Expenditure and authorisation of Palestinian and Israeli Flags: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
Please provide the following information for the period 1 January 2024 to 5 September 2025:
1. The total expenditure by the Scottish Government on purchasing or displaying Palestinian flags. This should include, but not be limited to, the Palestinian flags that were raised in front of Scottish Government buildings such as St Andrew’s House and Victoria Quay.
2. The total expenditure by the Scottish Government on purchasing or displaying Israeli flags.
3. Copies of any recorded information (including authorisations, correspondence, meeting notes, or internal communications) relating to the decision to raise Palestinian or Israeli flags at Scottish Government buildings, including St Andrew’s House and Victoria Quay.
Response
1. The total expenditure by the Scottish Government on purchasing or displaying Palestinian flags. This should include, but not be limited to, the Palestinian flags that were raised in front of Scottish Government buildings such as St Andrew’s House and Victoria Quay.
Two Palestinian flags were purchased by the Scottish Government at a total cost of £839.04, inclusive of VAT.
2. The total expenditure by the Scottish Government on purchasing or displaying Israeli flags.
The Scottish Government has not purchased any Israeli flags for display on SG buildings.
3. Copies of any recorded information (including authorisations, correspondence, meeting notes, or internal communications) relating to the decision to raise Palestinian or Israeli flags at Scottish Government buildings, including St Andrew’s House and Victoria Quay.
We have released relevant information found under scope, which is attached to the covering email.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information under this part of your request because an exemption under section 30(b)(ii) (the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation) applies to it. The reasons for applying this exemption are set out below. An exemption under section 36(1) of FOISA (confidentiality in legal proceedings) applies to some of the information requested because it is legal advice and disclosure would breach legal professional privilege.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG