William Eichler 30 November 2023

Hanukkah installation paused due to rise in hate crime

Hanukkah installation paused due to rise in hate crime  image
Image: tomertu / Shutterstock.com.

The London borough of Havering has paused the installation of a Hanukkah Menorah in its town hall due to an increase in hate crimes relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The war between Israel and Hamas, and the upsurge in violence in the occupied West Bank, has led to an increase in anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim crimes in Havering.

Installing the candelabra now ‘will not be without risk to the council, our partners, staff and local residents,’ a council spokesperson said. The Hanukkah Menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

‘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,’ the spokesperson commented.

‘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.’

The spokesperson added: ‘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.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding - Bicester Banbury

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £47754
You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that children’s and their families’ voices are heard, and their needs are met. You will work with families using the FSP Workbook modules, and a strengths-based approach, ensuring the As Bicester
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Executive Director of Resources & Governance (S151 Officer)

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council

Executive Director of Homes, Communities & Environment

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council

Executive Director of Strategy, People & Transformation

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council
Linkedin Banner