Gove's Warning: Councils Advised Against Canceling Hanukkah Celebrations Amid Middle East Conflict

Michael Gove has warned local councils against canceling Hanukkah events due to concerns that they may provoke tensions.

Pointing to the recent decision by Havering Borough Council to forego lighting Hanukkah candles out of vandalism fears, Gove called the rationale misguided and said religious freedom is a core British value.

Havering, located in East London, reversed its earlier decision not to light the menorah after facing criticism. Former Conservative minister Sir Michael Ellis urged caution and common sense among councils during this sensitive period.

In the House of Commons, Gove also noted a worrying rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK following attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7, with a record number reported over a six-week period.

Colleague Andrew Percy highlighted denial and downplaying of the violence against Jews is contributing to a surge in antisemitism, stressing that Jewish lives must be valued.

Havering Borough Council had stated they canceled the Hanukkah lighting due to a spike in hate crimes, denouncing accusations of antisemitism as inflammatory.