'Disgusting' woman caught ripping down Israeli hostage ribbons in shocking footage

A woman has been caught red-handed cutting down yellow ribbons remembering those taken hostage in Gaza.

The unidentified woman was filmed vandalising the memorial with scissors in Muswell Hill, London before she was confronted by passers-by.

Noticing the camera, she said: "You're not going to do this. I'm not committing a crime. "If I am, call the police and you let them know that you have an issue with this." The news of the confrontation comes as Israel-Hamas peace talks set to start in 24 hours as at least 12 die in fighting in Gaza.

She defends actions as row erupts

After being reprimanded for her "disgusting" defacing of the display, she responded: "I think condoning genocide is disgusting. That's what this is."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said its officers were reviewing the footage to determine whether any offence, including a hate crime or criminal damage, had been committed.

The yellow ribbon has become synonymous with the plight of those taken captive since its adoption during the 1979 US-Iranian hostage crisis.

Penne Laingen, the wife of US hostage Bruce Laingen, had suggested those wishing to show support for the hostages should tie a ribbon around a tree in a reference to the song Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree by Tony Orlando and Dawn.

Symbol's history stretches back decades

The song tells the story of a prisoner of war returning home from a confederate camp in Georgia, asking his lover to tie a yellow ribbon around a tree if she still wishes to be with him.

The ribbon has since been used in cases of missing people such as Madeleine McCann, in democracy protest movements and as a symbol of support for soldiers fighting overseas.

Miranda Levy, an author and freelance journalist, recorded the woman as she systematically dismantled the tributes on Fortis Green Road, north London.

She told The Telegraph: "I was walking to get a coffee, it was a lovely sunny day, and there was a woman very mechanically snipping away with a pair of scissors."

Jewish journalist confronts woman destroying tributes

Ms Levy, who is Jewish and has lived in north London for 20 years, confronted the woman by the railings at Princes Avenue Park at 10am on Monday, asking her what she was doing.

"I was angry, it is so insensitive," she said, particularly with the terror attack that unfolded at the Manchester synagogue last week and tomorrow's anniversary of the Oct 7 marauding rampage in Israel.

She added: "These ribbons are to remember people captured. Put up your own stuff but don't take ours down."

Ms Levy said the north London suburb had a large Jewish population but it was not the first time such defacing had happened.

Hostage relative slams repulsive act

Heidi Bachram, whose husband's relatives were murdered and taken hostage on Oct 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."

Iran-backed Hamas murdered more than 1,200 people and took a further 251 hostages during the Oct 7 attacks in 2023.

The terror group is believed to be holding 48 hostages, though only 20 are thought to be alive.

Police launch investigation into incident

A spokesman for the Met Police said: "At approximately 4:25pm on Monday, 6 October, 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."