POSTERS advocating terrorism have appeared near a college and a mosque in Waltham Forest – fuelling fears that extremists are using the Gaza crisis to recruit young people.

Dr Usama Hassan, imam of the Al-Tawhid Mosque, spotted a poster saying “Jihad is the only solution” opposite Leyton Sixth Form College in Essex Road and another calling on Muslims to “rise up against Britain” close to his mosque in Leyton High Road.

He removed both posters, saying: “We are making a lot of progress in combating extremism. The failed plots and convictions have made people see the complete stupidity of it all.

"But the Gaza crisis has the potential to undo a lot of the good progress we have made."

"Some people think it is cool to be a gangster, and for some people being a terrorist is the ultimate gangster."

He also said that the economic climate has made people insecure and poor, which could also play into the extremists' hands as people are more likely to want to blame others for their plight.

Dr Hassan, was among a group of community leaders who met senior cabinet ministers, including foreign secretary David Milliband and communities secretary Hazel Blears, this week.

The imam wants to see stronger words from the UK Government and he believes the possibility of expelling Israeli diplomats from the UK should be considered.

The Arab Peace Initiative, a plan which would see Israel withdraw to its 1967 borders, release Palestinian prisoners and see Israel recognised as a sovereign state, would be a potential solution to the long-running crisis, according to Dr Hassan.

He also praised Leyton & Wanstead MP Harry Cohen for his strong condemnation Israel's actions, saying a Jewish MP criticising Israel sends a "powerful" message to some extremists, who talk about a war between Muslims and non-Muslims.