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UK government mocked for sloppy Yom Kippur social-media post

The Home Office shared a message for Jews that included an image of a seven-branch Temple candelabrum, goblet, and apples and honey in a post for the fast day.

Starmer Mahmood Manchester shooting
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood visit Greater Manchester Police HQ to meet first responders following a terror attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, Oct. 3, 2025. Credit: Lauren Hurley/No. 10 Downing Street.

The Home Office, the United Kingdom government’s interior ministry, was mocked widely for a social-media post for Yom Kippur that mixed up Jewish symbols.

“Wishing the Jewish community in the UK and beyond a blessed Yom Kippur,” the government stated.

It appended an illustration of a seven-branched candelabrum, which is associated with the Jewish Temples and Chanukah holiday, with a wine goblet, and apples and honey, even though Yom Kippur is a fast day.

“This is the equivalent of posting a pic of a Christmas tree and saying ho, ho, happy Easter,” wrote Canadian parliamentarian Michelle Rempel Garner. “Do better.”

“Basically, it’s like wishing a Christian a ‘merry Christmas,’ but instead of a Christmas tree and Santa Claus, there’s only Easter eggs and bunny rabbits,” another social media user said. “And the eggs are ostrich eggs for whatever reason.”

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