Tens of Thousands Participate in London's March Against Antisemitism

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Facts

  • Tens of thousands participated in London’s first large-scale demonstration against antisemitism on Sunday since Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7.1
  • More than 100K people participated in the march — the largest demonstration against antisemitism since 1936. The event was in response to an uptick of antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Gaza conflict erupted. The Jewish Chronicle reported 1,124 antisemitic incidents between Oct. 7 and Nov. 7 — a 500% increase.2
  • Organized by Campaign Against Antisemitism, Gideon Falter, the institution’s chief executive, stated that the rally came after weeks of pro-Palestine protests that made London a “no-go zone for Jews.” Former UK PM Boris Johnson joined UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and other prominent leaders during the demonstration.3
  • Tommy Robinson, founder of the English Defence League, was pepper sprayed and arrested during the event. Its organizers reportedly feared that his presence would “cause fear for other participants.” Robinson said he was attending the march as a journalist.4
  • Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was criminally charged for failing to leave when Metropolitan police asked him to. He was released from custody Monday and will appear in court over the incident on Jan. 22.5
  • PM Rishi Sunak released a statement condemning antisemitism “in all its forms.” A day earlier, 18 people were arrested in London during a pro-Palestine rally.6

Sources: 1Reuters, 2FOX News, 3Associated Press, 4The Guardian, 5Daily Mail (a) and 6Daily Mail (b).

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by The Gateway Pundit. The people of London marched in solidarity with the Jewish people against antisemitism following Hamas’ barbaric attack on Israeli civilians. However, the powerful and peaceful message of the event has been stained by the arrest of Tommy Robinson, a man who did nothing wrong. Robinson was simply looking to cover the event as a journalist, but was prohibited. Pro-Hamas savages have taken over London for weeks, targeting Jews and others, yet Metropolitan police are focused on arresting a peaceful journalist because of his politics.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Huffington Post. Far-right provocateur Tommy Robinson infiltrated the march against antisemitism and resisted arrest when police asked him to leave. The far-right is trying to co-opt the pro-Israel cause, and there was reason to believe that Robinson’s presence could have ignited violence at the demonstration. Tensions are at an all-time high, and police have a duty to keep people safe.