Plans by Fife Council to raise the Palestinian flag over its headquarters next week have sparked a row.
Fife Council will fly the Palestinian flag over Fife House for one week to raise awareness of and protest against the suffering of the people of Gaza.
But the chairman of the Tayside and Fife Jewish Community said it was concerned the council’s decision could “ferment” anti-Jewish sentiment in Scotland.
Fife Council has expressed hope that by flying the flag it can add strength to the public pressure for a lasting ceasefire.
Its stance has been supported by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign Fife which organised a pro-Palestinian march attended by around 700 people in Kirkcaldy last Saturday.
It has emerged, however, that despite its pledge, Fife Council did not own a Palestine flag and was awaiting an order to be delivered from Glasgow.
Meanwhile, Dundee City Council confirmed it is not planning any special action over Gaza, but it already displays a Palestinian flag within City Chambers. Neither Angus Council or Perth and Kinross Council have plans to fly the Palestinian flag in their counties.
The Glasgow Jewish Representative Council this week described Glasgow City Council’s decision to fly the flag as the “worst kind of gesture politics”.
For more on this story see The Courier or try our digital edition.