Will you march with us on Sunday to stamp out antisemitism? - The Jewish Chronicle

On Sunday, September 7, tens of thousands will take to the streets of London for Britain’s March Against Antisemitism.

A few days ago, I found my late grandparents’ old prayer book. The spine was battered and worn, and as I turned its fragile pages, I came to the prayer for the royal family, from “Our Sovereign Lord, King George” through to the young Princess Elizabeth, as she then was when it was published.

Do people in this country know what Jews get up to in synagogue? Do they know that the service pauses and the congregation stands for this prayer? That we recite this prayer standing, in every synagogue, of every denomination, every week, as Jews have done in this country for generation after generation? They don’t know because we do it not for show, but out of conviction. And as we pray, people outside shriek for “intifada” and trample the British way of life.

This same prayer has been printed century after century, through the Battle of Cable Street, when the British Union of Fascists fought hand-to-hand with Jews and our allies in London, through world wars in which British Jews have proudly fought beneath the Union Flag, through the Holocaust and its aftermath, through the birth of the State of Israel (the prayer for “all Israel” refers not to the state, which had not yet been declared, but to the people, for we are the children of Jacob, later known as Israel), and through the aftermath of October 7 and the explosion of antisemitism on our streets and screens.

Now, a kippah has become a target. Jewish parents tell their children to tuck in their star of David necklace

No matter the trial or triumph, British Jews like my grandparents have never stopped praying for this United Kingdom, nor lost faith in the decent and tolerant people of this land.

We have heeded the words of our prophet Jeremiah, who commanded us in the biblical days of city states to “seek the peace of the city where I have exiled you and pray for it to the Lord, for in its peace you shall have peace”.

Britain is no city state. It is a mighty and goodly nation that has lost its way. This great country’s strength and values have been eaten away by decades of self doubt.

Now, a kippah has become a target. Jewish parents tell their children to tuck in their star of David necklace. As people glorify medieval terrorists baying for our blood, our institutions are inert or perverse. The police arrest those who call Hamas terrorists and tell Jews like me that by being “quite openly Jewish”, we are being “antagonistic”.

The Charity Commission fails to tackle Islamist charities, and universities are hotbeds of hatred. NHS nurses wear extreme symbols and their colleagues do nothing. The very social and political fabric of our country is unravelling right before our eyes.

But this is still the land of Churchill that stood firm against evil, not only out of self-preservation but on principle. Its people seem to be waking up, realising that extremism is taking root.

So, this proud British Jew is asking you to make a choice and join Britain’s March Against Antisemitism at 1pm in central London on September 7.

I am asking you, not only in my name, but in the name of my late grandparents, who would stand bolt upright, eyes tearing up in pride at the national anthem, and who taught their children and grandchildren to love this land and defend its values. You will be joining people of all faiths and political persuasions in an appeal to the authorities to find the strength and resolve to defend Britain’s values: to stand up to extremism and Jew-hatred. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.

I urge you to join us on September 7. Bring your friends, bring your families, bring your voices. Let us show, beyond doubt, that we will not be cowed by antisemites and extremists or those who excuse or enable them.
We will take a stand. Will you?

To register, go to: antisemitism.org/march

Gideon Falter is chief executive at Campaign Against Antisemitism

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