Qatar school apologises for mistakenly flying Israeli flag

A Qatar-based school apologised for raising an Israeli flag between a display of world flags, after parents complaints.

The private British school was on the receiving end of a backlash when parents saw the controversial flag hung in the main hall of Doha College West Bay.  

Qatar's ministry of education and higher education said the school had "conveyed its apology for any discomfort it caused", according to a tweet sent by the ministry.

Flags of all UN member nations were displayed "in a celebratory gesture for the new academic year. Israel's flag was displayed as a mistake and it was taken down".

The school's principal Dr. Steffen Sommer said the bunting was removed immediately and the ministry of education have have accepted the situation, Gulf News reported.

Qatar and Israel do not have diplomatic ties however similar cultural misunderstandings have sparked similar debates in the Gulf state.

In April, pro-Palestinian activists cried foul when an Israeli volleyball team took part in a tournament in Qatar, while the event was celebrated by Tel Aviv for "making history".

In 2013, Qatari authorities substituted a totally white flag in place of the Israeli flag during the official broadcast of the swimming championship.

The following year, however, the Israeli flag was displayed at the Qatari tournament.