Jules Konopinski, a Jewish veteran of the street battles fought against Oswald Mosley’s fascist mobs in the 1950s and 60s has died aged 93.

A “true hero” to the community, Konopinski was part of the well-known antifascist fighters collective, the 43 Group.

image-1

Jules Konopinski as a young man (Konopinski Family Personal Collection)

Sam Needleman, one of the last surviving members of the group, paid tribute to his friend, a founding member.

He said: “Jules was a great character, a courageous brave fighter. With his passing, I am now the last surviving member, left with many memories, including as an eight-year-old in 1936 partaking in the famous battle of Cable Street.

Konopinski was born in Breslau, Germany, in 1930 and came to Britain with his mother in 1939.

He escaped the Nazis only to face down fascists on the streets of London when he was 17 alongside Jewish ex-servicemen, and others.

image

Jules Konopinski and Harry Kaufman (Gabriella Sonabend)

In an interview with The Guardian in 2020 he described escaping Nazi Germany “by the skin of my teeth.”

By the time he had made it to London he had lost nine uncles and aunts in the death camps. "Then,” Konopinski said, “we saw the revival of something we thought we’d killed off in the war.”

The 43 Group was set up in April 1946 at Maccabi House, in Hampstead, north London.

It pledged to stop fascism by physical means if necessary and grew from 43 to more than 1,000 members, including famous names such as hairdresser Vidal Sassoon.

Jeffrey Bernard addresses 43 Group Meeting

A43 Group AGM, featuring group's co-chairman Jeffrey Bernard and Gerry Flamberg.

Describing the groups disruption of racist rallies and confrontation of fascists in 2020, Konopinski said: “There was a lot of violence, but it was justified.

“I enjoy debating and discussing, but when you’re dealing with thugs, the rabble on the street, you can’t talk to them. We were defending our communities. It was a necessary defence.”

Community Security Trust chief executive Mark Gardner said Konopinski was “a true hero to our community”.

He added: “A founding member of the UK Jewish anti-fascist 43 Group and 62 Group that precede CST, Jules bravely fought to defend British Jews. We wish his family a long life and, in his honour, reaffirm our commitment to protecting our community.”