Havering Council has u-turned on its decision not to light Hanukkah candles over concerns it could “inflame tensions”.
Officials at the east London town hall had said it would be “unwise” for the traditional menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday, to be installed outside Havering Town Hall in Romford.
The council said the event may risk “inflaming tensions within our communities”, sparking criticism from Jewish community leaders that it was a “miserable decision”.
But on Friday afternoon, the council made a hasty u-turn.
Council leader Cllr Ray Morgon said the change in heart came after a meeting with local Jewish community leaders.
“We look forward to the completion of the permanent installation and our first Chanukah ceremony,” said Mr Morgon.
“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.”
Daniel Rosenberg, Chair of the Essex Jewish Community Council, said in a statement released via the council’s press office: “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.”
The council had previously claimed that Menorah installation could heighten tensions due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
“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,” a spokesperson previously said.
But religious leaders had questioned why the Jewish religious celebration could not go ahead as planned.
The u-turn means the planned event on December 12 will go ahead as originally proposed.
