Published Article

HeadlineTower Hamlets to take down Palestinian flags from its buildings

Short HeadlineTower Hamlets Council removes Palestinian flags

StandfirstThe council cited concerns over community cohesion.

Tower Hamlets council will begin the removal of Palestinian flags from its buildings.

The move comes after UK Lawyers for Israel, an organisation who aim to ‘ensure that the rights of Israel and Israelis are respected’, threatened legal action.

In a statement on X, Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman described the flags as ‘symbols of solidarity…for those enduring extreme suffering in Gaza’.

However, Mayor Rahman added that the flags were increasingly being used to create division and fuel ‘Islamophobic sentiments.’

pic.twitter.com/AShmOzwgrA

— Lutfur Rahman (@LutfurRahmanTH) March 13, 2024

Following the removal, a council spokesperson said the following.

“Until now, the Council has decided not to remove the flags because we believe it could destabilise community cohesion.

“The issue of flags has become part of a wider negative discourse used by some to misrepresent Tower Hamlets and our residents.

“As a result, the council has decided to begin the removal of flags from council infrastructure.”

The council says it will make sure this is done “as sensitively as possible, with careful consideration of community tension going forward.”