U-turn for London Council that cancelled lighting Hanukkah candles

Posted on : December 2, 2023
U-turn for London Council that cancelled lighting Hanukkah candles

Embarrassing U-turn for London council that was slammed by Jewish groups after it cancelled lighting Hanukkah candles over fears it would would ‘inflame tensions’ between Israel and Palestine supporters

  • Havering Council has backtracked on the decision following a meeting this week 

A council has been forced into an embarrassing U-turn after cancelling plans to light Hanukkah candles over fears it could ‘inflame tensions’.

Havering Council backtracked on its decision not to erect a menorah outside its town hall following widespread condemnation from Jewish groups and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Following a meeting between council leaders and Jewish groups yesterday, the council announced that it now intends to ‘proceed with the permanent installation of the menorah as originally planned’.

The east London council previously warned that the menorah ‘could risk further inflaming tensions within our communities’ amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Responding to the initial decision to cancel menorah’s installation to mark the upcoming Jewish festival, the London Jewish Forum accused Havering Council of letting ‘antisemites dictate council policy’.

Havering Council backtracked on its decision not to erect a menorah outside its town hall (pictured) following widespread condemnation from Jewish groups and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

The east London council previously warned that the menorah ‘could risk further inflaming tensions within our communities’ amid the Israel-Hamas conflict (Stock Image) 

They added: ‘No one should be heard to suggest that the response of the Jewish community should be to hide away and cancel the public display of the season’s key Jewish symbol.’

Leader of Havering Council, Ray Morgan, said last night: ‘We had a very constructive meeting to discuss our concerns and I fully appreciate why this is such an important installation for our Jewish community.

‘We look forward to the completion of the permanent installation and our first Chanukah ceremony.

The scandal comes amid record high levels of antisemitism in London, with at least 1,747 antisemitic incidents recorded in the UK since the October 7 massacre.

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