distress” among some residents in the city.

The individuals who sent the emails, which all had the same content, said the flags were causing distress to Jewish residents in particular who “increasingly feel uncomfortable and unsafe in their own neighbourhoods as a direct consequence”.

The flags have been attached to lampposts in the London Road, Leith Walk and Broughton Street areas.

In the bulk email campaign, the residents said: “While it is essential to protect freedom of expression, using council-owned property is not an automatic right.”

The added: “Public infrastructure should not be repurposed to promote political messaging, particularly when such messaging is divisive and causes community distress.”

The email goes on to claim the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee, a coalition of organisations campaigning to end the war in Gaza, may be responsible for the flags. The Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee has been approached for comment.

On Thursday, an Edinburgh City Council spokesperson said permission had not been given to attach the flags to the lampposts. The spokesperson said the flags would be removed in “due course”.

However, as of Monday morning, the flags could still be seen on certain streets. The council refused to specify when the flags would be taken down.

A council spokesperson said: “Attachments to street furniture can only be made with the permission of the council. These flags do not have such permission and will be removed in due course.”

Edinburgh City Council removed a number of Saltire and Lion Rampant flags attached to lampposts on Calder Road, in the Sighthill area of the city, in September.

The flags emerged following the “Operation Raise the Colours” campaign in England that saw Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags hung on lampposts in towns and cities.

Glasgow residents have also reported seeing flags hung from lampposts in the city.

The hanging of flags has become linked to debates around immigration and asylum seekers in recent months amid a wave of anti-immigration protests across the UK.

Those who support the movement say the flags are an expression of national pride, but others say the flags are being used to intimidate ethnic minorities and are a symbol of anti-immigration sentiment.

A Jewish Council of Scotland spokesperson said: “We welcome the assurance from City of Edinburgh council that they will remove the flags that have appeared across Edinburgh, and express our gratitude to the hundreds of people who have been in contact to request this action.

“The daily reality for so many Jewish people throughout Scotland is one of fear and anxiety that to be recognised as Jewish immediately places us at risk of antisemitic behaviour. The flags are not innocent expressions of solidarity - they incite hatred and sow division, exacerbating our community's fears and concerns.

“These behaviours should have no place in our modern, inclusive society.”