A controversial pro-Palestinian mural has been defaced with new slogans and graffiti as watermelons are painted over the faces of celebrated journalists.
Photos show the melons painted over the faces on the 'Heroes of Palestine' mural in Silver Street in Lowesmoor, Worcester.
The mural, on private land and there with the owner's consent, is legal and does not breach any planning regulations.
Slogans have also been painted on the mural including 'none of us are free until all of us are free' and 'individually we are one drop, together we are an ocean' and 'from the river to the sea' with a heart symbol.
The mural appeared in Silver Street in March and honours the ‘heroes of Palestine’ - journalists Lama Jamous and Noor Harazeen, who have risked their lives to show the world what is happening in Gaza.
We have previously reported how police issued a photo of a man wanted in connection with graffiti on the mural in Silver Street, Lowesmoor, defaced on Saturday, August 3.
However, it is understood that this latest graffiti has appeared since this earlier incident and police have been approached for more details.
The artwork in Lowesmoor was created amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza - which has seen protests around the world.
Francis Lankester, 67, a former city councillor, found the graffiti and said the original mural is 'provocative'.
The former Conservative (now independent) said he believed Worcester City Council was in difficulties because, after taking independent legal advice, the mural was classified as street art.
Mr Lankester, a former teacher, said this was not the same type of street art as other murals in the city, such as the Battle of Worcester mural in London Road which was 'all about love and peace and local history' and inspired by 'a war that no longer exists'.
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"We have got to the point where it is causing harm. We have got to the point where we have reached farce" he said.
He added: "My point is that the council cannot hide behind this independent legal advice, even if it's completely right, because it has a duty to uphold community cohesion, community respect, community peace."
Lynn Denham, leader of Worcester City Council, said: "The original mural appears to have been subjected to more than one incident of damage or graffiti. I understand that police investigations are on-going. The city council is reviewing the legal implications of the extensive cumulative changes which have occurred to the previously authorised painting."
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