Brits Rally Against Antisemitism
British Jews and supporters are set to gather opposite Downing Street on Sunday for the Standing Strong rally against antisemitism, amid growing alarm over a series of violent attacks and arson incidents targeting the Jewish community.
British Jews and supporters are set to gather opposite Downing Street on Sunday for the Standing Strong rally against antisemitism, amid growing alarm over a series of violent attacks and arson incidents targeting the Jewish community.
The rally, scheduled for 1 p.m. in central London, is being held under the slogan “Britain stands with British Jews.” Organizers have called on people of all backgrounds who oppose antisemitism to attend.
The event is backed by a broad coalition of Jewish communal organizations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council, Campaign Against Antisemitism, StandWithUs UK, the Union of Jewish Students, Maccabi GB, JNF, the National Holocaust Museum, Masorti Judaism, Progressive Judaism and the Office of the Chief Rabbi.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis is among the figures expected to speak.
Security restrictions will be in place. Organizers said entry will only be possible through the Trafalgar Square end of Whitehall, and bags will not be allowed.
The rally comes after several recent antisemitic attacks in Britain, including the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, the murder of two Jews at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, and multiple arson attacks targeting Jewish sites and organizations.
The Board of Deputies said the Jewish community is facing “one of the most challenging periods in recent memory” and warned that antisemitism is “out of control in Britain.”
“This is a rally about Britain,” the group said. “About what it now feels like to be a Jewish child walking to school in this country. To wear a kippah on the tube. To be on security at a synagogue. To be the only Jewish family on the road.”
Campaign Against Antisemitism said the rally was intended to express communal anger and demand government action, arguing that Britain must confront extremists “to save itself and its Jews.”
Political leaders were also invited, including Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and Reform leader Nigel Farage.
Farage’s invitation drew criticism from some British Jews. More than 2,200 people signed an open letter calling on the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council to withdraw the invitation, citing what they described as his record of divisive and inflammatory rhetoric.
The letter was organized by We Democracy, a grassroots group of UK Israelis and British Jews. A Reform source said Farage was not disinvited but would not attend for other reasons.