The Muslim Scout Association, a UK branch of the broader Scout movement, is facing scrutiny after sharing children’s artwork featuring the phrase “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea.” The phrase and accompanying images were posted last December as part of a “paint for Gaza” challenge conducted in partnership with the charity Islamic Relief to express solidarity with Palestinian children.

One of the artworks prominently displays the map of Israel filled with the colors of the Palestinian flag—green, white, black, and red—alongside a depiction of the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Another drawing incorporates Palestinian symbols, including a large watermelon, which is commonly recognized as a symbol of Palestinian identity. The slogan “from the river to the sea” appears along the outline of the map, referencing the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

The posting drew criticism from the Henry Jackson Society, a counter-extremism think tank, which sent a formal complaint to the Scout Association. The complaint highlighted that the phrase “from the river to the sea” has been criminalized in countries including Germany and parts of Australia because of its alleged links to Hamas and its perceived call for the elimination of the State of Israel. The think tank argued that the slogan is inflammatory, describing it as anti-Semitic and genocidal, and expressed concern that such imagery was circulated by a youth organization guided by principles of inclusivity.

Emma Schubart of the Henry Jackson Society stated that Scouts should foster unity among young people of all backgrounds, warning that exposure to slogans connected to proscribed terrorist groups is inappropriate. She called on the Scout Association to clarify whether the use of the phrase aligns with the values expected of Scout groups and urged the organization to disclose any actions it plans to take.

The Scout Association responded that it takes the complaint seriously and is conducting a thorough, impartial investigation. The organization underscored its commitment to opposing all forms of prejudice and discrimination, citing its code of conduct which promotes equality and political neutrality. According to the Scout Association, its members must not endorse any political party or candidate when representing the organization.

At the time of reporting, the Muslim Scout Association had not provided a comment on the matter.