70,000 join Britain’s March Against Antisemitism as antisemitism at record levels, but Government declines to attend

Today, Campaign Against Antisemitism, backed by major Jewish communal organisations, led an estimated 70,000 in Britain’s March Against Antisemitism from the BBC to Parliament Square, where they were addressed by the Chief Rabbi, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and Deputy Leader of Reform UK Richard Tice, author and journalist Jake Wallis Simons, CAA Chief Executive Gideon Falter and Tali, a Jewish student at King’s College London.

We were also joined by Spectator editor and former Minister Lord (Michael) Gove, Shadow Attorney General Lord (David) Wolfson, Lord (Toby) Young), Lord (David) Gold, Lord (Ian) Austin, Lady Valerie Mirvis, MPs including Joani Reid, actress Louisa Clein, Maj. Andrew Fox, producer Leo Pearlman, author and influencer Dov Forman, Jewish community leaders and non-Jewish allies from Our Fight UK, and others.

Noticeably absent was a representative of His Majesty’s Government, despite antisemitism reaching record highs in the UK, with a shocking one fifth of British adults now holding entrenched antisemitic views – rising to a terrifying 40% among 18-24 year olds.

The March began behind the BBC on Hallam Street, stopped at Broadcasting House, travelled down Regent Street past Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus before reaching Trafalgar Square, proceeding down Whitehall and past the Cenotaph and ending with a rally at Parliament Square.

Comedian and broadcaster Josh Howie addressed the crowd outside the BBC, saying: “Again and again we’ve come to the BBC, pleading not for favouritism but that they do their job. That when it comes to Jews, they simply tell the truth. And each time they never change. In fact the situation has only gotten worse.”

At Parliament Square, the crowd heard first from the Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, who said: “These are awful times. We have seen an explosion of hatred right across the UK. Antisemitism is rife right across the UK. You will see it. You will hear it. You will feel it. Britain, wake up now.”

Next to speak was Tali, a Jewish Student at King’s College London, who recounted her harrowing ordeal as a first year student, including being told: “Bitch get down”; “You’re not the messiah you think you are”; “The Zionists are actually everywhere”; “As a group, we should just band together and carry her out.” You can read (and quote from) and watch Tali’s full story here.

The crowd then heard from Gideon Falter, Chief Executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, who said: “The question now it’s not whether we will thrive but will British Jews thrive here.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp addressed the crowd, saying: “On campuses, up and down the country like Tali told us, Jewish students are being abused and persecuted. It is immoral what is happening, and the fact that university authorities are standing by and doing nothing is shameful.” He added: “We’re here to say enough. We’re here to say no more… I am here to tell you that you are not alone. I stand with you. We stand with you. We will end this evil.”

Then the rally heard from Deputy Leader of Reform UK Richard Tice, who said: “This nation will be safe and it will be free. I don’t want a single Jewish person to feel like they have to leave. The sad truth is, we shouldn’t need to be here at all. There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that if those marches had been banned as they had in other countries we would not have seen the increase of antisemitism in this country. We need to stand United. United as proud Britons.”

Last to take the stage was author and journalist Jake Wallis Simons, who said: “We didn’t ask for this but since October 7th, the Jews and our allies have become the conscience of the nation. Betray the Jews and you betray Britain. Betray the Jews and you betray the west. Betray the Jews and you betray yourself. With extremism raising its ugly head above societies it’s the future of the West truly hanging in the balance. Stand up for the Jews. Stand up for the west. And for the love of G-d stand up for yourself.”

The crowd was led in song by Cantors Steven Leas and Yossi Binstock, who also blew the shofar (ram’s horn), which is customary as we approach the Jewish New Year. It is a clarion call to wake up, and no message is more important right now for Britain.

In memory of the murdered 1,200 of 7th October 2023 and to maintain awareness of those who remain captive in the dungeons of Gaza, a minute’s silence was also held.

Background on the Government’s absence

Weeks ago, Campaign Against Antisemitism reached out to the Government, the Opposition and, given its position in the national polls, Reform UK, to send high-ranking and relevant representatives to address the Jewish community at this perilous time for British Jews and our country.

The Opposition and Reform UK obliged with the Shadow Home Secretary and Deputy Leader respectively. The Labour Government, however, dragged its feet. Last Thursday evening, we were informed that it is not the Government’s policy to provide representatives to marches and rallies – despite the Conservative Government sending Ministers to previous marches and Labour, when in Opposition, sending Shadow Secretaries of State.

Labour offered a backbench peer instead, who would represent the Labour Party. As this came at the last minute and did not fulfil our requirement for a representative of the Government – let alone a high-ranking official with a relevant portfolio – we could not accommodate this suggestion.

Note that all this took place before the resignation of the Deputy Prime Minister and the reshuffle. Had it taken place after, it may have been more forgivable.

There were a number of MPs, including from Labour and other parties, marching with us, for which we are grateful, but they were not present as representatives of the Government.

The Government’s scandalous decision not to send someone to address the Jewish community at a time of the worst antisemitism in the UK in living memory will do nothing to reassure British Jews that this Government has their back or even understands the scale of the crisis.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Our country is clearly at a tipping point. These are the highest antisemitism figures that we have ever recorded, having doubled in less than five years. The findings in relation to young people are nothing short of terrifying. Our young people are being radicalised into adopting hateful ideologies before our eyes. Britain will lose its soul to extremists unless the silent majority wakes up.

“The public recognises that racism against Jewish people has skyrocketed, but the authorities have abysmally failed to rise to the occasion. This is no more evident than in the Government’s scandalous decision not to send anyone to address the Jewish community. The Government’s insulting absence today will do nothing to reassure British Jews that this Government has their back or even understands the scale of the crisis.

“Politicians, police and prosecutors, regulators, media organisations, cultural institutions, universities, trade unions – they are all complicit in the creation of a climate of hatred in Britain. Jews may feel it most sharply now, but for all of us, this is not the country that we used to know. Soon it will be too late for our country to change course.”

Photo credit: Nathan Lilienfeld/Campaign Against Antisemitism