In London, thousands of people participated in anti-Semitism marches

 In London, thousands of people participated in anti-Semitism marches

Thousands of people protested anti-Semitism in downtown London by marching.

The march, which was the first of its sort since the Israel-Gaza conflict began, drew an estimated 100,000 participants, among them former prime minister Boris Johnson.

The gathering takes place in the midst of a substantial rise in hate crimes, mostly directed against the Jewish population in the city.

Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defense League, was taken into custody by the police after being instructed not to participate by the organizers.

There were worries he might interfere with the show.

Subsequently, the Met Police said that two persons had been taken into custody. As the throng was departing Whitehall, police arrested a man for uttering anti-Semitic slurs, in addition to Mr. Robinson, 40, who was taken into custody in early March.

Huge groups of people assembled in front of the Royal Courts of Justice, marching down Whitehall to Parliament Square, the site of the event.

Placards with the words "Never again" and "Standing shoulder to shoulder with British Jews" were carried by participants.

Amidst anti-Semitic sentiment, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis assured the assembled audience in Parliament Square that British Jews "will not be intimidated".

"We demand greater community cohesion, and we will always be proud to uphold the finest traditions of British culture," he said.

According to the Campaign Against Antisemitism, Sunday's march will be the biggest of its sort since 1936's Battle of Cable Street, when followers of the British Union of Fascists marched through East London, which at the time had a sizable Jewish community. was prevented from marching.

TV personalities Vanessa Feltz and Robert Rinder, as well as actresses Tracy-Ann Oberman, Elliot Levey, and Maureen Lipman, were among the many well-known faces in the audience.

"We have learned from history what a heavy price to pay when good people remain silent," Countdown anchor Rachel Riley said to the assembly. "I am grateful to each of you for refusing to be a bystander here today."

"Liberal people in this country should stand up and confront extremism, bigotry, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and all forms of racism," actor Eddie Marsan said in a speech.

The march was joined by comedian David Baddiel, who called the day "emotional, engaging, well-attended and embarrassing."

"Nobody knew who was speaking or where we were going," he laughed. It was the typical indication that Jews are not the true world's rulers."

Among the politicians present were Boris Johnson, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, and Shadow Science Minister Peter Kyle of Labour.

The number of crimes against Jews motivated by race has skyrocketed since the Israel–Gaza war began.

Between October 1 and November 1, there were 554 allegations of anti-Semitic offenses in London, up from 44 occurrences during the same time previous year.

The number of recorded incidents of Islamophobic hate crimes has increased to 220 from 78 in the previous year over the same time.

The anti-Semitism march on Sunday is the largest pro-Palestinian gathering to occur in London since the Middle East has been roiled anew.

The "overwhelming majority" had lawfully demonstrated, however 18 individuals were detained "during a significant policing operation" that was conducted surrounding a pro-Palestinian march on Saturday, according to a statement from the Met Police. did.

The police has committed to tighten down on posters and chants that are deemed hate crimes in response to criticism over how it has handled pro-Palestinian protests.