The leader of Hertsmere Borough Council has spoken of his “disgust” at learning that ribbons and a poster remembering hostages taken by Hamas last year were “vandalised, removed and stolen”.
In recent days, yellow ribbons near Elstree & Borehamwood railway station have been cut down, and a banner has been reportedly stolen. New ribbons have since been put up.
Hertfordshire police believe the ribbons were cut down on Sunday or Monday (November 17-18). A spokesperson said officers are treating the incident as “religiously aggravated”.
The ribbons are intended to bring attention to the plight of people in Israel who were taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attack last year and remain in captivity.
According to Israel, around 250 people were taken during the attack, and more than 90 continue to be held.
Hertsmere Borough Council lit up its civic offices last month to mark a year since the attack.
After speaking of his “disgust” at the ribbons being cut, Cllr Jeremy Newmark told a council meeting on Wednesday ( November 20): “I saw some comments on social media suggesting somebody might have done this because there was nothing on the other side of the conflict.
“Let’s be really clear, and this is a view I hope will be shared across the chamber.
“There is Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organisation that sits on the other side of the conflict.
“It is Western, liberal, democratic, humanitarian values that sit on the side of the conflict represented by those yellow ribbons and that poster.
“And, in this borough, the notion that there is a legitimate other side to that particular conflict is not something I as leader of this council, and I believe most members of this council, will be prepared to tolerate.”
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Morris Bright, leader of the council’s Conservative group, said: “The continuing hostage situation in Gaza is a cause of grave concern to many people across our towns and communities.
“It is a shame when a peaceful form of reminding us all of the terrors being faced by the hostages, more than one year on from being taken captive, can be defaced and damaged.”
Hertfordshire police have urged anyone with information about the ribbons being cut down to call 101.
Covering Hertfordshire’s district and borough councils.
