Teacher arrested for wearing kippah emblazoned with Israeli-Palestinian flags: Times of Israel

Teacher Alex Sinclair has been arrested by Israeli police for wearing a kippah emblazoned with Israeli-Palestinian flags. He was previously arrested by the IDF for wearing the specially designed kippah. He was detained for several days before being released.
A kippah is a small hat worn by Jews. After repeated incidents of this kind, he made it clear that he would not back down and was determined to speak out for what he believed.
Last April, during a police raid in Jerusalem, it was alleged that a section of the Palestinian flag had been cut from Sinclair’s kippah. He was briefly detained at the time. He was later released, but the kippah was returned damaged.
Sinclair is a British-born author and academic who has lived in Israel for a long time. He says he first had this particular kippah made about 20 years ago, with the two flags of Israel and Palestine together. Over time, it has become part of his identity.
Recently, he ordered a new kippah with the same design from the same shop in Jerusalem. He says the shop owner did not recognize him at first after the incident, but later agreed to make a new kippah after learning the full story.
However, the shop owner is said to be reluctant to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Sinclair has also kept the shop’s name confidential due to security concerns. Sinclair says he wears the kippah with the two flags not only as a political message, but also as a symbol of coexistence and peace. According to him, it is part of his identity and beliefs, which he wants to carry in public.
He added that in Israel, the kippah is not only religious, but often also a political stance. He also commented that the different types of kippahs can give an idea of ​​a person’s social and political views.
He acknowledged that in the current political climate in Israel, especially after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the use of the Palestinian flag has become more sensitive. However, he believes that carrying the two flags together sends a message of coexistence and peace.
The police action against him caused controversy in Israel, and he later said that he received widespread sympathy. Now, wearing a new kippah, Sinclair wants to express his position naturally again. He says that he will not succumb to fear or pressure to express what he believes.