UK March Against Antisemitism Attended By Maureen Lipman, Eddie Marsan, Boris Johnson

A string of high-profile figures from the entertainment world attended a march against antisemitism on the streets of London yesterday, in what is thought to be the biggest rally of its kind for nearly 90 years.

The likes of Maureen Lipman, Eddie Marsan and It’s a Sin star Tracy Ann-Oberman were at the march, which is reported to have attracted more than 100,000 people. Others who attended included former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson, Countdown host Rachel Riley and comedian David Baddiel. Marsan, Baddiel and Riley were amongst those who addressed the crowds.

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Organized by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), the rally took place to counter heightened concerns over antisemitism among Jewish communities in multiple European countries since the attack on October 7 by Hamas on Israel – which saw the kidnap of 200 civilians and killing of around 1,400 – and the war that has followed.

There was a 1,300% increase in antisemitic offences in London in the month following October 7 compared to the same month in 2022, according to the Metropolitan Police, while islamophobic offences were up 140%. The Met Police said two people were arrested yesterday including Tommy Robinson, the founder of the UK’s English Defence League, who was asked not to attend by organizers.

Since the Israeli retaliation against Hamas started, there have been weekly pro-Palestine rallies in London but this was the first of its kind specifically against antisemitism. It is thought to be the largest gathering of its kind since the Battle of Cable Street in 1936. Events surrounding that momentous battle were re-told in the BBC’s 2021 drama Ridley Road, which starred Marsan and Oberman.

Attendees were marching on a momentous weekend as the first group of hostages were released from Gaza six weeks after they were taken, in return for a pause in the fighting and the return of Palestinian detainees in the other direction. The final group of hostages to be freed under the initial deal between Israel and Hamas is expected to emerge from Gaza later today, with Hamas saying it is seeking to extend the current four-day pause in fighting and increase the number of hostages released.

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