Jihadists on tapestry honouring Gaza’s dead

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 11, 2026

A tapestry commemorating casualties from the Gaza conflict, set to be shown at Leeds Minster, has sparked criticism due to the inclusion of names linked to banned terrorist groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The display’s organizers have removed those names from the minster exhibit, but the controversy raises concerns about how memorials address victims with connections to proscribed organizations within a Church of England setting.

A tapestry commemorating those killed in the Gaza conflict is set to be displayed at Leeds Minster, drawing criticism over the inclusion of names linked to designated terrorist groups. The Church of England faces scrutiny after parts of the tribute reportedly referenced members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Hamas, both banned organizations in the United Kingdom.

The fabric artwork, which lists names of individuals who have died in the Gaza conflict since October 2023, was reviewed by media ahead of its public showing at Leeds Minster on Monday. Analysis identified at least 12 individuals associated with PIJ and one linked to Hamas, including figures described in social media posts as commanders and deputy commanders within these groups’ military units.

Mary Evers, the organizer of the Stitch Their Names project responsible for the tapestry, stated that the panels presented at Leeds Minster would exclude the names of those allegedly affiliated with terrorist organizations. Evers explained that the entire body of work is too extensive for a single venue, and that the exhibition at the minster represents only a portion of the larger piece. She added that she was unaware of the controversy until contacted by journalists.

Canon Paul Maybury, Rector of Leeds, who will officially open the exhibition, described the display as a sober memorial to “the many lives of adults and children killed in Gaza since October 2023.” The exhibition is intended to highlight the human cost of the conflict that has taken place in the region.

However, concerns have been raised about the potential implications of exhibiting such material within a Church of England setting. Lord Walney, a former government adviser on political violence, warned that including names of members of proscribed terrorist organizations could expose the church to allegations of supporting criminal activity. He expressed hope that the rector was unaware of the presence of such names, emphasizing the seriousness of associating a religious institution with groups outlawed under British law.

The controversy touches on broader debates surrounding how memorials and public statements address complex conflicts, particularly when victims include individuals linked to armed groups designated as terrorist entities. The Church has not issued a formal response beyond the statements from the exhibition’s organizers. The display at Leeds Minster continues as planned, featuring selected panels from the larger tapestry project.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.