"Britain, Wake Up": 70,000 March Against Antisemitism in London

Growing Concerns Over Rising Antisemitism in the UK

An estimated 70,000 people participated in London’s March Against Antisemitism on Sunday, according to organizers. The event was described as a wake-up call for the country as anti-Jewish attacks continue to rise. The march, which began at the BBC and ended at Parliament Square, was organized by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) and supported by various Jewish community groups.

The rally featured speeches from prominent figures such as UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, and Richard Tice, deputy leader of the anti-immigrant party Reform UK. However, representatives from the ruling Labour government were notably absent, despite being invited weeks earlier. CAA criticized this absence, stating that it sends a message that the government does not support the Jewish community during a time of significant antisemitic activity.

“The government’s scandalous decision not to send someone to address the Jewish community at a time of the worst antisemitism in the UK in living memory will do nothing to reassure British Jews that this government has their back or even understands the scale of the crisis,” CAA said.

Addressing Media Bias and Honoring Victims

CAA chose the BBC as the starting point for the march because of its perceived role in shaping public perception of the Gaza conflict. Pro-Israel groups have accused the BBC of displaying anti-Israel bias in its reporting. The group also called for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, when over 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.

In addition, the rally included a traditional Jewish ritual with the blowing of a shofar, or ram’s horn, ahead of the Jewish New Year later this month. This act was described as “a clarion call to wake up,” emphasizing the urgency of addressing antisemitism in Britain.

Rabbi Mirvis addressed the crowd, saying, “These are awful times. We have seen an explosion of hatred right across the UK. Antisemitism is rife right across the UK. You will see it. You will hear it. You will feel it. Britain, wake up now.”

A Show of Solidarity and Support

Footage from the event showed a large crowd waving UK and Israeli flags. Dignitaries leading the march carried a banner that read: “Britain, stand up for your values.” The demonstration took place a day after London police arrested nearly 900 people at a pro-Palestine protest organized by Palestine Action, an organization designated as a terrorist group by the government.

Separately, Scotland Against Antisemitism delivered an open letter to First Minister John Swinney, warning that recent statements about Israel by the Scottish government could worsen antisemitism. The letter, which received over 3,000 signatures from various sectors of society, highlighted concerns about the impact of these statements on the Jewish community.

The letter pointed out that while the suffering in Gaza is real, it warned against using inflammatory language that could harm Jewish communities in Scotland. It emphasized the need for the government to retract provocative statements and take steps to protect the Jewish population.

Rising Levels of Antisemitism

Earlier in the week, CAA released a study showing that more than one in five British adults hold entrenched antisemitic views, nearly double the level recorded four years ago. Nearly half of respondents believed that Israel treats Palestinians like Nazis treated Jews, a sharp increase from previous years. Among younger adults aged 18 to 24, this belief reached as high as 60%.

The Community Security Trust, a nonprofit providing security to British Jews, reported 1,521 antisemitic incidents between January and June 2025. While this marked a 25% drop from the previous year, it remained the second-highest total ever for a six-month period.

The global surge in antisemitism following the October 7 attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza has raised serious concerns. As tensions continue to rise, the need for awareness, education, and action becomes increasingly urgent.