A London council canceled plans to exhibit a Hanukkah menorah outside its town hall due to escalating tensions from the conflict in the Middle East, citing concerns over potential risks and hate crimes.
The decision was criticized by local MP Andrew Rosindell and the Campaign Against Antisemitism, who called it a “grave insult” and “cowardly,” respectively.
The council stated it does not take sides in the conflict and hopes to revisit the installation next year when community tensions have subsided. (Trending: Greta Thunberg Caught on Video Going Full Anti-Semite)
London cancels its annual Hanukkah Menorah event over “community tension concerns”
These aren’t “tensions”
One side wants to physically hurt the other on the streets of London pic.twitter.com/xgL1drqIwl
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 30, 2023
“The Council has taken the difficult decision to pause the planned installation of the Chanukah Menorah outside Havering Town Hall this year,” wrote the council in a statement.
“We appreciate this is a hugely sensitive issue but in light of escalating tensions from the conflict in the Middle East, installing the candelabra now will not be without risk to the Council, our partners, staff and local residents,” continued the group.
“We would also be concerned with any possible vandalism or other action against the installation,” wrote the council.
“There will still be a temporary installation and event to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah,” they explained.
“This will be taken down after the event and we will look at a longer-term installation next year,” revealed the group.
The Council claimed there was “an increase in the number of hate crimes in Havering, both towards the Jewish and Muslim community,” and “after consulting with the Leader of the Council, we believe it would be unwise to move forward with the installation which could risk further inflaming tensions within our communities.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism condemned the change as “cowardly.”
“At a time when nearly seven in 10 British Jews feel afraid to express their identity in public, this is a monumental dereliction of duty,” added the spokesperson.
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