More than a dozen Jewish groups will come together in central London on May 10 to demand that antisemitism in Britain is “extinguished” after a slew of violent attacks on the community.
The Standing Strong: Extinguish Antisemitism march will bring together bodies including the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Office of the Chief Rabbi, Campaign Against Antisemitism and protest group Stop The Hate with the intention of “confronting a shared threat” and demanding action is taken to extinguish antisemitism in Britain.
CAA had originally planned a separate demonstration, with a focus on “deradicalising Britain” but ultimately decided it “made no sense” to hold two demonstrations.
Acknowledging the CAA’s change of plan, the BoD said: “We are grateful to all our partners for agreeing to come together to confront a shared threat with an important statement of unity. We recognise that a number of organisations have adapted their plans to make this happen and that is very much appreciated.”
The Board has encouraged the Jewish community, and its allies to “join the rally...and stand up against antisemitism and extremism” next weekend. The rally will begin at 1pm, with CST providing additional security.
Announcing the rally, the CAA said in a statement: “Following weeks of arson attacks, from the firebombing of synagogues to the burning down of ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity, there will be an opportunity to hear a response from Jewish community organisations, denominational leaders, and CAA on 10th May at 13:00, at the “Extinguish Antisemitism” event being held to rally the Jewish community and its allies at a central London location. The organisers will release the location in due course. Please do join us there.”
Stop The Hate said: “On May 10, the whole Jewish community will come to the door of Number 10 to call on the prime minister to act. Stop The Hate UK stands with them. Our three demands of government are clear: protect the Jewish community, police anti-Zionist hate, and prosecute antisemitism.
“We are not asking. We are demanding...Enough is enough.”
In the past two week alone there have been arson attacks on Finchley Reform Synagogue, north London; Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London; and the former site of the Jewish charity Jewish Futures, in Hendon, north-west London. This follows the March 23 arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green.
Iran-linked Islamist group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya – The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand – has claimed responsibility for some of the attacks, though the Metropolitan Police has not confirmed its involvement.
No injuries have been reported in connection with these attacks.
Following the attack last weekend against Kenton Synagogue, Board president Phil Rosenberg said: "In recent days our community and others have been targeted with a wave of arson attacks on Jewish premises in Kenton, Hendon and Finchley, following on from the destruction of Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green, and the arrests last month of Iranian individuals suspected of conducting surveillance against Jewish community buildings. There have also been similar incidents targeting Iranian opposition media outlets and the Israeli Embassy.
"Our community will not be intimidated by these cowardly acts of hate, which are an attack on Britain and its values, and on the security and cohesion of everyone in our country."
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