60,000 march in solidarity against antisemitism as new polling shows toll on British Jews

An estimated 60,000 people are marching this afternoon in London, including members of the Jewish community and their allies from across the country.

Leading public figures including the Chief Rabbi Sir Efraim Mirvis, Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, Peter Kyle and Robert Halfon, actors Eddie Marsan, Dame Maureen Lipman, Louisa Clein, Felicity Kendal and Elliot Levey, broadcasters Julia Hartley-Brewer and Vanessa Feltz, journalist Toby Young, photographer Laura Dodsworth and others, in the largest gathering against antisemitism since the Battle of Cable of Street in 1936.

The march, organised by Campaign Against Antisemitism with the support of numerous Jewish communal groups and non-Jewish organisations, including those behind the October Declaration, began at the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand before passing along Whitehall and ending at Parliament Square, where the crowd will be addressed by the Chief Rabbi, Home Office Minister of State Robert Jenrick, presenter Rachel Riley, actress Tracy-Ann Oberman. the Israeli singer Rita and others.

I don't know how many people have attended today's #MarchAgainstAntisemitism in London, and don't intend to make any stupid claims but it's a lot.

What is clear is how peaceful it is.

Lots of non-Jewish people too.#BringThemHome pic.twitter.com/7nGSRVUPXj

— Tony Homewood⚒ 🇮🇱 (@TonyHomewood) November 26, 2023

The march comes as week after week, central London has become a no-go zone for Jews. We have witnessed mass criminality, including glorification of terrorism, support for banned terrorist organisations such as Hamas, and incitement to racial or religious hatred against Jews. Marches have coursed through our capital regularly featuring genocidal chants, Hamas-style headbands, antisemitic placards, calls for jihad and the globalisation of intifada, songs about slaughtering Jews, and Islamist flags.

On Sunday, Campaign Against Antisemitism is releasing the results of a survey of British Jews, which yielded the following alarming insights.

69% of British Jews say that they are less likely to show visible signs of their Judaism right now, whilst almost half of British Jews have considered leaving the UK due to antisemitism, since 7 October, when Hamas launched their deadly terrorist attack in southern Israel.

A huge crowd walks shoulder to shoulder to #MarchAgainstAntisemitism.

What an incredible sight. pic.twitter.com/InngFbzE0a

— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) November 26, 2023

More than six in ten British Jews have either personally experienced or witnessed an antisemitic incident since 7th October or know somebody who has.

Only 16% of British Jews believe that the police treat antisemitic hate crime like other forms of hate crime, with two thirds believing that the police apply a double standard.

A staggering 90% of British Jews say that they would avoid travelling to a city centre if a major anti-Israel demonstration was taking place there. Our urban centres have become no-go zones for Jews.

Gideon Falter, Chief Executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said, “Week after week, central London has become a no-go zone for Jews. We have witnessed mass criminality, including glorification of terrorism, support for banned terrorist organisations such as Hamas, and incitement to racial or religious hatred against Jews.

“The sad truth is that Jews do not feel safe in our capital city. We now also have empirical data that also proves this to be the case, with ninety percent of Jews saying that they avoid urban areas when these demonstrations are taking place. The only way to change this is for the law to be enforced, as we have been demanding for weeks.

Over 50,000 people (and counting) have gathered in London for today's (November 26) #MarchAgainstAntisemitism. This is the largest gathering of British Jews in 20 years. The time to #StandUpToHatred is NOW. pic.twitter.com/ff3u9mcy0l

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) November 26, 2023

“This is why today’s march, drawing tens of thousands in the largest gathering against antisemitism since the Battle of Cable Street a lifetime ago in 1936, was so important. The voice of decency has been heard today, and it is a voice that demands action. British Jews do not believe that the police treat antisemitic hate crime like other forms of hate crime. It is past time that the police prove them wrong.

“Antisemitism is up by over 1,000%, and the effect is worse than ever, with almost 70% of British Jews hiding their Jewish identity and almost half of the community considering leaving the country due to antisemitism. Britain is at an inflection point. If the authorities believe that our streets and our country should be safe for all Britons – including British Jews – they must act against hate before it’s too late.”