Dear Editor,

ON Sunday 25th January I attended a moving holocaust Memorial Service where a young man, unexpectedly disregarded a request by Razed Roof staff and during a performance piece stated that 70,000 people had been killed in Gaza by the Israeli Government. He was then told by the Rabbi that his figures were “opinion not fact”. He responded by saying that they were UN figures.

For a full report please see the Your Harlow articles in particular please note the statement by the Chair of Razed Roof Trustees https://www.yourharlow.com/2026/01/28/razed-roof-chair-issues-statement-following-harlow-council-decision-after-holocaust-memorial-furore/

On Tuesday 27th January The Trustees of Razed Roof were informed by Harlow Council that they were, with immediate effect, prohibited from accessing any Council facilities including Harlow Playhouse, where the group are based and where they have met and performed for approximately the last 30 years.

On the morning of Thursday 28th January I had to attempt to offer comfort to a middle aged man who was in tears as his Razed Roof Thursday Group were not able to meet in Harlow Playhouse.

On Thursday evening a BBC News Report – stated an Israeli security source has indicated to Israeli journalists, including those from Haaretz and the Times of Israel that the total number of Palestinian deaths given by the Hamas health ministry is largely accurate.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgpd1x00exo

So, was the young man right to go against the wishes of the staff member? I don’t believe he was. But I also think he hadn’t thought through the possible consequences of his actions.

His action, which some may argue was principled, was counter-productive and caused deep distress to those attending the Holocaust service and indirectly caused harm to the reputation of Razed Roof and to the service and support they provide to vulnerable members of Harlow’s community.

There must be a time, place and opportunity for these matters to be properly explored, but last Sunday evening in the Civic Centre was not it. However it is also not an issue that will simply go away by choosing to ignore it.

Was the subsequent response of the Harlow Council disproportionate? I believe so;

They gave Razed Roof Trustees little or no time to make alternative arrangements for the vulnerable people they support.

They forced the cancellation without notice of a public event involving representatives of the Health Service and a Scientist from the Crick Institute and others, exploring access to health provision for people with disabilities.

This was to be held in the Playhouse on the evening of Thursday 29th January.

Harlow Council’s actions also arguably threaten the continued existence of Razed Roof. A company that has served Harlow well for over 30 years.

Their response now looks increasingly ill thought through and more like an act of collective punishment.

Razed Roof has issued an apology – it was published in full in Your Harlow. Rabbi Irit has stated “there was clearly a grave error of judgement but I do not believe there was any intention on the part of the Razed Roof team to offend or cause distress.’ I sincerely thank her for that statement and for the wise and constructive way she has sought to descalate the situation.

Surely then the time has come for the Council to also restore some sense of proportion. It could start by allowing the Razed Roof Group to go back to the Playhouse whilst a full and objective investigation is carried out. Perhaps then there can be some learning, understanding, reconciliation and an end to the harm both the event and the subsequent reaction caused and will continue to cause if the matter is not quickly resolved.

The harm suffered by Razed Roof members pales into insignificance when compared to the harm suffered by victims of wars and genocides and to the deep pain of the Palestinian and Israeli people. But this a harm we as a community can do something about.

For transparency I was for a number of years both a Trustee and Chair of Trustees of Razed Roof. Although I am no longer a Trustee I have continued to be involved by attending, whenever I can, Razed Roof events.

Cllr Tony Edwards