A woman in Muswell Hill was caught removing yellow ribbons supporting Israeli hostages, igniting community outrage amid rising tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict. The incident highlights emotional divisions and ongoing security concerns for Jewish communities in the UK.
A distressing incident unfolded in Muswell Hill, London, where a woman was filmed cutting down yellow ribbons tied to railings as a tribute to Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza. The footage, recorded at Princes Avenue Park, captured the woman systematically removing the ribbons with scissors before being confronted by onlookers. When challenged, the woman defended her actions, claiming that the ribbons “condone genocide,” remarks that sparked outrage among those present and online.
The yellow ribbon carries a deeply symbolic history, originally gaining prominence during the 1979 US-Iranian hostage crisis as a sign of solidarity with captives. The symbol was popularised by the song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” which tells of a prisoner of war’s return. Since then, the ribbon has been widely used to show support for missing persons, soldiers overseas, and more recently, the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the brutal attacks on October 7, 2023. The ribbons in Muswell Hill were part of a community memorial, reflecting the large local Jewish population’s ongoing grief and hope for those held prisoner.
The woman’s removal of the ribbons drew condemnation from residents and activists alike. Miranda Levy, a Jewish journalist who recorded the act, described it as “so insensitive,” especially in light of recent terror attacks such as the one at the Manchester synagogue that had occurred shortly before the incident. She emphasised the emotional significance of the ribbons, imploring the woman to “put up your own stuff but don’t take ours down.” This act of vandalism is not isolated; similar incidents have provoked tensions in other London neighbourhoods. For example, in June 2025, a video emerged showing individuals removing yellow ribbons from lampposts in a Jewish area of London, while in May 2025 anti-Israel protesters in Swiss Cottage took down ribbons that they claimed symbolised “Jewish supremacy.”
The ribbons also serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing trauma faced by the hostages’ families. Heidi Bachram, whose relatives were killed and taken hostage in the October 7 attacks, described the cutting down of ribbons as “repulsive.” She highlighted how such acts of vandalism are attempts to dehumanise the victims, who are believed to be starving and suffering in terror tunnels controlled by Hamas. Official estimates indicate that Hamas murdered over 1,200 people and took around 251 hostages during the attacks, with only about 20 of the captives thought to still be alive.
The London Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation after being made aware of the video showing the ribbon removal. Officers are reviewing the footage to determine whether any offences, including hate crimes or criminal damage, have been committed. This inquiry reflects a broader concern about the security and well-being of Jewish communities in the UK, who have faced multiple incidents of anti-Semitic vandalism amid the heightened tensions related to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
The significance of the yellow ribbon continues to resonate not only in the UK but across affected regions. In Jerusalem, for instance, an incident in September 2024 saw Palestinians attempting to enter the city disguised as Jews, displaying yellow ribbons to symbolise solidarity with the hostages, highlighting the complex political and security challenges entwined with the symbol.
Public expressions of support for the hostages have been widespread. Tens of thousands participated in marches across London in mid-2024, calling for the release of those held captive by Hamas. These rallies have been marked by Israeli flags, yellow ribbons, and calls to “bring them home,” underscoring a community united in solidarity and concern for the hostages’ fates.
The act of cutting down the yellow ribbons in Muswell Hill starkly contrasts with these demonstrations of support. It exemplifies the deep divisions and animosities that have surfaced alongside the ongoing conflict and highlights the emotional and symbolic battlegrounds that public memorials and gestures of solidarity can become.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The incident of yellow ribbons being cut down in London Jewish neighborhoods was reported earlier, notably by Israel Hayom on June 3, 2025. ([israelhayom.com](https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/06/03/yellow-ribbons-for-hostages-cut-down-in-london-jewish-neighborhood/?utm_source=openai)) The Express article appears to be a republished version of this earlier report, with no significant new information or updates. This suggests the content is recycled, which may affect its freshness score. Additionally, the Express article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quotes attributed to Miranda Levy and Heidi Bachram in the Express article are not found in the earlier Israel Hayom report. This suggests that these quotes may be original to the Express article. However, without independent verification, the authenticity of these quotes cannot be confirmed, raising concerns about their originality.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
The Express is a UK-based tabloid newspaper known for sensationalist reporting. While it has a large readership, its credibility is often questioned due to its history of publishing unverified or exaggerated stories. This raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented in the article.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The incident described in the article aligns with previous reports of yellow ribbons being removed in London Jewish neighborhoods, such as the one reported by Israel Hayom on June 3, 2025. The involvement of individuals carrying a ladder and scissors to remove the ribbons is plausible and consistent with the earlier report. However, the Express article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The Express article appears to be a recycled version of earlier reports, lacking significant new information or updates. The quotes attributed to Miranda Levy and Heidi Bachram are not found in the earlier Israel Hayom report, raising concerns about their originality. The source’s reliability is questionable due to the Express’s history of sensationalist reporting. While the incident described is plausible and consistent with previous reports, the lack of new information and the questionable reliability of the source lead to a ‘FAIL’ verdict with medium confidence.
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