A UK Government department has reportedly cancelled a bake sale to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) amid claims the organisation is "politically sensitive".
Novara Media reports the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) cancelled the bake sale – organised by members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union for Thursday – claiming the organisation undertook political lobbying.
It is understood that officials also noted that Jewish staff members had expressed concerns about the union's pro-Palestine position.
Under UK law, charities are prohibited from conducting politically partisan work, although they are permitted to lobby the UK Government in accordance with their charitable aims.
PCS members in DESNZ have written to Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband to condemn "racism" and "anti-Palestinian conduct" within the department, reflected by the decision to cancel the bake sale.
The letter adds that the implication that the bake sale could cause "distress to Jewish colleagues" was antisemitic, "as it presumed that this group would not support this action".
Novara understands Miliband was not involved in the decision, and he has not responded to the letter.
MAP's charitable objects are listed by the Charity Commission as: "The relief of poverty and the prevention and relief of sickness amongst inhabitants of the Middle East region, refugees and other displaced persons and in particular those refugees displaced from the former British mandate of Palestine.”
The charity’s aims also include “the advancement of education amongst inhabitants of the Middle East region".
Rohan Talbot, MAP's director of advocacy and campaigns, told Novara: “MAP is a registered UK charity working to provide essential healthcare services and uphold Palestinians’ rights to health and dignity.
“Those rights will only be fully realised when the political root causes of humanitarian needs – including occupation, forced exile and, in Gaza, genocide – are addressed.”
Talbot added: “Alongside our lifesaving medical work, we therefore undertake campaigning, advocacy and public communications in line with our core mission.
“This is common practice among charities working across a range of domestic and international issues.”
A DESNZ spokesperson declined to provide comment to Novara.
