Sadiq Khan defends New Year fireworks after online claims of removing Star of David

London Mayor Sadiq Khan's office has responded to online accusations that the New Year's Eve fireworks display removed the Star of David from the Israeli flag. The display, which drew around 100,000 spectators along the River Thames, reportedly showed Israeli colors but some social media users claimed the Star of David symbol was absent. City Hall has pushed back against these claims, though the controversy has gained traction online following the midnight celebration on January 1, 2026. The fireworks display is one of London's major annual events, typically watched by large crowds in central London and broadcast nationally. The incident comes amid heightened sensitivities around Middle East symbolism in public events.