The London borough originally decided against removing Palestinian flags that have been hung on lampposts and in high streets, citing the decision would “destabilise community cohesion," per The Times.
However, Tower Hamlets reversed course following protests and legal threats from UK Lawyers for Israel. The group issued a warning, stating that many Jewish residents were upset by the flags, with some even thinking about moving out of the community.
Lawyers are also reported to have issued a warning that provocative posters and stickers, together with giant Palestinian flags flown atop lampposts, may incite violence against Jews.
On Wednesday, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, issued a formal announcement that all Palestinian flags would be removed from council-owned property.
Rahman refuted the accusation that the flags represented "symbols of division" and maintained that their purpose would “further the Islamophobic narrative.”
"[The flags] are symbols of solidarity and sympathy for those enduring extreme suffering in Gaza. We must not forget that over 30,000 people have now been killed, 70 percent of whom are women and children. The flags certainly had an impact and made residents’ views clear.”
"Although these flags are an understandable expression of solidarity, I now feel they are being used to unfairly attack the people of the borough and further the Islamophobic narrative," said the mayor.
Tower Hamlets has the highest percentage of Muslims (39.9 percent) of any local area in London, according to the 2021 census.
While Rahman warned about an alleged recent rise in Islamaphobia, he acknowledged that there has also been “a rise in antisemitism and other forms of racism."
The presence of the flags had caused discomfort for the Jewish community. The council disclosed that it had received 290 complaints or inquiries concerning stickers, graffiti, and flags related to the Gaza conflict since October 2023.
In violation of section 224 of the Town and Country Planning Act, UK Lawyers for Israel claimed that the flags' hanging and the council's inaction in their removal were unlawful.
