Thousands march in London against rising anti-Semitism
Around 60,000 people marched through central London to combat a wave of anti-Semitism they see becoming ‘normalised’ in British society.
Former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove, Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis united to lead the march to Parliament Square the day after 200,000 pro-Palestine activists took over the area.
Addressing the crowd in Parliament Square, the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis urged Britain to ‘wake up’.
He said: ‘Since the attack on Israel on the 7th of October 2023, we have seen an explosion of hatred right across the UK. A government-backed report recently told us that antisemitism has now become normalised within middle-class Britain.
‘You can expect to see anti-Jewish prejudice in our professional life. Within our cultural life and in the public centre. Antisemitism is rife right across the UK.
‘You will see it, you will hear it, you will feel it.’
A minute’s silence was held in memory of the 1,200 killed on October 7 2023 and to maintain awareness of those who remain captive in the dungeons of Gaza.
One activist blew a shofar (ram’s horn), which is customary on the approach the Jewish New Year.
Campaign Against anti-Semitism said, on X: ‘It is a clarion call to wake up, and no message is more important right now for Britain.’
Michael Gove told The Jewish Chronicle: ‘I think it’s absolutely vital that people from every background stand with the Jewish community at this time.
‘There’s been an unprecedented level of hatred and prejudice directed towards the Jewish community, both on our streets and online. And we need to send a clear message that we’re against prejudice and against hate and in favour of inclusivity and tolerance.
‘And it’s particularly important that we do so because history tells us that the health and safety of the Jewish community is invariably aligned to how strong, free and warm a society is.’
The march came as the charity Community Security Trust recorded 76 violent anti-Jewish assaults in the first six months of 2025, three of which were categorised as extreme violence.
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