Hanukkah celebrations to go ahead as council U-turns after intense backlash

07 December 2023 , 13:49

531     0

A Hanukkah menorah will now be put up in a town centre following initial fears about anti-Semitic attacks, a council has decided (Image: AP)

A UK council was forced to do a U-turn after cancelling a Hanukkah event out of security fears.

Havering Council in Essex announced last month it would not longer be installing the Menorah outside its town hall over fears of the risk of vandalism due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza. The decision followed a huge spike in reports of anti-Semitic hate crimes since Hamas' ground offensive on October 7 which prompted Israel to carry out a series of devastating and fatal airstrikes which have killed thousands of Palestinians.

Councillors for Havering had initially feared the installation would "further inflame tensions within communities". But as Jews across the world mark the first day of the celebration today, the authority has now reversed on its decision, announcing the Menorah installation would go ahead.

The Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Ray Morgon, told the Mirror: “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.

Jewish leaders were delighted after the council announced a U-turn on the decision to install a menorah for Hannukah

“We also look forward to continuing to work closely with our Jewish community and other faiths on our commitment to a cohesive and inclusive borough.” Traditionally in Judaism, menorahs, or hanukiahs, are displayed throughout Hanukkah to display the nine candles for the eight days of the holiday, plus one extra to light them.

Labour MP makes gun reform plea and says laws needed to tackle incel violence

Fears over vandals destroying menorahs have caused others to be cancelled by a number of other authorities, with Norwich Council also initially axing theirs for this year before saying it would be displayed for one night instead, according to the Jewish Chronicle. The Community Security Trust said last month that it had recorded the highest 28-day total of hate crimes against the community since records began in 1984.

Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin MBE, Executive Director of Chabad North London & Essex, said of Havering's decision he was "absolutely delighted" at the U-turn. "The Essex Jewish community has proudly been displaying Menorahs for 35 years and this is our tenth and newest. We look forward to celebrating together with the entire Jewish community of Havering and beyond at our very special celebration on Tuesday 12 December.”

Daniella Myers, the Director of the London Jewish Forum, said: “The London Jewish Forum thanks the Council for meeting us at short notice, and for their careful consideration of our views. The London Jewish Forum was able to provide the wider picture, which had important implications beyond Havering.

"Our community has been listened to and as a result we are very pleased to say the planned installation of the Havering Menorah will be going ahead. We encourage all those who want to celebrate with the Havering Jewish community to join us on Tuesday 12 December.”

Daniel Rosenberg, Chair of the Essex Jewish Community Council, added: “Our community is delighted that this has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties and that our Menorah will be proudly displayed at Havering Town Hall for the duration of this important festival.”

Susie Beever