Israeli flags 'forcibly' removed from Sheffield and Rotherham town halls

Protesters have removed Israeli flags flying above two South Yorkshire town halls.

Footage shared on social media showed a man on the roof of Sheffield Town Hall on Tuesday, removing the banner and replacing it with a Palestinian flag.

The flag outside Rotherham Town Hall was also "forcibly" removed and the flag pole damaged, the council said.

South Yorkshire's mayor Oliver Coppard condemned the acts, saying they did not "reflect the values of the region".

In a statement South Yorkshire Police said it believed two men had scaled Sheffield Town Hall on Tuesday evening.

In the clip, shared by Sheffield Online, people could be heard shouting "take it down" and cheering as the Israeli flag was lowered in Sheffield.

Officers attempted to disperse crowds, with two suspects "fleeing the scene" during the "minor disorder".

No arrests had been made, a force spokesperson added.

The force confirmed it had also received reports of the theft of a flag and "minor damage" to a flagpole at Rotherham Town Hall and investigations into both incidents were "ongoing".

The flag outside Rotherham Town Hall was removed and the flagpole damaged

They happened three days after dozens of armed fighters from Hamas - the Palestinian militant group - crossed into Israel from Gaza in a surprise attack.

The death toll in Israel has reached 1,200 - while more than 900 people have been killed by retaliatory Israeli air strikes on Gaza.

Sheffield City Council leader Tom Hunt said: "Everyone has the right to safe and peaceful protest but we cannot support the events that took place during the protest outside Sheffield's Town Hall.

"Protesters put themselves and others in serious danger."

The decision to fly the Israeli flag was made after a request from central government, both Sheffield City Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council said.

The local authorities added that the "show of solidarity" had been due to end at 20:00 BST, with the Union flag put back on the buildings afterwards.

'Innocent people'

Sheffield City Council confirmed a "full review" of the incident would take place and "we will look at the security measures that were in place".

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council said it had reported the incident to South Yorkshire Police.

Discussing the actions of those who were on the roof in Sheffield, Mr Hunt added: "We are a city of sanctuary, and this is not what we stand for.

"There are strong feelings about the situation in Israel and Palestine but we ask everyone to show respect and tolerance at this time."

Meanwhile, Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts told the BBC the incident was "disappointing".

He added: "I absolutely and utterly condemn the Hamas attack on innocent people.

"We have to look for long-term solutions to stop this violence. It's a two-state solution - but we don't seem to get anywhere near it."

'Place of compassion'

South Yorkshire's mayor Oliver Coppard said the Israeli flag being removed from the council buildings did not "reflect the values of the region I know".

"We are a place of compassion, a place that supports and respects our minority communities, and a place where we respect each other," he said.

Mr Coppard shared his plans to work with faith and community leaders as well as the police to "bring together our communities" and "to help us move forward".

He added: "We will do so in solidarity with the people of Israel, and those at risk in Gaza, those grieving, worried for their loved ones, and those scared about what is to come."