Political leaders have been invited to a rally opposing antisemitism on Sunday, with British Jews hoping the “silent majority” will join them for a “million mensch march” across central London. The event, organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism, will convene outside Downing Street at 1pm.
Key Political Figures Invited
The prime minister, Keir Starmer, is considering attending the Standing Strong: Extinguish Antisemitism rally, which is backed by more than 30 Jewish groups. The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, is expected to speak, while the Liberal Democrats’ leader, Ed Davey, has also been invited. However, the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, and the Green party leader, Zack Polanski, have not been invited.
Background of Violence
The rally has been organised in response to months of antisemitic violence, including multiple arson attacks on Jewish communities and the stabbing of two British Jews in Golders Green on 29 April. Suspected terrorist Essa Suleiman has been charged with attempted murder in relation to the stabbings. Polanski, who is Jewish, was accused of undermining police confidence by the Metropolitan police chief, Mark Rowley, after sharing a critical post about Suleiman’s arrest on social media. He later apologised for acting “in haste”.
Call for Support
Writing in the Jewish Chronicle, columnist Stephen Pollard called for non-Jewish British citizens to help the Jewish community turn the rally into “a million mensch march” – mensch being the Yiddish term for a person of integrity and exceptional character. “This is the moment for the silent majority to find its voice, for our fellow Brits to show the Jewish community – and the world – that they are appalled by the hatred, intimidation and violence,” Pollard wrote. “Nothing could express … support more clearly than a genuinely huge rally – having central London flooded with people saying they stand with us and abhor antisemitism.”
Controversy Over Invitations
While the Jewish community is united in its opposition to antisemitism, thousands have expressed concern about the inclusion of Reform’s Nigel Farage among the invitees. Critics have pointed not only to claims of antisemitism made against Farage, but also to his often stated animosity towards immigrants, including refugees. Many British Jews are descendants of refugees who emigrated to the UK after the Holocaust and other periods of persecution.
Dr Ruvi Ziegler, a British-Israeli professor at the University of Reading, condemned the inclusion of Reform in the rally: “The far right, from criminal activist Tommy Robinson to Reform party politicians, are offering Jews a bear hug.” Ziegler and others from the grassroots organisation We Democracy have coordinated an open letter to the organisers – the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council – raising concerns about the inclusion of Reform UK.
The letter, signed by more than 2,000 people, calls for the withdrawal of the invitation to Farage and insists that the event must reflect the values of “dignity, accountability, inclusion and solidarity”. “The fight against antisemitism must be rooted in solidarity, moral consistency and opposition to all forms of racism and hatred,” the letter states. “It should be led by people who build trust and unity, not by political figures whose public record has repeatedly been associated with division, scapegoating, racism and inflammatory rhetoric.”
Organisers’ Response
Michael Wegier, executive director of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, told Haaretz that Reform UK “is a serious party with many supporters, local councillors, and an increasing number of members of Parliament from month to month, which cannot be ignored. They have also expressed very broad support for the fight against antisemitism. There was no way we would not invite them.” He added: “We did not invite the Greens’ Zack Polanski because we very strongly do not believe he has done enough to root out antisemitism from his party.”
A spokesperson for the Jewish Leadership Council said: “We hope Sunday’s rally will be a demonstration of support for the Jewish community from across British society. As part of this, speakers will represent a range of organisations across political and religious spectrums.”
A Green party spokesperson responded: “Antisemitism needs a cross-party effort and politicians of all parties have a responsibility to reduce tensions and division, not escalate them. 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.”
Interfaith Support
Ahead of the rally, British Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Zoroastrian religious leaders signed an open letter describing antisemitism towards Jewish people as “a problem for all of us to fix”. The letter added: “We come together today to send a message to our Jewish brothers and sisters. This country belongs to you as much as any of us. You are as British as all of us who call this country home. And we will do everything we can to protect you and your community from the extremists who threaten you.” The letter, coordinated by the Together Coalition, was also signed by prominent business organisations, sporting bodies, charities and media leaders.
