LONDON — Tens of thousands joined a march and rally here Nov. 26, the first nationwide protest in the United Kingdom against Jew-hatred since the Oct. 7 pogrom in Israel carried out by Tehran-backed Hamas. The action was called by the Campaign Against Antisemitism.
“We have seen people turn up in their tens of thousands in Berlin, in Paris, in Washington, and today it’s our turn,” TV personality Rachel Riley told the rally. Other speakers included capitalist political figures and prominent performers. “Jews will not be intimidated,” said Ephraim Mirvis, chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth.
Marchers came from all across the country. Many said this was the first protest they’d ever been in. They chanted “Bring them home!” demanding Hamas release the over 200 hostages seized Oct. 7. They carried signs displaying pictures of hostages. Others declared, “Never again is now,” “Shoulder to shoulder with British Jews” and held other hand-written signs. Secure in their number, many sang and danced, giving the protest a festive atmosphere.
There has been a sharp rise in reported attacks on Jews here since Oct. 7. “It’s connected with what’s happening in the world,” said marcher Taras Saveiko. “Putin is trying to destroy Ukraine, just like Hamas wants to destroy Israel.” Saveiko, a Ukrainian, grew up in Kazakhstan.
Communist League members from London and Manchester built and joined the protest, setting up literature tables. They sported signs reading “Defend Israel’s right to exist,” “Condemn 7 October pogrom” and “Fighting Jew-hatred is a union issue.” Dozens of marchers took photos, pleased to see communists on the march — in contrast to the middle-class left, which has organized weekly protests in support of the destruction of Israel and a Jew-free Middle East.
Marchers bought five subscriptions to the Militant and three copies of The Jewish Question by Abram Leon. Five hundred copies of a Communist League statement, “Fight Jew-hatred! Defend Israel’s right to exist! Support Ukrainian people’s fight for independence!” were distributed.
“Only a socialist revolution can uproot Jew-hatred, end national oppression, and put an end to the march to fascism and world war,” the statement concludes. “For that we need our own party. Join the Communist League.”