Gym-goer asked to remove 'Free Palestine' T-shirt

Jasvinder Khosa said he hoped his T-shirt would provoke "open discussion"

A gym-goer claims he was asked to remove his 'Free Palestine' T-shirt during a workout after another customer said it was "offensive".

Jasvinder Khosa, 64, said he had worn the T-shirt for the past five years without issue but, on 15 January, a member of staff at the Virgin Active in Nether Edge, Sheffield, asked him to take it off.

The retired teacher said it was his "right" to wear the shirt, which also calls for a boycott on Israel on the reverse, but that it was not his intention to "upset" anyone.

Virgin Active said "political or socially charged messaging" was not permitted in its gyms "to ensure we create an environment where all members feel welcome and comfortable".

The retired teacher says he's been wearing the T-shirt at the Virgin Active gym for five years

As well as the words on the reverse, Mr Khosa's T-shirt also features an image of a missile over a pram.

Originally from Ireland, Mr Khosa suffered a stroke 30 years ago which required three brain operations and left the right side of his body severely weakened. He works out regularly to build up his strength.

"The gym not only exercises my body but is really good for my mental health," he said.

Describing himself as "strongly against" Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories, he said his intention was not to "upset" people.

"I want people to come up to me and have an open discussion.

"People have stopped me before and said 'good on you'. I've gone for coffee with other people and talked about this stuff.

"Ultimately, it's my right to wear this T-shirt."

According to Virgin Active's club rules', users "must be dressed in suitable attire at all times when on club premises" and "the Club General Manager may, at his/her/their discretion, require you to leave a Club or part of a Club premises, if your attire is not considered suitable".

A spokesperson said Mr Khosa had been spoken to in relation to the issue and that he "kindly took on board the information".

Israel occupied the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank in 1967. In the 1990s a series of agreements ended with around 80% of Gaza being handed to the Palestinian Authority to administer.

In 2005, Israel unilaterally completed the withdrawal of all its troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip. Israel retains control of airspace, seafront and vehicle access as well as crossing points in and out of the territory except for the Rafah crossing, which is administered by Egypt.

In October 2023 gunmen from Hamas – which runs Gaza and is designated a terrorist organisation by the UK government – launched attacks on southern Israel killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

In reprisal, Israel launched air strikes and a ground invasion of Gaza with the aim of eliminating Hamas. More than 45,000 people have been killed in the Israeli campaign according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

A ceasefire has been in place since earlier this month, with some Israeli hostages being exchanged for Palestinian detainees.

Mr Khosa admitted that he "doesn't know" whether he will wear the T-shirt at the gym again, especially if Virgin Active threaten to take away his membership

"I need to come here and do my stretching so I need to have a good think about this," he said.

The BBC has approached Virgin Active for a comment but has not yet received a response.

Clarification 3 February 2025: This article was amended to add extra context.

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