March Against Antisemitism

2023 demonstration in London

Not to be confused with March for the Republic and Against Antisemitism.

March Against Antisemitism

Date| 26 November 2023 (2023-11-26)
Venue| Royal Courts of Justice
Location| London, United Kingdom
Participants| 50,000-100,000

The March Against Antisemitism was a demonstration held in London on 26 November 2023 organized by Campaign Against Antisemitism.[1][2] The march was held in response to growing antisemitism in England resulting from the Israeli–Palestinian conflict; as police reports indicated that antisemitic offences have risen ten-fold compared to the previous year.[3] Estimates from police indicate that between 50,000[3] and 100,000 people attended the march.[4] It was claimed by the organisation to be "the largest gathering of its kind since the Battle of Cable Street".[5] Demonstrators held placards containing slogans such as "shoulder to shoulder with British Jews" and "never again."

The March Against Antisemitism followed a London-based pro-Palestine rally in Central London with approximately 45,000 attendees[3] led by the Stop the War Coalition. The coalition "stressed that those taking part oppose racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia".[6] On the other hand, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, Gideon Falter, claimed that "week after week, central London has become a no-go zone for Jews," [7] and the campaign later produced polling findings suggesting that "90% of British Jews say that they would avoid travelling to a city centre if a major anti-Israel demonstration was taking place there" [8][9] Antisemitic hate crimes had increased dramatically during the period, with 554 reports of antisemitic offences in London between 1 October and 1 November in London, compared with 44 in the same period last year.[10]

Having been shunned by the organisers and refusing to leave the event per police request, English far-right activist Tommy Robinson was detained. Sources indicate that one other individual was arrested for racist rhetoric.[2] The chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, Gideon Falter, remarked: "You don’t fight prejudice with prejudice, you can’t fight racism with racism… They don’t realise how naked their attempt is to try to fool us."[11]

## Notable attendees

[edit]

* Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson[4]
* Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis[6]
* Science minister Peter Kyle[2]
* Security minister Tom Tugendhat[1]
* Immigration minister Robert Jenrick[1]
* Actress Louisa Clein[1]
* Actress Felicity Kendal[1]
* Actress Elliot Levey[1]
* Actress Dame Maureen Lipman[4]
* Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman[1]
* Comedian David Baddiel[2]
* TV presenter Rachel Riley[1]
* TV personality Robert Rinder[1]
* Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz[1]
* Singer Rita
* Actor Eddie Marsan

## Criticism

[edit]

The British Jewish organisation Na'amod released a statement about their decision not to attend the March, in which they said: "we know this march is not just about antisemitism. It’s clear from the event description that CAA has organised this march in response to huge weekly ceasefire demonstrations in London." Na'amod publicly denied CAA's characterisations of prior ceasefire marches as featuring antisemitic rhetoric, saying "This could not be further from the truth. Pitting Jewish safety against Palestinian freedom doesn’t make Jews safer; it makes fighting antisemitism harder."[12]

That said, the event was supported by most mainstream Jewish organisations, including the Jewish Leadership Council, Board of Deputies, and the Chair of the United Synagogue. The President of the Board of Deputies also attended. [It was later reported that some members of Na’amod regretted boycotting in the march[citation needed]].[13]

## See also

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* March for the Republic and Against Antisemitism

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "100,000 attend UK's largest protest against antisemitism since Battle of Cable Street". Jewish News. 26 November 2023. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
2. ^ a b c d Kadri, Anisa; Williams, Nathan (26 November 2023). "Thousands march against antisemitism in London". BBC. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
3. ^ a b c Thomas, Natalie; Schomberg, William (26 November 2023). Heavens, Louise (ed.). "March against antisemitism draws 50,000 in London". Reuters. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
4. ^ a b c Pinkstone, Joe; Lampert, Nicole (26 November 2023). Smallman, Etan; Nicholls, Dominic (eds.). "Police estimate 100,000 people at March Against Antisemitism". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
5. ^ "Thousands march against antisemitism in London". BBC News. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
6. ^ a b Hui, Sylvia; Ha, Kwiyeon (26 November 2023). "Tens of thousands march against antisemitism in London including UK ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson". AP. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
7. ^ Jordan, Eliana. "Record numbers expected at march against antisemitism". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
8. ^ "Adviser warns London a 'no-go zone for Jews every weekend'". BBC News. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
9. ^ Jonathan (27 November 2023). "Almost 70% of British Jews are hiding their identity and almost half have considered leaving Britain since 7th October, new CAA polling shows". Campaign Against Antisemitism. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
10. ^ "Thousands march against antisemitism in London". BBC News. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
11. ^ Bray, Elisa. "Our demo shows Britain still has its soul says March Against Antisemitism organiser". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
12. ^ Butt, Maira (26 November 2023). "Tens of thousands attend march against antisemitism in London". The Independent. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
13. ^ Harpin, Lee (4 April 2024). "Na'amod founder says its main focus is to 'de-centre Israel from Judaism'". Jewish News. Retrieved 28 June 2024.