Pro-Gaza activists have come under criticism for selling enamel pins resembling the traditional Remembrance Day poppy but featuring the colors of the Palestinian flag. The pins, marketed online for £1.78 and sold as "Palestine poppies," raise funds for charities and organizations aimed at ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

Designed as a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians, the pins have been described by their creators as an "anti-apartheid symbol" intended to highlight unity with what they call the "beleaguered, oppressed, and occupied people of Palestine." A video on the product’s website features the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," a phrase widely interpreted as calling for the elimination of Israel, which has sparked controversy.

Among the groups benefiting from the proceeds is Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA), an organization that describes itself as an NGO advocating political change in Palestine. A 2024 report commissioned by the UK Home Office characterized FOA as a "far-Left and Islamist" group and noted that it was prohibited from participating in a fringe event at last month’s Labour Party conference. The same report highlighted Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s visit to Gaza, where she met Ismail Haniyeh, former leader of Hamas, and acknowledged the killing of an Israeli tour guide, praising the assailant as a "martyr."

Critics have accused the activists of attempting to "hijack" the Remembrance Day symbol, which is traditionally worn to honor British and Commonwealth military personnel who have died in conflict. Stuart Fawcett, a former Royal Navy officer and current Labour councillor, described the red, white, green, and black pins as a deliberate attempt to co-opt a national emblem of resistance.

Lt Col Stuart Crawford, a former Army officer and defense analyst, called the Palestine poppy an effort to "ride on the coat-tails of the familiar red poppy." Speaking to GB News, he emphasized that the traditional Remembrance poppy is "apolitical" and serves to unite people in commemorating those who made the ultimate sacrifice. In contrast, he said, the Palestine poppy is "unashamedly political" and "designed to divide rather than unite."

David Reed, shadow defense minister, condemned the initiative as disrespectful to the memory of fallen service members. He asserted that politicizing the symbol "is the greatest disrespect we can show" and indicated he would confront individuals wearing the badge. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, echoed these sentiments on social media, stating that the campaigners "have no respect for our country."

The red poppy has been used by the Royal British Legion since 1921 to honor those who served in the Armed Forces. The Legion maintains that it is a "non-partisan and non-sectarian organization" dedicated to commemorating all affected by military service, regardless of the political context of conflicts. The sale of Palestine-themed poppies ahead of Remembrance Day has intensified debate over the boundaries of political expression in the context of national remembrance.