Thousands attend rally against antisemitism outside Downing Street | Antisemitism

Thousands of people gathered outside Downing Street on Sunday to protest a rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes and violence as senior politicians and interfaith leaders called for unity.

As the Stand Strong: Defeat Antisemitism rally, supported by more than 30 Jewish groups, drew thousands of people to Whitehall, Conservative and Liberal Democrat party leaders addressed a crowd filled with Israeli and Union Jack flags, alongside Labor and Reform representatives, chanting ‘Where is Keir?’ banners.

The rally was held in response to a marked increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes and violence, including the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green on 29 April. Suspected terrorist Essa Suleiman has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the stabbings.

Labour’s Pat McFadden was met with boos and “Where’s Starmer?” was greeted with shouts. while he was on stage. The Work and Pensions Secretary said: “I hear your anger, I hear your pain, I stand against antisemitism, I stand with you.” Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats was also booed, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice were greeted with mostly cheers and applause.

Ahead of the rally, British Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Zoroastrian religious leaders signed an open letter describing antisemitism as “a problem we all need to solve”.

Tight security was in place around Whitehall as protesters passed through metal detectors and encountered a visible security presence. Among those attending the meeting was Lionel Blumenthal, 91, who came from Golders Green, north London, to show solidarity against antisemitism.

Stating that the atmosphere in the North London region is anger, anxiety and uncertainty about the future, Blumenthal said: “I am angry and horrified, this is not the country I grew up in, I no longer feel safe.” “This means that I have to be much more careful than before; I cannot guarantee my safety, my safety.”

He added: “I think it is important that all parts of British society, and politicians in particular, come together and condemn antisemitism.”

Following the north London attack, the UK’s terrorism threat level was raised to “severe” by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, indicating an attack was assessed as highly likely. The number of anti-Semitic hate crimes in London in April reached a two-year high, according to data from the Metropolitan police, which recently pledged to deploy 100 extra officers to protect Jewish communities.

“I’m not here to play politics today,” Badenoch told the crowd. The Conservative leader drew parallels between the “same terror” of the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel and the kidnapping of schoolgirls in his native Nigeria in 2014.

“I am most concerned about the increase in extremism and terrorism around the world,” he said. “I am with you, millions are with you, Britain is and always must be the refuge of the Jewish people.”

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said “we will fight to make people feel safe in our country” as he called for changes to the Counter Terrorism programme, a zero-tolerance police approach to antisemitism and a ban on Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Reform’s Tice was applauded as he accused Labor of a “lack of courage and leadership”, adding that “the scourge of antisemitism has been allowed to fester in our country”.

Participants who spoke to the Guardian called for an increased security presence for the Jewish community and an end to “hate marches” in London, referring to pro-Palestinian supporters who took to the streets of the capital to call for an end to Israel’s war in Gaza.

Geraldine Hoynicki, from the crowd, said she had never felt unsafe in her 72 years as a member of the Jewish community until this year. “Because there have been and continue to be many unfortunate events against Jews,” Hoynicki said.

The Northampton resident said the prime minister should attend the rally but said it was “highly unlikely” because he was “too busy worrying about himself”. He said the government had not done “nearly enough” to combat antisemitism but “they were willing”, adding that “this is something we should be grateful for”.

Ahead of the rally, a letter from more than 2,000 signatories called on organizers to withdraw an invitation to UK Reform leader Nigel Farage and ensure the event reflected the values ​​of “inclusion and solidarity”.

Organizers defended the decision to invite Farage, citing Reform’s growing presence in parliament and “broad support” in tackling antisemitism, adding: “There was no way we wouldn’t invite them.” Green party leader Zack Polanski was not invited by organizers due to allegations that he had not done enough to eliminate antisemitism in the party; This view was also expressed by some people at the rally on Sunday.

A Green Party spokesman said antisemitism required a cross-party effort and required politicians to de-escalate rather than escalate tensions, adding: “It feels like the world has been turned upside down when Reformation is invited to be part of the initiative to combat antisemitism, but the Green party and its Jewish leader are not.”

For Eliza Black, 26, who lives in London, the focus on inviting politicians missed the rally’s point.

“We’re coming here because there was a stabbing two weeks ago. It doesn’t matter who’s invited and who’s not,” Black said, “because then it becomes a political issue, which becomes party policy. It’s a human right; it’s about tolerance, it’s about being able to be religious, it’s about being able to identify as a Jew, it’s about being able to feel safe walking the streets.”

“It shouldn’t matter who is invited and who isn’t,” he said. “This is about remembering why we are here today.”