Guernsey Press

Tens of thousands gather for rally against antisemitism amid Gaza truce

Former prime minister Boris Johnson was among the high-profile figures to join the demonstration.

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Tens of thousands have attended a march against antisemitism in London, as the crowd heard that the Jewish community will “not be intimidated”.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson was among the high-profile figures joining the demonstration, a day after crowds also gathered in the capital to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

Those who addressed the marchers included Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and immigration minister Robert Jenrick, as organisers claimed the pro-Palestinian rallies in recent weeks had made the capital a “no-go zone for Jews”.

Organisers called the rally the largest gathering against antisemitism London had seen since the Battle of Cable Street in 1936, when hundreds of thousands of people blocked a planned march by Sir Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists through an area populated by many Jewish families.

It was organised by the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism amid fears about rising antisemitic incidents sparked by the crisis in the Middle East.

Sir Ephraim told the crowd: “Since October 7 we have witnessed here in the UK an alarming rise of antisemitism, but we will not be intimidated.

Tracy-Ann Oberman, left, and Rachel Riley take part in the march
Former EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman, left, and Countdown’s Rachel Riley took part in the march (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

“So with regard to the poisonous spread of antisemitism, what should the response of the British people be?

“Number one, call it out when you see it. Number two, call it by what it really is – Jew hatred.

“Number three, be vigilant and report every incident. Number four, we must arrest every single perpetrator and bring every single one of them to justice.”

“Demonstrations marched through our cities, marched through our capital, where people glorify terrorism, where people incite racism against Jews.

“And indeed, as we saw yesterday, yet again, carrying placards showing a Star of David thrown in the bin with a caption that says ‘please keep the world clean’, messaging that would not have been out of place in 1930s Germany, it is appalling.”

Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday for the latest demonstration, demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, with some demonstrators accusing Israel of committing genocide and others chanting “from the river to the sea”.

People take part in the march
The march was organised by the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Organisers Stop the War coalition said those at the now-regular marches have “clear anti-racist foundations” and oppose both antisemitism and Islamophobia.

It had asked anyone attending Saturday’s rally to “respect these clear anti-racist principles, including in any signs or placards they choose to bring to the march”.

Mr Johnson compared antisemitism with “an old spore of a virus”.

Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick speaks at the rally
Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick said antisemitism was a ‘stain on our country’ (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Mr Jenrick, who said he was at the march to represent the Government, spoke from the stage to warn that “enough is enough”.

He said antisemitism was a “stain on our country, it is moral decay”.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat was among celebrities including Tracy-Ann Oberman, Rachel Riley, Eddie Marsan and Robert Rinder at the march.

Minister of State for Security Tom Tugendhat, centre, takes part in the rally
Security minister Tom Tugendhat was among those marching (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Former EastEnders actress Ms Oberman called antisemitism an “incitement to hatred, it is an incitement to divide”, while Countdown’s Ms Riley urged people to “get serious” about tackling it.

Actor Mr Marsan questioned why there “were many who were hesitant to acknowledge or condemn the actions of Hamas”.

There had been fears that Mr Robinson, former leader of the English Defence League, could disrupt the protest, with organisers making clear that he would not be welcome.

Police said a 40-year-old man had been arrested close to the Royal Courts of Justice, from where the demonstration began on Sunday.

Mr Robinson had previously been seen among the crowds of counter-protesters who clashed with police during ceasefire protests held on Armistice Day.

In a statement, the Met said the organisers had “been clear about their concerns that the man’s attendance, and that of those who were likely to accompany him, would cause fear for other participants.

“The same view has been voiced by others.

Campaign Against Antisemitism march
People at the rally waved Israeli and Union flags (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

“He was directed to leave the area but refused to do so.”

The Met said that another man was also arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated offence as crowds left Whitehall.

It comes as the Israeli military said that 14 Israelis and three foreign nationals have been released from captivity in Gaza, on the third day of a four-day truce.

Campaign Against Antisemitism march
Former leader of the English Defence League Tommy Robinson was led away by police (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners.

All are women and minors.

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