A councillor has sparked an anti-Semitism row by wearing a Palestine football shirt at a town hall meeting in full view of his two Jewish colleagues.
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councillor → spark → colleagues
One said he felt so uncomfortable during proceedings that he left the chamber early.
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he → say → chamber
Mark Howell, who sits as an independent for Poole Town, wore the black, green and red shirt with the flag of Palestine to an official Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council meeting on September 30.
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who → sit → September
The commercial lawyer sat immediately in front of two Jewish councillors as they debated lease agreements.
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they → sit → agreements
Conservative councillor Lawrence Williams labelled Mr Howell's action as 'insulting'.
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Williams → label → action
He said: 'He knew exactly what he was doing.
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he → say → what
I didn't want to carry on with him behind me so I left early.
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I → want → me
I was quite shaken up.'
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I → shake → ?
Mark Howell, who sits as an independent for Poole Town, wore a Palestine football shirt to an official Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council meeting
Lawrence Williams and Anne Filer, who sat directly behind him (pictured right) said they were left feeling uncomfortable by his choice of attire
Mr Howell refused to apologise for wearing the shirt and said 'easily offended' people should not become councillors
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people → sit → shirt
Fellow Jewish councillor Anne Filer, who also sat directly behind Mr Howell, said the shirt made her feel 'very uncomfortable' - but added that wearing any football shirt at a council meeting was 'entirely inappropriate'.
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wearing → sit → meeting
She said: 'It is completely disrespectful to residents and he should know better.
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he → say → residents
I don't expect people to turn up in dinner jackets or even suits, but at least dress neutrally, appropriately and sensitively.
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people → expect → jackets
He is entitled to his opinion on Palestine, but we were there to discuss council finances and other local issues.
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we → discuss → finances
'This really needs to be taken up by the chairman of the council.'
A formal complaint of anti-Semitism against Mr Howell has reportedly been made since the meeting.
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complaint → need → meeting
Bournemouth's Jewish community, which numbers around 1,600, has suffered several anti-Semitic incidents in recent years.
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which → number → years
In August 2025, a teenage boy walking to the synagogue was shot in the head with an air-rifle.
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boy → walk → rifle
Nazi Swastikas have also been daubed on several homes of Jewish residents.
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Swastikas → daub → residents
Members of the public criticised Mr Howell's choice of attire on social media.
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Members → criticise → media
Former police officer Jo Keeling, a community campaigner, said: 'This isn't about taking sides in the conflict or criticising anyone's compassion for civilians.
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This → say → civilians
Wearing a politically-charged shirt at full council was, in my view, insensitive and out of place.
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Wearing → wear → place
Jewish people may have been among those present or watching and for many this is deeply personal.
'
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this → watch → many
We vote for councillors to represent our communities, and that carries a responsibility to behave professionally and consider the impact of their choices.
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that → vote → choices
'The chamber should be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect, so everyone feels represented.'
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everyone → treat → dignity
Her views were echoed by others who questioned why a dress code had not been enforced when schoolchildren have to abide by strict criteria.
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schoolchildren → echo → criteria
Tracey Bright said: 'Football shirts, political shirts and many more things are not professional for councillors at a meeting.
'
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shirts → say → meeting
So much emphasis is put on school children to wear strict uniforms because it prepares them for a working life and are punished if not.'
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it → put → life
Glyn Dickinson said: 'There should be a code of conduct relating to what councillors wear at meetings.'
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councillors → say → meetings
But Mr Howell refused to apologise for wearing the shirt and said 'easily offended' people should not become councillors.
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people → refuse → shirt
He added there was no formal dress code, while he considers a suit an 'outfit of the Conservative establishment'.
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suit → add → establishment
Mr Howell said he wanted to raise awareness of the plight of Palestinians and said a complaint of anti-Semitism which has reportedly been raised against him was an 'outrageous slur'.
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which → say → him
He said: 'People should not become councillors if they are easily offended.
'
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they → say → ?
I never wear a suit to council as this is the outfit of the Conservative establishment.
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this → wear → establishment
I did not make a big issue of my shirt in council - indeed, I did not speak at all on the Palestinian issue.
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I → make → issue
I have been informed that a councillor has complained, accusing me of antisemitism.
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councillor → inform → antisemitism
'All I did was wear a T-shirt supporting the Palestinian state, a status that has now been approved by the British government.'
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that → do → government
Mr Howell added that he had never raised his beliefs with the two Jewish councillors, although he would be prepared to do so.
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he → add → councillors
He said: 'I am aware that there are two Jewish councillors, but I have never raised the issue with them.
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I → say → them
'British Jews have a right to keep their opinions to themselves, and it would not be appropriate, and would be potentially anti-Semitic, to engage them in discussion over Israel if they had not chosen to enter the debate.
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they → have → debate
'Should either of these councillors wish to debate the issue, I would though be prepared to do so.
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I → wish → issue
Unlike some other councillors, I have not worn any Palestinian clothing in the past because I am not an exhibitionist and because I did not want to be perceived as jumping on a bandwagon.
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I → wear → bandwagon
…and 5 more, not listed.
The Aporia
