A former advisor to Jeremy Corbyn has defended the “Palestine Poppy”. The enamel “Palestine Peace” badge was designed by NHS doctor Abdul Qader Ismail — who previously stated that Israel was a “cancer” — and listed on eBay for £1.78. Profits are said to be donated to charities working to “end the occupation and war crimes” in Gaza. James Schneider said during a discussion on GB News: “If people wish to remember people who have died in war, through different ways, that should be absolutely fine. I don’t think we should have a culture war over how we remember people who have died in the horrors of war, and I also don’t think that the symbol that we use to remember people who have died in war, who have died serving our country, should be used as a political stick, let’s say, to beat one group or another group. Let’s be a little bit more grown-up about it.”

He was then asked if he disagreed with the Palestine Poppy. Mr Schneider replied that he did not. When it was put to him that the symbol politicised remembrance, he said the people should be free to “remember also the dead that have fallen in Palestine in the last three years, through the genocide, as well as we remember those in previous wars”.

Former Attorney General, Sir Michael Ellis then disputed that there is a genocide taking place, adding that “surely” the Palestine poppy would be classed as cultural appropriation “if the shoe was on the other foot”. Sir Michael added that the poppy is “a 100-plus-year-old symbol of british and imperial war dead” to remember people, “very often young people, very young people, who fought and died for their King and country, and who gave their lives so that people who protest now can have the freedom to protest”.

The policitisation of the poppy should be “negatively viewed”, he also said, also mentioning that he is against the white poppy, which represents peace. “The fact is everyone is against war, almost nobody [wants war],” Sir Michael added. “Do you think the young men who died for their country in World War 1 and World War 2 were pro-war? Of course they weren’t pro-war.”

It comes as the annual remembrance service is set to take place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall tomorrow. Armed forces charity the Royal British Legion (RBL) has celebrated a record £1.7million being raised in its annual London Poppy Day, which this year was launched by EastEnders actor Ross Kemp.

The organisation, which also runs the national Poppy Appeal, said £1,703,851 was raised in the 20th edition of the event.

FURY AS JEREMY CORBYN’S EX-ADVISER DEFENDS ‘PALESTINE POPPY’ – REMEMBRANCE DAY ROW ERUPTS ACROSS BRITAIN

A heated political controversy has erupted after a former adviser to Jeremy Corbyn defended a controversial new badge known as the ‘Palestine Poppy’, prompting fierce reactions from politicians, veterans and members of the British public.

James Schneider, who previously worked as an adviser to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, defended the symbol during a discussion on GB News, arguing that people should be free to remember victims of war in different ways.

His comments have reignited an increasingly bitter debate about the meaning of Remembrance Day, the traditional red poppy and whether political causes should be associated with Britain’s national act of remembrance.

The controversy comes just days before the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, where thousands gather to honour members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in conflicts.

For many veterans and supporters of the Royal British Legion, the red poppy represents sacrifice, remembrance and gratitude towards those who served their country.

However, supporters of the Palestine Poppy argue that remembering victims of conflicts should not be restricted to one group of people.

James Schneider Defends the Controversial Badge

During his appearance on GB News, Schneider argued that people should be able to remember those who have died in wars without turning remembrance into a political confrontation.

He suggested that the traditional remembrance symbol should not be used as a political weapon against people who choose to express their sympathy for victims elsewhere in the world.

When asked whether he opposed the Palestine Poppy, Schneider made clear that he did not.

He argued that people should also be free to remember Palestinians killed during the conflict, alongside those who died in previous wars.

His comments immediately attracted criticism from those who believe the traditional poppy should remain separate from contemporary political campaigns.

Former Attorney General Sir Michael Ellis challenged Schneider during the discussion, questioning whether the alternative badge was appropriate given the historical significance of Britain’s remembrance symbol.

Ellis argued that the traditional poppy represents more than a general opposition to war. It commemorates those who served and died for Britain, including generations of young men and women who made enormous sacrifices.

What Exactly Is the Palestine Poppy?

The Palestine Poppy is an enamel badge featuring the colours of the Palestinian flag.

Its design uses black, white and green petals surrounded by red.

The badge was designed by NHS doctor Abdul Qader Ismail and has been advertised for approximately £1.78.

According to its supporters, the project aims to remember Palestinians who have died and raise awareness of the suffering caused by the conflict.

Profits are said to support charities and organisations working on Palestinian causes.

The badge is not an official Royal British Legion poppy, and proceeds do not support the Legion’s veterans’ services.

Supporters say the design provides an alternative way of expressing solidarity and remembering people affected by war.

Critics, however, argue that using a poppy-shaped design so closely associated with Britain’s Remembrance Day risks confusing the meaning of the traditional symbol.

Veterans React With Anger

The controversy has prompted strong reactions from former members of the British Armed Forces.

Military Cross recipient Trevor Coult has criticised the badge, arguing that it risks creating unnecessary division during a period traditionally dedicated to remembering Britain’s fallen.

He questioned why a symbol so closely associated with military remembrance should be used to promote a separate political cause.

Other veterans have also argued that Remembrance Sunday should remain focused on honouring those who served and supporting their families.

For many former service personnel, the red poppy carries deeply personal significance.

It represents friends, colleagues and fellow soldiers who never returned home.

They believe that introducing contemporary political disputes into the tradition risks changing the atmosphere of an occasion intended to bring communities together.

Sir Michael Ellis Challenges the Argument

Former Attorney General Sir Michael Ellis was particularly critical of the suggestion that the Palestine Poppy should be viewed as another way of remembering victims of war.

He argued that Britain’s traditional poppy has a history stretching back more than a century.

The symbol is closely associated with the First World War battlefields of Flanders and the enormous loss of life experienced during that conflict.

Ellis also questioned whether the same approach would be accepted if another political movement created an alternative badge using an established national symbol.

His intervention highlighted a central disagreement in the debate.

Should the poppy be considered a universal symbol of remembrance, or should its traditional British meaning remain protected from political reinterpretation?

The Royal British Legion Responds

The Royal British Legion has long organised the annual Poppy Appeal, raising money to support serving personnel, veterans and their families.

The organisation distributes millions of poppies and other remembrance merchandise every year.

Its position is that people are free to choose whether to wear different poppies.

However, the traditional red poppy remains central to its fundraising and remembrance activities.

This distinction is important because the Palestine Poppy is an independent initiative rather than an official product of the Royal British Legion.

The Legion’s traditional appeal supports British Armed Forces communities, while the alternative badge promotes a separate cause.

For members of the public, understanding where donations go is therefore essential.

Nigel Farage and Other Politicians Join the Debate

The controversy has also attracted criticism from prominent political figures.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has criticised the initiative, arguing that it demonstrates a lack of respect for Britain’s national traditions.

Other politicians have expressed concern that Remembrance Day is increasingly becoming a battleground for wider political disagreements.

The debate reflects broader divisions in British society over the Israel-Palestine conflict and the role of political activism in national commemorations.

Some believe that expressing solidarity with Palestinian civilians should be entirely acceptable.

Others argue that Remembrance Sunday should be kept separate from contemporary political campaigning.

Both positions have become increasingly vocal as the annual commemorations approach.

Why Remembrance Sunday Matters So Much

Remembrance Sunday is one of Britain’s most important annual national commemorations.

Every November, people across the country gather at war memorials, churches and public spaces to remember those who lost their lives in military service.

The national ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall is attended by members of the Royal Family, political leaders, veterans and representatives of the Armed Forces.

The traditional two-minute silence provides an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made during the First World War, Second World War and subsequent conflicts.

The red poppy became associated with remembrance because poppies grew across the devastated battlefields of Flanders following the First World War.

The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal began in 1921 and has since become an established part of British national life.

For many families, wearing the red poppy is a personal way of remembering relatives who served in the Armed Forces.

Is the Poppy Becoming Too Political?

The latest controversy has raised an important question about the future of Britain’s remembrance traditions.

Some argue that the traditional red poppy should remain a unifying national symbol, free from political campaigns.

Others believe remembrance should include people affected by conflicts around the world, regardless of nationality or political background.

There are also alternative remembrance symbols, including the white poppy, which represents peace and opposition to war.

The disagreement demonstrates how a single symbol can carry very different meanings for different communities.

For veterans, it may represent the memory of fallen comrades.

For campaigners, it may represent the suffering of civilians caught in modern conflicts.

For others, it represents a tradition that should be protected from political disputes.

A Controversy That Is Unlikely to Disappear

With Remembrance Sunday approaching, the debate surrounding the Palestine Poppy has become another flashpoint in Britain’s wider political divisions.

James Schneider believes people should be free to remember victims of different conflicts.

Critics believe that the traditional poppy should not be adapted to promote political causes.

The argument is likely to continue as politicians, veterans and members of the public express their views.

Ultimately, the controversy raises a fundamental question about remembrance, freedom of expression and national identity.

THE BIG QUESTIONS:

• Should the traditional red poppy remain separate from political campaigns?
• Is the Palestine Poppy a legitimate alternative expression of remembrance?
• Should people be free to commemorate victims of conflicts around the world?
• Are politicians making Remembrance Day unnecessarily divisive?
• What should the poppy represent to future generations?

Whatever people’s views, the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in war deserve to be remembered with dignity and respect.