Pro-Gaza activists have been accused of trying to “hijack” Remembrance Day by selling Palestine poppies.

The enamel pin, shaped like a traditional poppy but in the colours of the Palestinian flag, can be bought for £1.78 on eBay, with profits donated to organisations and charities “working to end the occupation” of Palestinian territories.

Its creators say it is as an “anti-apartheid symbol” designed to show “unity with the beleaguered, oppressed, and occupied people of Palestine”.

The pin’s website features a video using the controversial slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, widely interpreted as calling for the destruction of Israel. One of the charities to which profits are donated is Friends of al-Aqsa, according to its website.

The group, which calls itself an NGO “demanding political change for Palestine”, was described in a 2024 report commissioned by the Home Office as a “far-Left and Islamist” organisation. It was banned from a fringe event at the Labour conference in September after a backlash.

The same report noted that Ismail Patel, the organisation’s founder, previously visited Ismail Haniyeh, the former Hamas leader, in Gaza, and praised him as a “martyr”. ‘Designed to divide rather than unite’Stuart Fawcett, a former Royal Navy officer turned Labour councillor, said the red, white, green and black pins were an attempt to “hijack our national symbol of resistance”.

Lt Col Stuart Crawford, a former Army officer and defence analyst, told GB News the design was an effort to “ride on the coat-tails of the familiar red poppy”.

He said: “The Remembrance poppy is apolitical despite what some people might say, and commemorates our war dead by bringing people together in the act of remembrance.

“The so-called ‘Palestine Poppy’ is about as far away from remembrance as it’s possible to be. It is unashamedly political, designed to divide rather than unite.”David Reed, the shadow defence minister, said: “The greatest disrespect we can show to those who sacrificed their lives for us is to turn their remembrance into a political battleground. The fallen deserve our gratitude, not our agendas.

“This must not go unchallenged. I will be making sure to tell anyone I see wearing this badge exactly what I think, and I implore others to do the same.”‘No respect for our country’Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, posted on X: “These people have no respect for our country.”The Royal British Legion (RBL) red poppy, introduced after the First World War in 1921, is worn to respect British and Commonwealth Armed Forces.

The RBL says it is a “non-partisan and non-sectarian organisation”, which commemorates all those affected by service in the Armed Forces “without considering the politics of conflict”.

The millions of pounds raised by the RBL’s poppy appeal each year go towards supporting veterans and their families.

Last week, pro-Palestine demonstrators trampled over poppy wreaths and scaled a Battle of Britain monument.

At least 20 people were arrested, including one woman alleged to have given a Nazi salute to nearby Israeli counter protesters. ‘Utterly shameful’Heidi Bachram, who had Jewish family members murdered and taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct 7 attacks, said targeting the memorial was “shameful”.

She said: “Wreaths lie broken and smashed at the feet of the monument dedicated to those brave warriors who defended us against the Nazis. Utterly shameful.”An RBL spokesman said: “The Royal British Legion’s two-petal poppy logo is a registered trademark. RBL’s red poppy is a symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.

“Importantly the red poppy raises funds to support our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families whatever the need whenever it is needed.”The Telegraph has approached the creators for comment.