The heart of central London was transformed, with tens of thousands of people coming together for a march against antisemitism. This was the first time since the Israel-Gaza war began that such a demonstration had taken place, with organisers suggesting that up to 60,000 people could have attended. The rally was facilitated as a response to the continuing rise in hate crime, particularly against the Jewish community living in the capital.
Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, had been requested not to participate in the march by organisers of the demonstration. However, he was eventually removed from the site by police and a 40-year-old man was later arrested in close proximity to the starting point of the march. The rally commenced outside Royal Court of Justice, moving along Whitehall to culminate at Parliament Square where a large group was already assembled.
Placards bearing messages like “Never again is now” and “Shoulder to shoulder with British Jews” were brandished by those who participated in the march. At Parliament Square, the crowd heard the thoughts of Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, who expressed to British Jews present that they would not be intimidated by antisemitism. Sir Ephraim also called for enhancing community spirit and standing firm in the face of unacceptable bigotry.
Actors and TV personalities including Maureen Lipman, Vanessa Feltz, Robert Rinder, Elliot Levey and Tracy-Ann Oberman were spotted by attendees, along with political figures such as Boris Johnson, Tom Tugendhat, Robert Jenrick and Peter Kyle. Rising hate crimes against Jewish people have surged since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict, with 554 accounts of antisemitic offences registered during the period of 1 October to 1 November, compared with 44 over the same time span last year.
This march was organised after the recent pro-Palestinian rally that marshalled in London following escalating violence in the Middle East. The Metropolitan Police have faced mounting criticism for their assumed lack of better policing of pro-Palestinian rallies but have now promised to take a stricter stance on placards and chanting which could constitute hate crime
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