Sir Sadiq Khan's New Year fireworks event in London has been accused of removing the Star of David from the Israeli flag - but organisers blamed a technical fault.

The annual celebration featured dozens of flags projected onto the London Eye as 100,000 people lined the banks of the River Thames to welcome in 2026.

But Israel's flag could only be seen in the BBC's coverage as white with two blue stripes - and the Star of David, which represents Jewish identity, was not visible.

The Mayor's office has vehemently denied removing the Star of David, adding that the flags were not always clear because they were small and moving in animation.

Viewers on TV saw a blank space where the Star of David should have been - but the issue also appears to have affected a number of other blue and white flags being shown during the display, including those of Guatemala, Argentina and Honduras.

As the segment of the display with the animation comes to end, the Star of David can finally be seen appearing faintly on the Israeli flag, although it is still barely visible. 

A City Hall spokesman told the Mail: 'A range of flags were displayed on the London Eye to represent the wide variety of countries of origin of people who live in and contribute to the success of London. These animated flags were small and moving so were not all entirely clear at every point as they gradually formed into the Union Flag.'

It comes amid growing concern over the safety of Jews in London amid a rise in the number of antisemitic incidents in the UK since the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Last night's display infuriated viewers - with some also upset that the improper Israeli flag appeared next to the Palestinian flag at one point. Former Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy tweeted: 'I thought this was a hoax, so I checked myself. 

Israel's flag in the fireworks display only had white with two blue stripes with no Star of David

Viewers also said the improper Israeli flag appeared next to the Palestinian flag at one point

The Mayor's office said the flags were not always clear because they were small and moving

As the segment of the display with the animation comes to end, the Star of David can finally be seen appearing faintly on the Israeli flag (centre), although it is still barely visible

'The Star of David was removed from the Israeli flag during last night's fireworks display at the London Eye. Just a white flag, with two blue stripes - and the Jewish symbol gone. Mayor Sadiq Khan has a lot of explaining to do.'