Stunned onlookers watched on Monday as a woman was caught on camera cutting down yellow ribbons tied to the railings of a small park in Muswell Hill — placed there to remember the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is reviewing the footage to determine whether any offences were committed.
The yellow ribbon carries deep symbolic weight within the Jewish community. It has been embraced by families as part of the ‘Bring Them Home’ campaign and also holds a broader, universal meaning as a symbol of hope and homecoming.
Ms Levy, who has lived in London for two decades, told the Daily Mail she felt compelled to act, particularly being part of the Jewish community herself.
She said: “Sitting in the coffee shop after this altercation, my anger turned to sadness, then a tiny pop of fear.”
“For years, I told friends they were being paranoid when they said the UK ‘was no longer a place for Jews’.
“But in the past couple of years, I’ve started to think they have a point.”
Here’s everything we know about Nadia Yahlom.
Nadia Yahlom, who also goes by the name ‘Jaglom’, is a 32-year-old Arts Council-funded PhD student at the Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (Cream) at the University of Westminster.
According to Cream, Ms Yahlom is a “Palestinian-Jewish and British artist and visual anthropologist, looking at hauntedness, supernatural life and the bio/necropolitical between Palestine and the UKs.”
Her research examines the political relationship between Palestine and Britain, focusing on how “humans, artefacts and landscapes reverberate with colonial violence.”
Ms Yahlom has worked with Battersea Arts Centre, Rich Mix, ICA, Open City Docs, Tate Britain, Southbank Centre, and others.
She also founded the Sahra Collective, a group that specialises in “experimental art forms” from Palestine.
She previously studied at the University of Cambridge and Goldsmiths.
Who is Nadia Yahlom’s husband?
Ms Yaholm’s husband is a Palestinian actor and filmmaker, originally from the West Bank, who moved to London in 2011, according to reports.
What has the University said?
A spokesperson for the university told Jewish News: “Our values define who we are. At the University of Westminster, diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity are at the core of how we engage with students, colleagues, applicants, visitors and all our stakeholders.
“We are fully committed to enabling a supportive and safe learning and working environment which is equitable, diverse and inclusive, is based on mutual respect and trust, and in which harassment including antisemitism and discrimination are neither tolerated nor acceptable.
“As a University, we believe it is important that we nurture an environment in which all members of our community, including Jewish students and colleagues feel welcome, valued and supported. There is no place for any form of discrimination at our University.”
What has Met Police said?
Met Police has stepped up patrols in the Muswell Hill area following the incident on Monday and is reviewing the footage to see whether offences have been committed.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman 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 the ribbons in Muswell Hill, Haringey.
“Officers attended the location and are reviewing the footage to determine whether any offences, including hate crime or criminal damage, have been committed.
“Enquiries remain ongoing.”
The AHRC, University of Westminster and Ms Yahlom have been contacted by The Standard for comment.