London council U-TURNS on decision to cancel annual Jewish ceremony to mark Hanukkah amid outcry

A London council has backtracked on its decision to cancel a planned Hanukkah ceremony, just 24 hours after warning the event could 'inflame tensions'.

Havering Council announced on Thursday that the annual Menorah lighting ceremony outside the town hall would be 'paused' over concerns that the nine-branch candelabrum would be vandalised.

The move provoked a backlash from leaders of both local Jewish and Muslim communities who expressed 'deep dismay' at the decision.

A joint statement between the council and local Rabbis confirmed the permanent installation would go ahead as planned on December 12, following a 'constructive discussion'.

Leader of Havering Council, Ray Morgon said: '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.'

The London Jewish Forum said yesterday that the council had shown a 'lack of understanding' and that the announcement had 'undermined' relationships with the community.

Following the council's reversal of its decision, it 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.'

In a video message, Rabbi Lee Sunderland from Romford and District Synagogue said it was 'relief' that the ceremony would take place.

He said: 'It's a great relief to us. The purpose of this festival is that everybody should actually be able to celebrate their own festivals or cultural customs freely or openly without any prejudice, barriers and that's what's happening now.'

He added that the council had 'come to the realisation' that the issues given for cancelling the occasion didn't exist.

Hanukkah is celebrated this year starting on December 7 and commemorates the revolt of the Maccabees - a group of Jews who fought to protect their faith 2,000 years ago. 

Heightened tensions have been felt across the capital since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as pro-Palestinian protests have taken place every weekend.

Last Sunday thousands marched in central London in a protest organised by Campaign Against Antisemitism, amid a spike in hate-crimes against the Jewish community.

Explaining its original decision on Thursday, Havering Council, which is controlled by the local residents' association with support from Labour, said in a statement: '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.'

Conservative MP for Romford Andrew Rosindell slammed the decision and blamed Havering Council for 'capitulating to terrorism'.