Veterans condemn sale of politically-charged "Palestine Poppy" as misuse of remembrance symbol

A newly created "Palestine Poppy" bearing the colours of the Palestinian flag and the phrase "from the river to the sea" is being sold on eBay for £1.74, with more than 1,200 units purchased so far. The group behind the poppy describes it as a symbol of unity with the "beleaguered, oppressed, and occupied people of Palestine" and directs part of the revenue to charities such as Friends of Al-Aqsa and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians.

British veterans, including Lt Sgt Stuart Crawford and former Royal Navy officer Stuart Fawcett, have condemned the product, accusing it of hijacking the traditional red remembrance poppy and politicising a symbol meant to be apolitical. Friends of Al-Aqsa has previously been barred from Labour's conference and its chair Ismail Patel has expressed support for Hamas. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians was ordered to pay legal costs after a dismissed case against a dual British-Israeli man. The Royal British Legion reiterated that the red poppy supports armed forces and veterans, while noting individuals may choose alternative symbols.