Modiin resident says police questioned him over kippa with Palestinian flag, returned it with flag cut out

Alex Sinclair's mutilated kippa, with an Israeli flag intact and a Palestinian flag removed, as pictured on April 23, 2026. (Alex Sinclair)
Alex Sinclair's mutilated kippa, with an Israeli flag intact and a Palestinian flag removed, as pictured on April 23, 2026. (Alex Sinclair)

A Modiin resident says he was questioned by police because his kippa displayed both an Israeli and a Palestinian flag. After the interrogation, the kippa was returned to him with the Palestinian flag cut out, he tells Channel 12 news.

Dr. Alex Sinclair tells Channel 12 he was wearing his kippa in a cafe in Modiin when a person came up to him and said, “I am calling the police.”

After police arrived and told him the image on his kippa was illegal, he says he did not receive a clear answer as to what law they were talking about.

Displaying a Palestinian flag is not illegal, but police regularly confiscate flags at protests, claiming they disturb the peace.

Alex Sinclair wearing a kippa with Israeli and Palestinian flags (Alex Sinclair)

“At the police station, they asked me questions and told me they would allow me to go, but I must leave the kippa with them. I said that I can’t and that the kippa is important to me; I’ve been wearing it for years. In the end, the police entered the room and returned the kippa cut up,” he says.

Alex Sinclair (Courtesy)

“As I sat in the interrogation, I thought surely someone would come in and tell me this is an April Fool’s joke. I am horrified at the behavior of the police officers. I, as a citizen, want to believe that the police are there to protect me. I now feel the police in my city see me as an enemy. And this is a terrible feeling.”

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.