A Palestinian-Jewish PhD student was filmed cutting down ribbons remembering those taken hostage in Gaza. Nadia Yahlom used scissors to vandalise the memorial in Muswell Hill, north London, at around 10am on Monday (October 6).
She was confronted by passers-by at Princes Avenue Park who began to film her cutting the yellow ribbons, which have become synonymous with the plight of those in captivity since their adoption during the US-Iranian hostage crisis in 1979. Ms Yahlom insisted she was “not committing a crime” before adding: “I think condoning genocide is disgusting. That’s what this is.” The Metropolitan Police confirmed its officers were reviewing the footage to determine whether any offence had been committed.
As reported by The Telegraph, it has now been revealed that Ms Yahlom is an Arts Council-funded PhD student at the Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (Cream) at the University of Westminster. She also studies at Cambridge University and Goldsmiths.
Her bio for Cream Westminster states: “Nadia Dina Yahlom is a Palestinian-Jewish and British artist and visual anthropologist, looking at hauntedness, supernatural life and the bio/necropolitical between Palestine and the UK. Her research and practice considers how humans, artefacts and landscapes reverberate with colonial violence.”
Ms Yahlom was confronted by Miranda Levy, who is Jewish and has lived in north London for 20 years, who asked her what she was doing. Ms Levy said: “I was angry, it is so insensitive.
She added: “These ribbons are to remember people captured. Put up your own stuff but don’t take ours down.”
Meanwhile, Heidi Bachram, whose husband’s relatives were murdered and taken hostage on October 7, described the cutting down of the ribbons as “repulsive”.
She said: “Pro-Pal cut down yellow ribbons in London and justified her repulsive act by saying they “condone genocide”.
“This is where lies lead. To dehumanise innocent hostages who are being starved and tortured in terror tunnels. Manchester didn’t make them pause at all.”
A spokesman for the Met Police said: “At approximately 4.25pm on Monday, October 6, officers were made aware of a video circulating online which appears to show a woman removing ribbons from fence poles in Muswell Hill, Haringey.
“Officers have attended the location and are currently reviewing the footage to determine whether any offences, including hate crime or criminal damage, have been committed. Enquiries remain ongoing.”
The incident came as Israel and Hamas negotiators met for talks on Donald Trump’s peace plan. However, hopes for a ceasefire remain on a knife-edge after at least 12 people died in fighting in Gaza over the weekend.
Hamas, which the UK Government recognises as a terror group, killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages on October 7, 2023. They are still believed to be holding 48 hostages, with only 20 thought to be alive.