The United Kingdom’s Scouts Association is investigating the UK Muslim Scout Fellowship (MSF) following allegations of antisemitic conduct, The Scouts Association confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
The matter was first raised by think-tank Henry Jackson Society (HJS), which complained that children in the Muslim branch of The Scout Association were encouraged to “paint for Gaza,” resulting in artwork featuring the antisemitic phrase “From the river to the sea.”
“We wrote to the Scout Association raising concerns. It has now confirmed it has opened an investigation,” HJS said.
Following this, the Post reached out to the Scouts, which confirmed it had received the complaint and “takes the concerns raised very seriously.”
“We have a robust process in place to ensure that matters of this nature are investigated thoroughly, impartially and fairly,” it told the Post.
'From the river to the sea,' map of Israel replaced with Palestinian flag
However, it said the complaint is currently at an early stage, and the organization was still establishing the relevant facts. “We will provide a response to the complainant once we have reviewed the matter in line with our policies,” the Scouts added.
The “Paint for Gaza challenge” is “dedicated to showing love and kindness toward children in Palestine.” Most of the images produced by children feature variations on al-Aqsa mosque with the Palestine flag.
Several feature the map of Israel replaced with the Palestinian flag, while others read “From the river to the sea,” a phrase widely seen as calling for the eradication of the Jewish state.
In its complaint, HJS points out that “From the river to the sea” has been criminalized in Germany.
“Given the slogan’s highly inflammatory nature, we are deeply concerned that children’s artwork bearing it has been circulated by a Scout-affiliated organization,” HJS said. “The Scouts Association has an important responsibility to ensure that all young people feel welcome and included, regardless of their background or faith.”
The Scouts Association has a commitment to political neutrality, and in its code of conduct opposes all forms of “prejudice and discrimination.”
Notably, the “Paint for Gaza” challenge was organized in collaboration with Islamic Relief, a body banned in Israel for its connections to Hamas.
Islamic Relief Worldwide, which is headquartered in the UK, has also faced severe accusations over the years regarding terrorist financing, ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, and antisemitism.