The Palestinian kite making workshop, due to take place on Sunday 11 February 2024 in a Hitchin Community Centre, has been cancelled after claims it was reminiscent of 7 October paragliders.

This follows UKLFI’s letter to Anthony Roche, the managing director of North Hertfordshire District Council.

Mr Roche wrote: “Please note that whilst North Herts Council is the freeholder of St John’s Community Centre, it is let to and managed by St John’s Community Association.

The Council therefore had no role in accepting or confirming this event booking. We have shared your concerns with the Community Association and they have decided to cancel the booking due to community safety concerns.”

UKLFI had pointed out that the Palestinian themed kites were not only reminiscent of the burning kites sent into Israel in 2018, which set light to and destroyed thousands of acres of Israeli agricultural crops, but also a grim reminder of the horrific machine gun wielding terrorists who used paragliders to enter Israel where they slaughtered dozens of music festival goers on 7 October 2023.

UKLFI also highlighted to Mr Roche that, as a Local Authority, it is bound by the public sector equality duty in s.149 of the Equality Act 2010 to have due regard to the need to foster good relations between different religious and ethnic communities.

Caroline Turner commented:  “We are pleased that community safety concerns were taken seriously.  The Jewish residents of Hertfordshire will be relieved that the kite making workshop will not go ahead at the community centre”