National Trust Scotland Backs Down!

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We sent this email to the National Trust Scotland:

Dear Sir/Madam

Please consider this to be a formal complaint.

We were astonished to read a 'statement' that appears at the Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre, regarding Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.

We have no idea what this has to do with the Battle of Bannockburn but one thing we do know: this statement is totally inaccurate.

It is blatantly one sided and denies the facts; namely that Jews have always lived in what was Judea and is now Israel.

Our understanding is that as a charity, you are supposed to be politically neutral. This statement is certainly not and in effect just repeats the narrative of Hamas, the terrorists who constantly attack Israel.

Unless this is removed we  shall have no option but to make a complaint to the Charities Commission.

Sincerely

T Caplan

Action On Antisemitism

actiononantisemitism.org

Within a few hours we received this: 

Dear Tabatha

I am very sorry that you have had cause to complain.

Now that I have had an opportunity to review the post placed on the Battle of Bannockburn’s Facebook page and the display material featured, I must agree with you that it was inappropriate.  I have therefore given immediate instruction that both be taken down.

It is no excuse, but the material concerned was assembled as part of a Children in Scotland on a project to engage young people in museums and was produced by school-age children.   The Trust does pride itself on its political neutrality and clearly more judgement should have been exercised in this case.

Once again, I am sorry for any upset caused.

Yours sincerely

Stuart

Stuart Maxwell

General Manager (Edinburgh & East)

National Trust for Scotland

Newhailes House

Musselburgh

Edinburgh

EH21 6RY