No.10 Refuses to Identify Company Behind Israeli Flag Projection, Citing National Security
The UK Government has refused to disclose the identity of the company that projected the Israeli flag onto 10 Downing Street following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, arguing that releasing the information could pose risks to national security and public safety.
The decision was revealed in a Freedom of Information (FOI) response issued by the Cabinet Office on 11 May 2026, following a request asking which supplier carried out the lighting projection on 8 October 2023.
In its response, the Government said the requested information was exempt from disclosure under Sections 31 and 38 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which relate to the prevention of crime and the protection of health and safety.
The Cabinet Office argued that identifying the supplier could reveal details about security-sensitive arrangements at Downing Street, a protected government site.
“Disclosure of the identity of suppliers involved in security-sensitive activity at Downing Street would risk revealing information about the security arrangements in place at a protected Government site,” the response states.
It added that disclosure could enable hostile actors to identify potential vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of criminal or hostile acts targeting the site, its infrastructure, contractors or staff.
The Government also cited health and safety concerns, saying that revealing the supplier responsible for the projection could expose staff and contractors to harassment, intimidation or physical harm “given the highly sensitive context.”
While acknowledging the public interest in transparency and accountability, the Cabinet Office concluded that this was outweighed by the public interest in maintaining effective security arrangements and reducing the risk of crime or harm.
The FOI request was submitted by Jon Harding, who later criticised the response on social media, writing:
“I asked No.10 a simple question: who projected the Israeli flag onto Downing St. Their answer: revealing the name of the lighting company would endanger national security, risk crime, and put lives at risk. Apparently questions about coloured light are now a threat to the state.”
The projection of the Israeli flag onto the façade of 10 Downing Street took place on 8 October 2023, one day after Hamas launched its attack on Israel. The display was intended as a public expression of solidarity with Israel.
The Government has not disclosed the identity of the supplier responsible for the projection, maintaining that doing so would compromise security and endanger those involved.
