Hackney Council has removed the official photograph of a newly-elected Green councillor from its website after pressure from pro-Israel lobbyists, sparking concern from the borough's mayor.
Background of the Controversy
The image of London Fields councillor Brenda Puech, wearing a keffiyeh—a traditional black and white Middle Eastern scarf often associated with the Palestinian cause—drew criticism from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). The advocacy group sent a letter to the council on June 3, claiming that Jewish and Israeli residents associate the scarf with hostility towards Israel and, in some cases, with terrorist organisations and anti-Semitism. UKLFI argued that the photo could create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for Jewish residents and had already caused distress to at least one Jewish person in Hackney.
Council's Response and Mayor's Reaction
The council removed the picture the following day. However, the borough's new Green Mayor, Zoë Garbett, has distanced herself from the decision. In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) on Thursday, she said, "I want to be very clear that neither Cllr Puech nor myself, nor anyone else in the Green councillor group, were part of the decision to remove the picture. I appreciate that many people are alarmed by this. It was a decision taken by officers, and one that has led me to raise my concerns."
Cllr Puech criticised UKLFI for sharing the picture on its own website, which it deemed offensive, but declined further comment. The LDRS understands the issue is ongoing.
UKLFI's Involvement
UKLFI describes itself as a voluntary association of British lawyers established in 2011 to combat the delegitimisation of Israel and support pro-Israel organisations using legal skills. In 2024, the group reportedly threatened Tower Hamlets Council with legal action over Palestinian flags in council-owned buildings, which were later removed. UKLFI's letter to Hackney Council argued that the photo could potentially engage provisions of the Equality Act and referred to the council's Code of Conduct and the Public Sector Equality Duty. The group also asked the council to ensure the scarf was not worn during council business.
Hackney Council's Code of Conduct
Hackney Council's Code of Conduct states that members must not do anything that may cause the authority to breach equality enactments under the Equality Act 2010. The code does not specifically address dress, political expression, or symbolic speech. Some Hackney councillors have previously worn keffiyehs in the Town Hall chamber.
The LDRS requested UKLFI to provide its full letter and explain how the keffiyeh could infringe the Equality Act, the Code of Conduct, and the Public Sector Equality Duty, but the organisation did not respond after several days. The council also declined to comment.
Political Reactions
The Labour opposition group appeared to support the decision. A spokesperson for Hackney Labour said the council's website should remain impartial in matters of religion and belief. "Care should be taken to avoid any appearance of community pressure, coercion, or preferential treatment that could lead residents to feel that one faith is being elevated above others. An inclusive and neutral approach helps ensure that all members of the community feel equally represented and respected," the spokesperson said.
This incident adds to ongoing debates about political symbols and religious neutrality in public spaces.
