11th October, 2023
A pro-Palestinian demonstration in Sheffield, England, has sparked controversy as protesters scaled the iconic Sheffield town hall to remove the Israeli flag from its flagpole.
Video footage capturing the act has gone viral on social media platforms.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening as hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the city centre to express their support for Palestine.
Two individuals managed to climb the 60-meter-high Victorian town hall building. To the applause of the crowd below, they lowered the Israeli flag and replaced it with the Palestinian flag.
Initial reports suggesting the destruction of the Israeli flag were debunked by a spokesperson for Sheffield City Council. According to the council, the flag was not damaged but was instead returned to the local authorities.
Sheffield City Council’s leader, Tom Hunt, expressed disapproval of the incident, stating, “Everyone has the right to a safe and peaceful protest, but we cannot support the events that took place during the protest outside Sheffield’s town hall.
“Protesters put themselves and others in serious danger. We are a city of sanctuary, and this is not what we stand for.”
The incident unfolded around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, leading the council to hoist the Union Jack flag at 8 p.m. This flag-raising had been planned before the incident occurred.
A Sheffield City Council spokesperson clarified that the decision to display the Israeli flag was made in solidarity, following a request from the department for levelling up, housing, and communities, aligning with the council’s flag protocol.
In light of the protest and the flag replacement incident, a comprehensive review is being conducted by the council, including an assessment of security measures in place.
Collaborating with local law enforcement, the council aims to ensure the safety and security of all public gatherings and demonstrations.
dpa/NAN