Hostage flags confiscated from Jewish group touring Auschwitz

The Auschwitz Museum has defended its decision to confiscate Israeli flags bearing yellow hostage ribbons from Jewish tourists visiting from the UK.

Members of the tour, organised by Bushey Synagogue in Hertfordshire, were left shocked when security personnel at the museum seized the flags. The museum later justified the move, stating that while national flags are permitted, any alterations – including symbols or slogans – violate its regulations.

The 46-member group, which included Bushey’s senior rabbi, Elchonon Feldman, were taken aback by the decision.

“The group were really upset and couldn’t understand it,” said Lawrence Bentley, 76. “It is really bad in this day and age.”

Bentley and his wife, Stella, 74, who helped organise the trip alongside Jewish heritage charity JRoots, said the group tried to explain to security officers that the yellow ribbons represented the hostages in Gaza. Guards insisted that the addition of the yellow ribbon rendered the flags a “political statement” and confiscated them.

They had already worn the flags at Auschwitz Two when the confrontation occurred after the group passed through the Auschwitz One museum’s airport-style security checks. Some members wore the flags draped over their shoulders but were stopped and told they could not proceed.

“We explained it was for the hostages, but they said the yellow ribbon was a political thing,” Bentley said.

A senior security officer was called over. “He told us, ‘My hands are tied, it is a political statement and that is it.’” The flags were returned at the end of tour.

The Bentleys, who had visited Auschwitz twice before, had purchased 30 hostage flags in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, during a trip to Israel earlier this month, intending to wear them during their visit. “We knew people would want to wear them. People often wear Israeli flags in the museum,” Bentley said.

While his own flag was hidden in his bag during the security checks, he revealed it once inside the site. “When we were in Auschwitz, we all gathered in a huddle with the flag and sang,” he said. “I had to show the flag surreptitiously so our tour guides did not see it.”

The group sang Am Yisrael Chai and Oseh Shalom. “We wanted to affirm Jewish life, as terrible as that place is, singing reaffirms that we are still here,” Bentley explained.

They lit candles and recited prayers for the hostages. At one site, the women in the group read aloud the names of every hostage.

“We have been saying ‘never again,’ and here we are again, with people committing crimes against Jews and Israelis, just as the Nazis did throughout Europe,” Bentley added. “That’s why we had to remember the hostages on our visit.”

A spokesman for the Auschwitz Museum defended the confiscation, telling the JC: “Visitors to the Auschwitz Memorial are allowed to bring national flags; however, they must not be altered in any way, such as by adding slogans, symbols, or other modifications. Any altered flag is no longer considered a national flag and does not comply with the Memorial's regulations. All visitors agree to these guidelines upon purchasing an entry ticket.

“These regulations have been in place for many years to prevent any attempts to use the Memorial for activities unrelated to its history, which could be perceived as disrespectful to the victims of the German Nazi camp or as an attempt to instrumentalise their suffering in any way. These rules apply to all visitors, regardless of intent or good faith.

“Israeli flag was altered by the addition of a yellow ribbon. As a result, it no longer qualified as a national flag and, therefore, did not comply with our regulations.”

The spokesperson said this represented “our commitment to preserving the dignity and historical integrity of this important site.”