John Glen MP 'dismayed' at city council refusing to fly Israeli flag

It comes after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on Israel on Saturday, with hundreds of gunmen infiltrating communities near the Gaza Strip.

At least 1,300 Israelis have been killed, while dozens of soldiers and civilians, including women and children, are being held in Gaza as hostages.

More than 1,300 Palestinians have also been killed in numerous air strikes on Gaza that Israel's military is carrying out in response, and Israel has imposed a total blockade on the territory, denying it food, fuel and other essentials.

Speaking exclusively to the Journal, Mr Glen said "I am dismayed by news that Salisbury City Council has refused to fly the flag of Israel following last weekend’s appalling atrocities which saw over 1,000 Israeli civilians murdered by Hamas.

"Earlier this week, Israel’s flag was flown from government buildings across Whitehall, and Parliament was lit up in the colours of the Israeli flag as a sign of solidarity following the attack by Hamas - a proscribed terrorist organisation in UK law. There is no reason why Salisbury should not do the same."

Mr Glen added that given the "large number of different flags" that the city council has flown supporting a number of worthy causes, it is "inexplicable" that they are refusing to do the same following this unprecedented attack.

He said: "I am calling on the leaders of the city council and the mayor to reconsider this decision and show that Salisbury stands against terrorism and the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians."

L-R: City council leaders Annie Riddle, Ian Tomes and Victoria Charleston

In response, Salisbury City Council's leaders said it would like to show its support for all those caught up in the brutal conflict, and will be holding a minute's silence at the next full council meeting, which takes place on November 13, but confirmed it would not be flying an Israeli flag. 

The council leaders added: "Historically, we have not flown a flag to signal support for one nation against another in times of war, and to do so might prove divisive in our own community.

"We have flown the Ukraine flag. After our government asked the nation to welcome Ukrainian refugees into our homes, this was part of Salisbury's response, along with practical measures to help them settle in to our city.

"We hope all our residents will share in our expression of solidarity with all the innocent victims of this tragic situation."

Salisbury mayor Cllr Atiqul Hoque added: "I think the leaders have made a sensible decision. Salisbury is home to many different communities, religions and cultures. 

"Raising a flag will create division among us and won't solve anything. While I condemn the atrocities committed by a terrorist organisation like Hamas, and my heart goes out to all innocent civilians who lost their lives, we can't keep on raising flags every time a terrorist attack takes place. 

"I also condemn Israel, cutting off water supplies and electricity. This is a testing time for world leaders, the should bring both parties to the table and resolve the differences and show real leadership."