Tower Hamlets to Remove Palestinian Flags Amid Legal Threats and Community Tensions

The London borough's decision follows complaints from Jewish residents and a legal challenge by UK Lawyers for Israel, aiming to ease community distress.

• Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman orders the removal of Palestinian flags from council buildings and lampposts, citing solidarity with Gaza but acknowledging community tensions.
• The decision comes after legal threats from UK Lawyers for Israel, who argue the flags intimidate Jewish residents and could incite violence.
• Rahman refutes claims the flags are symbols of division, instead suggesting they've been used to further an Islamophobic narrative.
• The borough faces a government inspection amid concerns over its governance, including the independence of its election officer and financial planning.
• Tower Hamlets has the highest percentage of Muslims in London, with Rahman warning of a rise in Islamophobia and antisemitism.

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