Traditional annual Jewish holiday candles lit every year by London council to mark Hanukkah have been cancelled amid fears divisions over the Israel and Palestine conflict would mean they would ‘inflame tensions’

An annual ceremony to mark the traditional Jewish holiday of Hanukkah has been cancelled by a London council due to fears it would ‘inflame tensions’ amid increasing Israel and Palestine divisions. 

Havering Council in east London said they took the ‘difficult decision’ to cancel the traditional menorah instillation out of fears it would be vandalised. 

The nine-branched candelabrum instillation was usually lit to mark the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah outside Havering Town Hall in Romford.

It comes amid rising tensions Israel and Palestine conflict which has seen numerous protests being held across the capital. 

There has also been a rise in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic attacks.

The instillation which hosts the menorah ceremony will not go ahead due to council fears it would ‘inflame tensions’

The nine-branched candelabrum is lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Pictured: The menorah in Trafalgar square being lit back in 2019

There have been numerous protests recently in London. Pictured: Tens of thousands gather for the anti-semitism march on November 26, 2023 in London

In a statement, Havering Council wrote: ‘The Council has taken the difficult decision to pause the planned installation of the Chanukah Menorah outside Havering Town Hall this year. 

‘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.

‘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.’

They continued: ‘However, due to 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.

‘When we started work on the installation no one could have foreseen the recent international events and we have been fully committed to installing the candelabra with a number of council teams working to support it.

‘Sadly, there are some who 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.

‘However, while the war is ongoing we feel we must postpone the planned installation. This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we will revisit next year when we hope that community tensions will have subsided.

A recent anti antisemitism march attracted 60,000 people. Pictured: Protesters wave Israeli flags and hold photos of people held hostage by Palestinian militant group Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government reached a deal to continue the ceasefire earlier today

There have been numerous pro-Palestine marches recently in London. Pictured: Thousand of people attend the pro-Palestine march on November 25

‘Havering Council does not take sides in the current conflict and regrets the loss of life, injury and distress on both sides.

‘We have informed our community and faith partners and will continue to provide support to all our communities and work with the local Police to ensure that everyone feels safe in Havering.’

Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas reached a deal earlier today to continue the ceasefire an effort to free the remaining hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that ‘a short time ago, Israel was given a list of women and children in accordance with the terms of the agreement, and therefore the truce will continue.’

The announcement followed a last-minute standoff earlier today, with Hamas saying Israel had rejected a proposed list that included seven living captives and the remains of three who the group said were killed in previous Israeli airstrikes. 

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