A demonstration against the antisemitic graffiti in Hampstead and Belsize Park descended into farce after an organiser was heard warning about the presence of “Zionist journalists” at the event, organised by the far-left Socialist Workers Party (SWP).

Sasha Simic, who was wearing a yellow vest bearing the logo of Stand Up To Racism, an SWP-linked organisation, was overheard by the JC referring to a “Zionist” who he suggested was attending the event on Monday evening.

Mr Simic, who has been a member of the SWP’s Hackney branch, did not respond to the JC on Tuesday when asked to clarify his comments.

A group of young Jewish counter protesters began to sing Israeli anthem, the Hatikvah, after they voiced objections to one attendee for wearing a large pro-BDS badge on his hat.

But they were shouted down by activists at the vigil.

Flags of the fringe, pro-Corbyn group Jewish Voice For Labour were flown at the event, hours after someone posted to its Facebook page that the graffiti could be a “Zionist disinformation campaign”.

Local Jewish residents who stumbled across the event, which was attended by around 150 people, expressed anger about the speeches made on the night, including one by children’s author Michael Rosen.

The location of the demonstration, which was held next door to two kosher restaurants, was outside one of the buildings targeted by the graffiti vandals.

It also led to angry exchanges of words between the organisers and Jewish business owners.

One restaurant owner, who gave his name Alex, told the JC: "I’ve made it clear I don’t want these people here. They don’t speak for me."

Another local, who was returning from work and gave his name only as Jonathan, told the JC: "How dare these people stand here and claim to be speaking out on behalf of Jewish people facing the reality of antisemitism.

“I have listened to these speeches and every single one has failed to address the reality of anti-Jewish racism.

“They are seriously suggesting that if Jews turn all their attention to campaigning against Islamophobia, and other forms of racism then somehow things are going to be alright.”

Another women, who had travelled from Finchley to the demo believing it to be a legitimate protest against the rise of anti-Jewish racism, later wrote on social media: “Just had the misfortune to come to what I thought was a rally against antisemitic graffiti in Hampstead.

“Just had lecture from two people on the evils of Israel.”

The woman, who called herself Mrs Finchley on Twitter, added: “I was too shocked by the conversations I had with two women who both spoke to me about Israel.

“One told me the meeting was organised by the SWP. One man was shouting about BDS.”

In his speech, Mr Rosen claimed the event was an example of “unity in action.” Repeatedly using the expression “chaverim”, the author read out a poem but also said it was “hard” for some to attend “a meeting like this.”

Rob Ferguson, a member of Newham SWP, said in his speech that arguments about the establishment of the state of Israel would have “made no difference at the gates of Auschwitz”.

He said: “My family includes Jews who were pro-Israel, who were not pro-Israel… who are religious, who are socialist, who are non-socialist.”

At one point, steward Mr Simic was overheard encouraging organisers to invite Herschel Gluck, the Charedi Shomrim president to address the crowd.

When the JC asked Rabbi Gluck about his decision to speak, he said he had spent his lifetime “fighting antisemitism.”

Another Hampstead resident described how she had been “screamed at” by one activist wearing a keffiyah who said “Israel is an apartheid state”.

She added: “Two years ago I had the misfortune to wonder into the Al Quds Day march in central London.

“I would describe the atmosphere at Monday’s vigil as being very similar to the open hatred which I had encountered back then.”

Also present at Monday’s event was a paper seller from the Revolutionary Communist Group, which has repeatedly called for “no concession to Zionism” which they have called “racism through and through”.

Another speaker was Dr Louise Raw, who had earlier attacked human rights lawyer Adam Wagner on social media for saying he had joined the Jewish Labour Movement, calling him an "arch conservative" who lacked any "honest or legitimate motivation" for wanting to vote in the Labour leadership election.

Mr Wagner reacted to the news she spoke at Monday's event by saying: "It is *so* weird how people can behave in such bizarrely incongruous ways when it comes to this issue."

Dr Raw, a historian, retweeted after the general election a claim that “Mossad” were behind allegations of antisemitism in Labour.

Mr Simic has written on social media the “antisemitism smear has shown lies and liars win.” He also wrote that the “people of Palestine are paying for European racism”.

On Tuesday, Weyman Bennett, a member of the SWP’s central committee and co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism, told the JC that he disassociated himself from any comments about “Zionist journalists”.

Mr Bennett added: “Anyone who is opposed to antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism is welcome to attend Stand Up To Racism events whether they are Zionist and non Zionist.”