A theatre in London has been reported to the Charity Commission after it allowed staff to continue wearing “Free Palestine” badges despite being told that this caused distress to some Jewish audience members.

Staff at the Royal Court Theatre have been seen wearing the badges while selling tickets and programmes, in what UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has alleged was in breach of the theatre’s charitable objectives and the 2010 Equality Act.

The phrase “Free Palestine” was related to the expression, “from the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free,” which was known to carry antisemitic connotations in certain contexts, the legal advocacy group argued.

On more than one occasion, Jewish theatregoers have expressed shock, anger and upset after interacting with staff who wear the badge, according to UKLFI, which reported their concerns to the Royal Court Theatre.

On receiving the complaint, the theatre in Sloane Square, southwest London, refused to clarify whether the badges would continue to be worn by staff members.

Responding to UKLFI, Will Young, the executive director of the theatre, said: “Whilst we reserve our position in respect of the legal analysis set forth in your note, we will bear these considerations well in mind as we debrief our teams and continue our work to ensure that our policies and practices are as effective as they can be.

“We are always committed to ensuring that the Royal Court is a place where outstanding new theatre can be enjoyed by all, and appreciate your getting in touch to share these experiences.”

As a charity, the theatre was reportedly the recipient of £2.35 million of government grants in 2023.

Its charitable objectives are “to promote, maintain, improve and advance education or encouragement of the arts in the theatre”. But the “Free Palestine” badges, by being politically divisive, may pose a breach to those objectives, argued UKLFI.

Furthermore, because the badges may contribute towards an “intimidating, hostile and offensive” environment for Jews, Israelis or Zionists, the theatre could be in breach of the Equality Act 2010, the lawyers’ group allege.

UKLFI said it was also notable that the “racist mob” in Amsterdam who hunted down Israeli football fans in order to beat them up in November insisted that people they suspected of being Israeli should utter “Free Palestine” to confirm their “innocence”.

Caroline Turner, director of UKLF, said: “We thought that the role of the theatre staff was to serve and assist the theatre goers, not to foist their political views, which many people find offensive, on to everyone.”

The JC contacted the Royal Court Theatre for comment.