Currys to axe staff Palestinian flags on name badges amid ‘intimidation’ fears
Currys has removed Palestinian flag badges from staff name tags after Jewish customers reported feeling distressed by their display in stores.
The retail chain faced complaints from Jewish and Israeli shoppers who felt unwelcome and intimidated by staff wearing the flags, which had been introduced to indicate Arabic-speaking employees.
The decision follows incidents at branches in Cambridge and Hemel Hempstead where customers reported feeling uncomfortable and discriminated against.
Currys had implemented the flag policy as part of its “commitment to inclusion”, allowing Palestinian flags on name badges to help customers identify Arabic-speaking staff members.
The practice came under scrutiny following several complaints from customers who felt uncomfortable with the display.
The high street retailer is now “exploring alternative ways” to indicate which languages their staff members speak.
The controversy follows similar incidents in the retail sector, including Amazon’s removal of a company video in October 2024 featuring an executive wearing a Palestinian-themed pendant.
At a Cambridge branch, an Israeli national was approached by a staff member wearing the Palestinian flag while shopping for a television on February 8.
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After declining assistance due to discomfort with the flag, the customer reported that a manager instructed another employee not to serve him for being “rude”.
“The incident has certainly left me feeling insecure and unwelcome. I felt that my right to professional and unbiased treatment was compromised,” the customer, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Telegraph.
The customer subsequently purchased a £1,500 television elsewhere.
In a separate incident at a Hemel Hempstead store in August 2024, a Jewish customer requested not to be served by a staff member wearing the Palestinian flag badge.
The situation escalated after the customer photographed the employee’s name badge, leading to him being asked to leave the store.
“The badge made me uncomfortable because it was unnecessary and was clearly there to make a political statement. We were effectively refused service because we were Jewish. I never expected to be treated that way in Britain,” the customer told The Telegraph.
The customer claimed the staff member later photographed his family and car, though Currys said this was in response to an alleged offensive gesture.
UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), representing two of the affected shoppers, warned Currys it could be breaching equality law by creating “a hostile and intimidating atmosphere for Jewish and Israeli customers”.
The legal group said the Palestinian flag could be interpreted as support for the Palestinian cause and opposition to Israel, or even as support for Hamas attacks.
UKLFI suggested alternative methods for indicating Arabic-speaking staff, stating: “He could wear a badge saying in Arabic ‘I speak Arabic.'”
Currys issued an apology following the incidents, stating: “We are sorry to learn of two instances of customers feeling unwelcome in our stores because of flags displayed on colleague name badges.”
The retailer explained that the badges had included world flags to signal languages spoken as part of their commitment to inclusion.
“We have reviewed our use of flags on these badges and the use of all world flags has been discontinued. We remain committed to an inclusive Currys where everyone feels welcome,” the company said.