Conflict in the middle
If you get mugged and beaten up in the street your birthday party will be cancelled.
No Hanukkah this year for Havering Council in London.
Havering Council, a municipality located in East London, announced today that the annual Hanukkah installation would not be taking place this year due to “conflict in the Middle East.”
In a statement, the council released: “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.”
You could argue that councils have no business putting up religious installations in the first place, but if you’re not doing that but just saying no to this one religion and set of people…well yes, that’s “a hugely sensitive issue.”
So, is this punishment of Jews because they are all tainted by and responsible for whatever the Israeli government does, or acknowledgement that fanatics will attack Jews because they are all tainted by and responsible for whatever the Israeli government does, and the council can’t afford security?
Depends on who they are talking to and what is most politically expedient.
It’s probably the second one… Needn’t be so cynical.