Thousands of people gathered outside Downing Street on Sunday for a protest against antisemitism, with senior politicians from multiple parties addressing the crowd. The rally, organized by the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called on the British public to "face down extremists" following a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites in London and a double stabbing in Golders Green, which is being treated as an act of terrorism.
Mixed reception for politicians
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch received raucous applause and cheers as she took the stage. "There are many, many different pockets of antisemitism in this country, but I am most worried about the growth of extremism and terror around the world and how it targets many groups in this country," she said. "Britain has been a sanctuary for Jewish people, and it must always be a sanctuary for Jewish people."
In contrast, cabinet minister Pat McFadden was jeered and booed throughout his speech. Protesters shouted "shame," "it's your party's fault," and "when will you act?" while some held signs reading "British Jews deserve better," "where is Keir," and "Brits against antisemitism." McFadden responded, "I come to speak for something, for the freedom, for the freedom that marks us out as a great country." As his voice was drowned out, he added, "Friends, I hear you, I am with you, I am here to fight antisemitism."
Chief rabbi and other leaders speak
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis addressed the rally, telling the crowd it is "unacceptable that poisonous antisemitism has become normalised in the UK." Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, also received applause, declaring, "The scourge of antisemitism has been allowed to flourish in our beloved country, and we have to say we are sick and tired of warm words from waffly politicians." Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey faced some jeers initially, but the event's MC urged the audience to listen as a friend, and the boos subsided.
Heightened security measures
Strict security was in place, with attendees undergoing airport-style checks at the Trafalgar Square entrance to Whitehall before joining the rally. The heightened vigilance follows a knife attack in Golders Green that led the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre to raise the UK terrorism threat level to "severe," meaning a terror attack is "highly likely."
The Metropolitan Police announced this week a community protection team of 100 extra officers to help safeguard the Jewish community, despite Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley's earlier call for 300 additional officers. Sir Mark warned of a growing "pandemic" of antisemitism in the UK and expressed concern about the sustainability of the force's current approach to protecting Jewish communities in the capital.
