tHE controversial directly elected mayor of Tower Hamlets today ordered the Palestinian flag to be flown from the town hall as a "gesture of humanitarian solidarity" with the victims of the fighting in Gaza.
Lutfur Rahman posted the image of the Palestinian flag outside the Town Hall[GETTY/TWITTER]
The flag was flown above Mulberry Place in London's Docklands following an edict from Lutfur Rahman, who is Britain's only directly elected mayor.
In a statement he said: "We are flying the Palestinian flag over the town hall as a humanitarian gesture of our solidarity with the people of Gaza.
In a statement he said: "We are flying the Palestinian flag over the town hall as a humanitarian gesture of our solidarity with the people of Gaza.
"In addition to the current military onslaught, the blockade of Gaza is causing a humanitarian catastrophe. Over 1,000 people have been killed, most of them women and children. An urgent aid corridor needs to be opened to allow those injured to receive treatment and medical care.
"We mourn the loss of life in this tragic conflict. We call on our Prime Minister to help create a lasting peace that breaks the cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians and prevents any further loss of innocent lives.”
He also called for a ceasefire in the conflict with Israel and said he made his decision "after hearing local residents' concerns".
Previous motions by councillors to have the flag raised in Tower Hamlets have failed repeatedly but today's move came under the directly elected mayor's executive powers.
Tower Hamlets was once home to tens of thousands of Jews who had fled pogroms in Europe in the 19th century however today very few Jews live in the area.
One who does is Cllr Peter Golds, the leader of the Tory opposition group and who has previously complained of being called "Zionist scum".
He said in reaction to today's move: "I'd have thought a council which has a problem counting votes had better things to concentrate on than conducting foreign policy."
Tower Hamlets was once home to tens of thousands of Jews who had fled pogroms in Europe in the 19th century however today very few Jews live in the area.
One who does is Cllr Peter Golds, the leader of the Tory opposition group and who has previously complained of being called "Zionist scum".
He said in reaction to today's move: "I'd have thought a council which has a problem counting votes had better things to concentrate on than conducting foreign policy."
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- Mr Rahman yesterday lost a High Court bid to have an election petition challenging his victory in May overturned.
He faces the prospect of defending allegations against him in a formal Election Court later this year.
He strongly denies any wrongdoing.
He is also awaiting the results of an emergency audit of the council's finances by accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers. That inspection was ordered by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles in April following a BBC Panorama documentary.
Again, Mr Rahman denies all accusations.
The flag flying on the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Town Hall [Ted Jeory]
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