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. The Standing Strong: Extinguish Antisemitism rally, backed by more than 30 Jewish groups, drew thousands to Whitehall. Conservative and Liberal Democrat party leaders, alongside Labour and Reform representatives, addressed a crowd studded with Israeli and Union Jack flags and placards reading 'Where is Keir?'.
Political Leaders Address the Crowd
Labour's Pat McFadden was met with boos and shouts of 'Where is Starmer?' as he took the stage. The work and pensions secretary said: 'I hear your anger, I hear your pain, I stand against antisemitism, I stand with you.' There were also boos for the Liberal Democrats' Ed Davey, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice were mostly greeted with cheers and applause.
Interfaith Support
Ahead of the rally, British Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Hindu, and Zoroastrian religious leaders signed an open letter describing antisemitism as 'a problem for all of us to fix'. Strict security measures were in place around Whitehall, with protesters passing through metal detectors and a visible security presence.
Personal Stories of Fear
Among those attending was 91-year-old Lionel Blumenthal, who traveled from Golders Green, north London, to show solidarity. 'I'm angry and horrified, this is not the country I grew up in, I no longer feel safe,' said Blumenthal. He noted the mood in his area is one of anger, worry, and uncertainty. 'I think it's important that all sections of the British community and particularly the politicians should come together and denounce antisemitism.'
Security Concerns
After the north London attack, the UK's terrorism threat level was raised to 'severe' by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre. In April, antisemitic hate crimes in London reached their highest level in two years, according to Metropolitan police data. The force recently committed to deploying 100 extra officers to protect Jewish communities.
Political Responses
Badenoch told the crowd: 'I'm not here to do politics today.' She drew parallels between the 'same terror' of the 7 October 2023 attack in Israel and the kidnapping of schoolgirls in her birthplace Nigeria in 2014. 'I am most worried about the growth of extremism and terror around the world,' she said. 'I stand with you, millions stand with you, Britain has been a sanctuary for Jewish people and it must always be.'
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said 'we are going to fight to make sure people do feel safe in our country' as he called for changes to the Prevent counter-terrorism programme, a zero-tolerance approach from police, and the proscription of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Reform's Tice was cheered as he accused Labour of an 'absence of courage, of leadership', adding that 'the scourge of antisemitism has been allowed to flourish in our country'.
Voices from the Crowd
Attendees called for increased security for the Jewish community and an end to 'hate marches' in London, referring to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Geraldine Hoynicki, 72, said she has never felt unsafe until this year. 'Because there have been so many unfortunate incidents against Jews, and it continues,' she said. She believed the prime minister should have attended the rally but thought it 'unlikely' because 'he's too busy worrying about his backside'.
Controversy Over Invitations
Ahead of the rally, a letter with over 2,000 signatories called on organisers to withdraw an invitation to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Organisers defended the decision, citing Reform's increased presence in parliament and 'broad support' in fighting antisemitism. The Green party leader, Zack Polanski, was not invited due to allegations he has not done enough to root out antisemitism from the party.
A Green party spokesperson said antisemitism requires a cross-party effort and for politicians to reduce tensions rather than escalate them, adding: 'It does feel like the world is upside down when Reform are invited to be part of an initiative to tackle antisemitism but the Green party – and its Jewish leader – aren't.'
For London resident Eliza Black, 26, the focus on which politicians were invited missed the point. 'We're coming here because there was a stabbing two weeks ago, it doesn't really matter who is and who isn't invited,' she said. 'This is a human right – about tolerance, about being able to be religious, identify as being Jewish and feel safe to walk down the streets.'
