Israeli flags honoring hostages taken from Jewish visitors at  Auschwitz 

The Auschwitz Museum has defended its decision to confiscate Israeli flags adorned with yellow hostage ribbons from a group of Jewish tourists visiting from the UK.

The 46-member tour, organized by Bushey Synagogue in Hertfordshire in collaboration with Jewish heritage charity JRoots, was stunned when security personnel seized the flags. Museum officials later justified the move, stating that while national flags are generally permitted, any modifications - including symbols or slogans - violate museum regulations.

Among the group was Bushey’s senior rabbi, Elchonon Feldman. Lawrence Bentley, 76, who helped organize the trip, described the group’s reaction: “Everyone was really upset and couldn’t understand it. It’s really bad in this day and age.”

The confiscation occurred after the group had already worn the flags at Auschwitz-Birkenau (Auschwitz II) without issue. However, when they passed through the security checks at Auschwitz I, guards insisted that the addition of the yellow ribbon made the flags a “political statement” and confiscated them.

Despite attempts to explain that the ribbons symbolized the hostages held in Gaza, a senior security officer told them, “My hands are tied. It is a political statement and that is it.” The flags were returned at the end of the visit.

The Bentleys, who had recently purchased 30 hostage flags in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, specifically for the trip, had anticipated that participants would want to wear them as an act of solidarity. While Lawrence Bentley kept his own flag hidden during security checks, he revealed it inside the site.

Gathering in a huddle, the group quietly sang Am Yisrael Chai and Oseh Shalom as a defiant affirmation of Jewish resilience. They also lit candles, recited prayers, and read aloud the names of every hostage, ensuring their voices were heard even in a place marked by immense tragedy.

The Jewish Chronicle contributed to this article.