Thousands of people gathered outside Downing Street on Sunday to protest an increase in antisemitic hate crimes and violence, as senior politicians and interfaith leaders called for unity.<\/p>\n
The Standing Strong: Extinguish Antisemitism<\/a> rally, backed by more than 30 Jewish groups, drew thousands of people to Whitehall, as Conservative and Liberal Democrat party leaders, alongside Labour and Reform representatives, addressed a crowd studded with Israeli and union jack flags and \u2018Where is Keir?\u2019 placards.<\/p>\n The rally was organised in response to a marked increase in antisemitic 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 relation to the stabbings.<\/p>\n Kemi Badenoch speaking at the rally. Photograph: Antonio Olmos\/The Guardian<\/p>\n Labour\u2019s Pat McFadden was met with boos and shouts of \u201cWhere is Starmer?\u201d as he took to the stage. The work and pensions secretary said: \u201cI hear your anger, I hear your pain, I stand against antisemitism, I stand with you.\u201d There were also boos for the Liberal Democrats\u2019 Ed Davey, while the Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, and the Reform UK deputy leader, Richard Tice, were mostly greeted with cheers and applause.<\/p>\n Ahead of the rally, British Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Zoroastrian religious leaders signed an open letter describing antisemitism as \u201ca problem for all of us to fix\u201d.<\/p>\n Strict security measures were in place around Whitehall as protesters passed through metal detectors and encountered a visible security presence. Among those attending was 91-year-old Lionel Blumenthal, who travelled from Golders Green, north London<\/a>, to show solidarity against antisemitism.<\/p>\n Lionel Blumenthal, 91, at the rally. Photograph: Antonio Olmos\/The Guardian<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m angry and horrified, this is not the country I grew up in, I no longer feel safe,\u201d said Blumenthal, who said the mood in his north London area has been one of anger, worry and uncertainty over the future. \u201cIt means I have to be that much more cautious than I was before, I can\u2019t take for granted my security, my safety.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI think it\u2019s important that all sections of the British community and particularly of the politicians should come together and denounce antisemitism.\u201d<\/p>\n After the north London attack, the UK\u2019s terrorism threat level was raised to \u201csevere\u201d by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, indicating an attack was considered highly likely. In April, the number of antisemitic hate crimes in London reached its highest level in two years, according to data from the Metropolitan police, which recently committed to deploying 100 extra officers<\/a> to protect Jewish communities.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not here to do politics today,\u201d Badenoch told the crowd. The Conservative leader drew parallels between the \u201csame terror\u201d of the 7 October 2023 attack in Israel and the kidnapping of schoolgirls in her birthplace Nigeria in 2014.<\/p>\n \u201cI am most worried about the growth of extremism and terror around the world,\u201d she said. \u201cI stand with you, millions stand with you, Britain has been a sanctuary for Jewish people and it must always be.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lib Dem leader, Ed Davey, said \u201cwe are going to fight to make sure people do feel safe in our country\u201d as he called for changes to the Prevent counter-terrorism programme, a zero-tolerance approach from police toward antisemitism and the proscription of Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard Corps.<\/p>\n Richard Tice: \u2018The scourge of antisemitism has been allowed to flourish in our country.\u2019 Photograph: Antonio Olmos\/The Guardian<\/p>\n Reform\u2019s Tice was cheered as he accused Labour of an \u201cabsence of courage, of leadership\u201d, adding that \u201cthe scourge of antisemitism has been allowed to flourish in our country\u201d.<\/p>\n Attenders who spoke to the Guardian called for an increased security presence for the Jewish community, and an end to \u201chate marches\u201d in London, referring to pro-Palestinian supporters who have taken to the capital\u2019s streets calling for an end to Israel\u2019s war on Gaza.<\/p>\n One of those in the crowd, Geraldine Hoynicki, said that as a member of the Jewish community she has never felt unsafe in her 72 years, until this year. \u201cBecause there have been so many unfortunate incidents against Jews, and it continues,\u201d said Hoynicki.<\/p>\n Greraldine Hoynicki at the rally. Photograph: Antonio Olmos\/The Guardian<\/p>\n The Northampton resident said the prime minister should have attended the rally, though believed it \u201cunlikely\u201d because \u201che\u2019s too busy worrying about his backside\u201d. She said the government has not done \u201cnearly enough\u201d to combat antisemitism, but said \u201cthey are showing willingness\u201d, adding, \u201cthat is something we have to be grateful for\u201d.<\/p>\n Ahead of the rally, a letter with more than 2,000 signatories called on the organisers to withdraw an invitation to the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, and ensure the event would reflect values of \u201cinclusion and solidarity\u201d.<\/p>\n