A council in London decided it would not allow a chanukiah, meant to commemorate the eight days of Chanukah, to be displayed outside its town hall over fears it might provoke tensions in local communities, Jewish News reports.
The decision was made by a leader of the Havering Council in East London in light of the increased hate crimes and anti-Israel protests the world has seen amid the war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas.
A leaked email revealed that the council admitted making “the difficult decision to pause the planned installation of the Chanukah menorah outside Havering Town Hall this year.”
“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, our staff and local residents,” it added while warning about “possible vandalism or other action against the installation.”
The council stated they are concerned because of “an increase in the number of hate crimes” in the area they preside over specifically “both…
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