How dare pro-Gaza activists hijack Remembrance Day with their Palestine poppies

Why would this Government give permission for Palestinian activists to take to the streets at a time this country is united in remembering and honouring the brave men and women who laid down their lives fighting to keep us safe from the clutches of the Nazis?

Another demonstration on Remembrance Day – or any protest in the lead-up to it – would be the ultimate insult to our war dead, as it would effectively allow protesters to spit on and disrespect our national heritage and Remembrance Day traditions.

According to the group behind these poppies – which are the black, red, green and white colours of the Palestinian flag – the poppies are "a symbol of solidarity and remembrance of the ongoing struggle of the Palestinian people and their fight for justice".

Well, as these Palestinian supporters have been staging protests almost every week for the last two and a half years about the “ongoing struggle and the fight for justice", we really do not need any more reminding.

But we do need reminding about those Britons who are still struggling in the aftermath of war.

There are veterans out there who are in deep financial trouble, who are homeless, and who have mental health issues. We need the money to help them.

And the Royal British Legion, with its Poppy Appeal, does exactly that.

These veterans served their country with courage, but many are too proud to ask for help.

However, we have a duty to help find them and look after them. It is what a civilised country does.

And I, for one, resent any attempts to take money away from that cause because if we are talking about noble causes here, looking after our war dead and damaged is the most noble.

Or does their struggle not count with Palestinian protestors?

Is it only the war dead and damaged 2,500 miles away that count?

Palestinian protest groups should be free to raise funds – just not now in the weeks leading to Remembrance Sunday.

Of course, their mission is not just about raising money.

It is about causing the maximum disruption and distress.

It is to pee on our traditions, mock our grief, disrespect our war dead, and unpick our heritage.

The Royal British Legion is and always has been an apolitical organisation.

It has never been about politics or making a point or shoving their beliefs in people’s faces.

It simply exists to support and raise money for the casualties of war.

The people behind these Palestinian Poppies want to divert time, money and attention away from that.

I would like to say – shame on them.

Although I do not think they would understand the meaning of the word.