Trafalgar Square Menorah Removed Due to High Winds

High winds over the weekend necessitated the removal of Trafalgar Square’s giant menorah, leading to changes in plans for the initial night of Hanukkah celebrations, City Hall has announced. The menorah, a long-established emblem of London’s Hanukkah festivities, could not be safely reinstalled in time for Wednesday’s scheduled event, according to statements from the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) and the Greater London Authority. Instead, a smaller menorah, standing 12ft (3.7m) tall, and a projection of “Happy Hanukkah” on Nelson’s Column will mark the commencement of the holiday, also known as the Festival of Light. The JLC expressed pride that the menorah would be positioned alongside Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree as “a symbol of London’s religious diversity.” This year, Hanukkah is observed from December 25 to January 2. London Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the holiday amidst “difficult times” in the Middle East, while also condemning the increasing number of antisemitic incidents recorded across the capital. He stated: “The story of [Hanukkah] is one of light and hope winning out in the darkest of times and re-dedication to the values we hold dear, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.” “I stand with our Jewish communities today and all days to say that antisemitism has absolutely no place in our city.” A JLC spokesperson further added that the menorah would serve as a “powerful symbol of Jewish pride” in response to antisemitism.