A STALL that appears regularly in Truro in support of the Palestinian cause is currently at the centre of a debate over its legality.

The organisation UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has reported that following its complaint to Truro City Council, the authority “has referred a stall accused of promoting Hamas and displaying antisemitic material to Devon and Cornwall Police”.

The UKLFI claimed the stall appeared at the Big Truro Market on Lemon Quay on September 12 without booking or permission from Truro City Council. It also raised concerns about reports that staff had openly expressed support for Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation, and the stall displayed posters containing material UKLFI argued that the material went beyond legitimate criticism of Israel, invoking antisemitic imagery and celebrating violence.

In a letter to Voice newspapers, reader David Lancaster said: “Having seen the stall myself, I was shocked and deeply concerned. I understand that similar concerns have also arisen in Falmouth and Penzance, which makes this all the more troubling for a county I have always regarded as welcoming and family-friendly.

“Cornwall’s reputation is built on its beautiful landscapes, strong communities and warm welcome to visitors. Families should be able to enjoy its towns and public spaces without encountering antisemitism, the glorification of terrorism or hatred directed at any community.”

Truro town clerk David Rodda said proceedings began around a month ago following receipt of an initial complaint. He insisted the council had not “referred” the stand to Devon and Cornwall Police, but was actively seeking advice from the force as to whether organisers were breaking any laws following complaints that the stand was promoting proscribed terror organisations, including Hamas.

“If they are breaking laws, the next question will be what the police are going to do about that,” he said. “I have visited the stall myself, and do not feel qualified to take a view one whether it counts as freedom of speech or goes onto the other side of that line. The police need to take a view on that.

“A lot of people may feel the message isn’t in line with their own values, but we have had all sorts of different groups use the quay. You can’t pick and choose simply because you don’t like the message.”

Mr Rodda confirmed the city council “has not given permission for the stall to be there, and have never been asked or taken any booking from the organisers”. He added that

“If someone like the farmers’ market books the whole quay, with risk assessments and insurance in place, and someone else comes into that area, they would have the right to ask them to move. Whether they would move or not is a different question.”

He admitted the policy for bookings on Lemon Quay “has probably never considered this scenario, so we have to look and check it is robust enough to deal with unauthorised users, giving us the authority to ask them to move”.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Shop Small, which collaborates with Truro Farmers Market on the monthly Big Truro Market, said: “The stand is not a part of the monthly BIG Truro Market or more regular Truro Farmers Market. I believe they generally set up somewhere on Lemon Quay every Saturday.”

Truro Voice has attempted to identify and contact the organisers of the stall.