Over 105,000 people march against antisemitism in London
Over 105,000 people marched in solidarity in London on Sunday, against antisemitism.
A town council in East London is ‘pausing’ the planned installation of the Hanukkah menorah outside the Havering Town Hall this year, calling it a "difficult" decision.
The London Borough of Havering announced in a statement on Thursday that the installation of the menorah has been delayed to avoid "possible vandalism or other action" against the city council and local residents.
"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. We would also be concerned with any possible vandalism or other action against the installation," Havering Council wrote in a statement.
The London Borough of Havering has previously erected a menorah outside town hall in recognition of Hanukkah. (iStock)
It explained, "The Council has taken the difficult decision to pause the planned installation of the Chanukah Menorah outside Havering Town Hall this year… There will still be a temporary installation and event to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah. This will be taken down after the event and we will look at a longer-term installation next year."
But, the statement added, "Due to an increase in the number of hate crimes in Havering, both towards the Jewish and Muslim communities 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 statement follows the Community Security Trust (CST) reporting that there have been 1,124 reported antisemitic incidents from Oct. 7 to Nov. 7, the largest number of incidents to occur within a month since the organization began keeping records in 1984.
Since the Hamas terror attack against Israel in October, there have also been massive pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrations.
Havering Council released a statement confirming that the installation of a menorah has been canceled. (Getty Images)
"When we started work on the installation no one could have foreseen the recent international events," the council acknowledged.
Local rabbis and political leaders have criticized the decision, but the council maintained this was not done as an act of antisemitism.
"Sadly, some are politicising this and making accusations of anti-Semitism. This is categorically untrue and such statements are likely to incite further unrest in our communities. The council flew the Israeli flag in solidarity following the heinous terrorist attack against the people of Israel and we continue to stand by our local Jewish communities," the statement read.
HUGE CROWD FILLS STREETS OF LONDON IN MARCH AGAINST ANTISEMITISM, SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested outside the Israeli Embassy on October 09, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Leila Dougan/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
Nevertheless, Romford Rabbi Lee Sunderland told Havering Daily, "This is an opportunity to stand up to the hostility that would silence Judaism or any form of diversity and celebrate it to its fullest. This may be a Jewish festival, but it is a lesson for the whole world and for every generation. Most especially, please let us celebrate this in public and begin to bring the citizens of Havering together now."
Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify that while the installation of the Hanukkah menorah will not go forward as originally planned, a "a temporary installation and event to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah" will be put up and then quickly taken down at the conclusion of the event.
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