Sadiq Khan in Hot Water as Star of David 'Vanishes' from Israeli Flag at London Eye NYE Bash
London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks turned sour after the Star of David appeared to disappear from the Israeli flag projected on the London Eye. Some 100,000 spectators watching the spectacle were left stunned as the iconic Jewish symbol was either missing or barely visible. The mishap has sparked fury online and put City Hall, led by Mayor Sadiq Khan, under intense scrutiny.
Blurry or Censored? The Star of David Mystery
BBC footage showed the Israeli flag in blue and white—but the central Star of David was faint or completely obscured. It only emerged faintly as the flag morphed into the Union Flag at midnight, leaving many wondering if it was a deliberate snub.
City Hall insists no symbols were tampered with. A spokesperson said, “The animated flags were small, moving, and affected by lighting, so not all details were clear as they morphed into the Union Flag.” Critics, however, note other blue-and-white flags—like those of Guatemala, Argentina, and Honduras—also looked distorted, raising questions about selective blurring.
Israeli Figures and Media Condemn the Move
Ex-Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy blasted the snub on X, stating: “I thought this was a hoax. The Star of David was removed from the Israeli flag during last night’s fireworks at the London Eye. Mayor Sadiq Khan has a lot of explaining to do.”
Broadcaster Melanie Phillips slammed Khan, saying: “London marks the new year by erasing the Jews from the State of Israel. This is what Sadiq Khan means when he says ‘antisemitism has no place in London’.”
One shocked viewer tweeted: “Why the hell has the Star of David been removed from the flag of Israel at the NYE London celebrations?”
Flag Fiasco Hits Amid Rising Antisemitism in the UK
The controversy comes as antisemitic incidents skyrocket across the country. The Community Security Trust recorded 1,521 antisemitic attacks in the first half of 2025—the second-highest ever for six months.
- 2024 saw 2,019 incidents
- 2023 set a grim record with 4,296 incidents, linked to the October Hamas attack on Israel
The London New Year’s bash was a massive televised event, boasting over 12,000 fireworks and 400 lights, plus star performances from Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Raye.
Now, the flag fiasco has reopened fierce debates about Khan’s leadership and his handling of London’s diverse communities—especially Jewish representation at public events.
City Hall blames technical glitches for the blurry flag display. But critics say it reveals a shocking lack of sensitivity at a time when unity is needed most.
