Tens of thousands of people have gathered in London to walk shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity at one of the largest demonstrations against antisemitism in British living memory.

Organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), around 105,000 people attended the National March Against Antisemitism.

Marching alongside the estimated 105,000 people on Sunday was former prime minister Boris Johnson, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, television mathematician Rachel Riley and actors Tracy-Ann Oberman and Dame Maureen Lipman.

Protesters, holding the images of kidnapped Israeli citizens currently held by Hamas, march against antisemitism, London, November 26, 2023

Jewish Conservative MPs including Tom Tugendhat, Robert Halfon and Robert Jenrick also joined the march alongside broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer, Vanessa Feltz, comedian David Baddiel and actors Eddie Marsan, Louisa Clein, Felicity Kendal, and Elliot Levey.

Tens of thousands march through London against antisemitism, November 26, 2023

Marchers waved Israeli and Union flags as well as placards reading "Never Again Is Now" and "Zero Tolerance for Antisemites".

A man with a "I am allowed to be Jewish and proud" placard, Chancery Lane, London, November 26, 2023

It began at the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand at 1:30pm before passing along Whitehall and ending at Parliament Square.

The march comes amid a rise in antisemitism across the UK after Hamas’ terror attack on Israel. The number of antisemitic incidents reported to the Community Security Trust (CST) in the month following October 7 surged by over 500 per cent year on year, with dozens of assaults and more than 100 threats recorded.

Protesters during London's march against antisemitism with a Bring Them Back Home Now banner, November 26, 2023

In total 1,124 antisemitic incidents were reported to CST in the month to 7 November according to data released by the group – the largest number since the charity began keeping records in 1984.

Speaking at Parliament Square, the Chief Rabbi said: “Since October 7, we have found out who our true friends are and to each of them, we say: thank you very much.”

He added: “We must teach people that they must draw their conclusions from historical facts and not from social media. Our call is the United Kingdom must be united against antisemitism.”

He also acknowledged the “sad suffering of Palestinians in Gaza”, and mourned all loss of life “a tragedy”.

A march attendee waves a pride flag featuring a Star of David, November 26, 2023 (Credit: Keren David)

Riley said in another speech: “We have seen people turn up in their tens of thousands in Berlin, in Paris, in Washington, and today it’s our turn, and there is no clearer message to send to the British Jewish community that we are not alone than this incredible sea of friendly faces.”

Riley added: “You need to know next to nothing to propagate Nazi or Soviet Jew-hating propaganda, reframed to fit today’s narrative, but you need to know nearly everything in order to combat it. The odds are stacked in the antisemite’s favour. We need to re-stack those odds.

“No one should have to risk their safety, jeopardise their career, in speaking against antisemitism in Britain. I call on the people, the media, and politicians on every side to stand with us and be louder against antisemitism. Enough is enough.”

Meanwhile, Marsan said he was present to “stand in solidarity with my Jewish friends; the people I grew up with, the people I went to school with, the people I work with, I tell you all: you are not alone.”

Speaking to the crowd, Jenrick said “no words” can ever take away the pain of October 7. He added: “We stand with Israel and all who share its determination to defeat Hamas, whose defeat will be a blessing to this world.”

The CAA called the rally the largest gathering against antisemitism London had seen since the Battle of Cable Street in 1936, when hundreds of thousands of people blocked a planned march by Sir Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists through areas home to many Jewish families.

Boris Johnson attends the march against antisemitism in London, November 26, 2023

Gideon Falter, chief executive of the CAA, said: “Week after week, central London has become a no-go zone for Jews.

“We have witnessed mass criminality, including glorification of terrorism, support for banned terrorist organisations such as Hamas, and incitement to racial or religious hatred against Jews. The sad truth is that Jews do not feel safe in our capital city.”

Referring to Sunday’s march, Falter added: “The voice of decency has been heard today, and it is a voice that demands action.

“Britain is at an inflection point. If the authorities believe that our streets and our country should be safe for all Britons – including British Jews – they must act against hate before it’s too late.”

A sign that reads, "Real racists, curb your enthusiasm", November 26, 2023

Ahead of Sunday’s march, the CAA released the results of a survey which found that 69 per cent of British Jews say they are less likely to show visible signs of their Judaism right now, while almost half of British Jews have considered leaving the UK since October 7 due to antisemitism.

It also found that 90 per cent of British Jews say they would “avoid travelling to a city centre if a major anti-Israel demonstration was taking place there”, a result which leads the CAA to describe urban centres as “no-go zones for Jews.”

A woman holding a sign that reads "Jews belong", November 26, 2023

The CAA polled 3,744 people between November 12 and 17.

EDL founder Tommy Robinson was detained by police after being told to stay away from the march. Fears had been raised that Robinson, the former leader of the far-right grouping, could disrupt the march.

The Metropolitan Police had also made clear in advance that Robinson was "not welcome" at the march.