A government minister is likely to join this weekend’s rally against antisemitism, Downing Street sources have told the JC.
On Wednesday, the Times reported that Sir Keir Starmer may be joining the “Britain Stands with British Jews” event scheduled for this Sunday.
The paper also said that Kemi Badenoch was expected to speak at it and that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey had also been invited.
However, No10 sources the JC spoke to said it was unlikely that Starmer would be addressing the demonstration.
Instead, they suggested it was more likely that a government minister other than the prime minister would speak at the rally outside Downing Street.
The protest, which takes place this Sunday at 1pm and is backed by communal organisations including the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), Board of Deputies and Union of Jewish Students.
One of the speakers is set to be the Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, who in the JC this week called for action in the face of rising antisemitism and terror attacks on the Jewish community.
“Hate preaching must be faced down. The platforms that have made Jew-hatred normal must be held accountable. The threat from the far right, the far left and from Islamism must be called out and tackled. The Iranian regime, which has been targeting British citizens on British soil, must face real consequences, starting with proscription of the IRGC and expulsion of its ambassador. If any other minority community were being targeted by a foreign state, a response would have been immediate. We ask for nothing more than the same standard”, he wrote.
Other senior progressive rabbis are also likely to feature as speakers.
The JLC said that the rally was necessary to face down rising anti-Jewish extremism, which is now a major problem in Britain.
The organisation’s chair Keith Black said: "For two and a half years we have warned about the staggering rise in antisemitism in this country. Yet, antisemitism in Britain is not just rising, it is escalating into deadly acts of violence and terror.
He continued: “This Sunday at 1pm, people will gather outside Downing Street to stand against this hatred and face down extremists. It should not just be Jews who turn up. British values are being challenged by antisemites, and we have to stand against it together."
Adrian Cohen, Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, also called on British society to join in the fight against antisemitism.
“Antisemitism must be challenged wherever it appears, without hesitation. It must be defeated – action is essential", he said.
When contacted for comment, a Downing Street spokesperson said that details of the prime minister’s movements would be set out in the usual manner.
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