Islington’s menorah, erected to celebrate Hanukkah, has been severely damaged in what the council labelled a “hate crime” on Thursday.
Reported to be the second biggest public menorah lighting in the UK, the candelabra was lit in Islington Green to mark Hanukkah on December 10.
Just days later, however, pictures posted on social media showed the menorah severely damaged and left lying on the ground.
Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz, leader of Islington Council, said: “We are utterly appalled at the attack on the menorah lights at Islington Green today.
“The festival of Hanukkah is a celebration of light and joy. This horrific antisemitic attack is completely unacceptable and doesn’t reflect the Islington we know and love.
“Hate crime has no place in Islington and we will work with the Metropolitan Police to find the culprit of this attack.
“Islington will not be cowed by hate crime and we will make sure replacement menorah lights are in place for the remainder of Hanukkah to make sure our community can continue to celebrate.”
Another lighting ceremony will be held at 6.30pm in Islington Green on Thursday evening as a show of solidarity.
I’m sorry to share that the Menorah on Islington Green has been severely damaged. The ugly face of hate.
— Mendy Korer (@ChabadIslington) December 14, 2023
I guess not everyone enjoys light and joy.
Talking now to @IslingtonBC and @MPSIslington pic.twitter.com/QGsNNYFUzs
The incident comes amid a rise in hate crime across the capital following the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East.
On Thursday, a video posted on social media showed an orthodox Jewish man being punched in the head in Stamford Hill.
Scotland Yard has confirmed it is investigating the incident, but has not yet said if it is treating the incident as a hate crime.
Metropolitan Police is also investigating a separate incident which saw a Jewish woman violently robbed in Rostrevor Avenue.
CCTV showed the woman walking along the road at roughly 4.30pm on December 7 when she was assaulted by two girls. The girls, aged 13 and 14, were later released under investigation on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said there were 800 open hate crime cases.
Speaking at a London Policing Board meeting chaired by mayor Sadiq Khan, Sir Mark said the Met had so far spent 28,000 officer shifts on Operation Brocks - the force’s response to the knock-on effects of the situation in the Middle East in London.
He also told the board: “We are severely - and I anticipate for the long term - bent out of shape, both organisationally, and [in a way] that affects many individuals…
“We’ve got over 800 open hate crime cases that we’re working through, which will take thousands of officer hours to work through them and try and bring offenders to justice."
The Met Police has been approached for comment.
