Large Anti-Semitism Protest Held in London
Tens of thousands of people, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, gathered in London on Sunday for a large march against anti-Semitism. Mr. Johnson was joined by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and other senior government officials to express solidarity with the Jewish community. Organizers described the event as the largest anti-Semitism gathering in London for almost a century. The marchers waved Israeli flags and Union Jacks, and held placards with messages like “Never Again Is Now” and “Zero Tolerance for anti-Semites.” The march was organized amid concerns about rising tensions sparked by the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza.
Malcolm Canning, 75, from London expressed his concern, saying, “Anything associated with the Jewish religion now feels that they’re under attack and they have to look after themselves, have their own security. I never thought this would get to this stage in this country. And it’s very, very upsetting to see.”
Gideon Falter, the chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said that anti-Semitic incidents in the UK have surged since the war began, and condemned what he called “appalling” placards seen at the protests.
Anti-Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, was detained by police for refusing to comply with a direction to disperse under Section 35 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act. According to the Metropolitan Police, Mr. Robinson “refused to comply with a direction to disperse under Section 35 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act.” He was warned several times to leave the area, but he refused to do so.
