Redbridge Council has been accused of showing a “worrying pattern of disregard for Jews” as its own staff raise concerns about its attitude towards antisemitism.

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has written to Claire Symonds, the Borough’s Chief Executive, on behalf of Jewish employees.

Caroline Turner, a director at UKLFI, said in the letter: “We have been approached by concerned staff members at Redbridge Council regarding your Council’s attitude towards anti-Semitism.”

The letter cites multiple incidents, all of which have taken place since the October 7 massacre by Hamas, that have made Jewish staff members fearful that the Council is not taking antisemitism seriously.

It describes how a “hate preacher” was allowed to speak at the Redbridge Council-owned Wanstead Library. On 13 October, Omar Hajjaj urged Muslims to reject what the media and politicians say about Hamas: “They are not terrorists and their victims are not innocent.”

He went on to insist that Muslims back Hamas until “victory”. This speech was contrary to section 12(1A) of the Terrorism Act 2000, in that it expressed an opinion or belief that was supportive of a proscribed terrorist organisation and was likely to encourage members of his audience to support it.

In a separate incident, an antisemitic email was circulated within Redbridge Council groups. This included comments such as “… the creation of a Jewish only homeland is based on a racist ideology……what is transpiring in Gaza…..cannot be described as antisemitic. It is the extremist Zionists that try to muddy the water between the two ….”.

The email also said: “This disaster did not start on Oct 7th, it started in 1948” and someone else commented: “nothing spoken but facts”.

UKLFI’s letter to Redbridge Council notes: “In fact the comments made are racist, antisemitic, offensive and factually inaccurate. They also breach S18 of the Public Order Act in that they are likely to stir up racial hatred.”

Mrs Turner said: “Taken together, we feel these incidents indicate a worrying pattern of disregard for Jews by Redbridge Council.”

Council staff have also requested guidance on how to deal with people on Council property, in the course of Council business, who are, for example, wearing offensive anti-Israel and antisemitic slogans attached to their clothing or expressing antisemitic views.

Mrs Turner said: “We understand that there is such a policy for people wearing racist or homophobic slogans, or who display racist or homophobic behaviour but no similar policy regarding anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism.”

Earlier this month, UKLFI wrote to Redbridge Council to warn that failing to remove Palestinian flags flying from Council property such as lampposts is a criminal offence.

Although it appears that the Council is now removing the flags, they are being re-erected shortly afterwards, in an increasing show of defiance by the Palestinian supporters.

Redbridge residents are also concerned about the hate speech that has been reported to have taken place in local mosques, including South Woodford Mosque and the Essex Jamme Masjid in Chelmsford and fear that this is fuelling the antisemitism in the Borough.