El Al passengers in UK who were on their way to catch their flight back to Tel Aviv felt intimidated by this display of badges on the lanyards of the security staff. Two of the staff were also wearing watermelon badges – these days a symbol for Palestinian solidarity and “resistance”.

One of the passengers remarked “The people responsible for making sure terrorists don’t blow up aeroplanes were wearing badges that identify with terrorists.” A passenger complained and eventually the five security staff were moved and replaced by others, and their badges were taken.