Backlash as UK, EU official buildings light up 'in solidarity' with Israel as it bombs Gaza

The UK and EU have lit up official buildings in solidarity with Israel, prompting a backlash among those who say that such moves are politically biased and show disregard for Palestinian lives lost as Israel strikes Gaza.

World

3 min read

The New Arab Staff

09 October, 2023

The UK government projected the Israeli flag onto 10 Downing Street but has not mentioned civilian lives lost during Israel's bombardment of Gaza [Getty]

10 Downing Street and London’s City Hall were lit up Sunday in blue and white in an apparent show of solidarity with Israel following the fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that London "unequivocally" stands with Israel and has offered Tel Aviv potential military aid. He also posted a picture to social media platform 'X' of Downing Street, with the Israeli flag projected on it with the caption: "We Stand with Israel".

We stand with 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/dFtOngg4ju
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 8, 2023

The fighting that erupted on Saturday has left at least 800 Israelis and over 510 Palestinians dead, with Israel continuing to bombard Gaza, including many residential areas.

While some Israel supporters lauded Downing Street's show of solidarity, many on social media said the decision showed unwavering bias, that Israel is killing hundreds of civilians in Gaza in its response to the Hamas attack, and that it continues to commit vast human rights abuses while illegally occupying Palestinian land.

A rare occasion in media history where a Palestinian has been able to speak freely on live TV without being interrupted. Mustafa Barghouti, gen. sec. of the Palestinian National Initiative, gave evidence-based replies on Palestine during a live CNN interview that has gone viral: pic.twitter.com/nkWeyhPlBX
— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) October 9, 2023

Journalist Robert Carter wrote on X: "The UK government literally flag waving for an apartheid regime indiscriminately bombing a heavily civilian populated area. Doesn't get much lower than that."

Popular UK Muslim YouTuber smile2jannah was similarly scathing of the decision, writing: "Collective punishment is a war crime. This is a place where 1 million kids are imprisoned. And yet the UK continues to fly the flag of Israel …"

Collective punishment is a war crime. This is a place where 1 million kids are imprisoned.
And yet the UK continues to fly the flag of Israel, US funds them, while civilians are being bombed. pic.twitter.com/cbXX7Lyiyc
— smile2jannah (@smile2jannah) October 9, 2023

Elsewhere, the European Union followed suit, with the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels similarly lit up in the colours of the Israeli flag to show solidarity after strongly pro-Israel comments from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

She said in a statement: "Israel has the right to defend itself — today and in the days to come. The European Union stands with Israel. The brutality of the Hamas terror attack leaves us breathless."

This led to a backlash, with some European NGOs denouncing von der Leyen’s words as being dangerously partisan in favour of Israel.

"Note that this [von der Leyen's statement] was after Israel had already killed 200 plus Palestinians in Gaza — no word about them and giving Israel a carte blanche for days to come," said Marcin Konecny, the director of the European Middle East Project group.

"The EU should show solidarity with all victims instead of encouraging a massive reprisal," he added.