Thousands march against antisemitism in London as Tommy Robinson arrested - latest
Crowds gathered to show solidarity with the Jewish community in the UK as more hostages released from Hamas captivity
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Tens of thousands of people attended a march against antisemitism in London on Sunday amid fears about rising antisemitic incidents sparked by the crisis in the Middle East.
The event was held the day after the latest in a series of pro-Palestinian protests in the capital called again for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson was among those attending and compared antisemitism with “an old spore of a virus”.
Tommy Robinson was arrested at the march after organisers had raised concerns and police warned the far-right was “not welcome”.
There was only one other arrest at the event, which was organised by the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism.
It came as the Israeli military said that 14 Israelis and three foreign nationals had been released from captivity in Gaza, on the third day of a four-day truce.
The father of a young Irish-Israeli girl released by Hamas on Saturday has said she is doing “better than expected”, and has thanked the public for their support. Thomas Hand had feared his daughter Emily had been killed in the Hamas attacks but they were reunited at the weekend
Rishi Sunak condemns antisemitism ‘in all its forms’ but doesn’t criticise Musk
In an interview with Bloomberg TV, the Prime Minister was asked if he wanted to follow the White House and criticise Mr Musk.
Mr Musk sparked an outcry this week with his own tweets responding to a user who accused Jews of hating white people and professing indifference to antisemitism.
The billionaire, had a sit-down chat with Mr Sunak at his AI summit, has faced accusations of tolerating antisemitic messages on Twitter since buying it last year.
Mr Sunak told the channel: “I don’t tend to get in the business of scrutinising what every single person says who I’ve interacted with, of course I abhor antisemitism. And as you said, we’ve been unequivocal from the start of this situation that that is not acceptable in our society.
“And we’ve been very firm about that. I’ve personally been very firm about that. It’s very sad what is happening.
But pressed again, he said: “I condemn all antisemitism, right. It’s not about any one particular personality.
“I condemn antisemitism in all its forms. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Elon Musk or you’re someone on the street who’s shouting abuse at someone who happens to be walking past, that’s wrong in all its forms. Antisemitism in all its forms is completely and utterly wrong.”
Irregular meals, benches as beds. As hostages return to Israel, details of captivity begin to emerge
As hostages return from from captivity, details about the conditions of their captivity in Gaza have begun to emerge through stories their family members are telling the press.
Julia Frankel reports:
Irregular meals, benches as beds. As hostages return to Israel, details of captivity begin to emerge
As hostages return from from captivity, details about the conditions of their captivity in Gaza have begun to emerge through stories their family members are telling the press
Thousands to march in London rally against antisemitism
Tens of thousands of people are expected to march in London later in a demonstration against antisemitism.
Both ministers and the Metropolitan Police have stressed the need for the UK’s Jewish community to feel safe on the streets, amid concern about rising tensions sparked by the conflict in Gaza.
The rally in the capital comes after tens of thousands of people gathered once again on Saturday to demand a permanent ceasefire.
Between 40,000 to 50,000 expected to attend march
A 90-minute march organised by the volunteer-led charity Campaign Against Antisemitism is due to take place in London on Sunday.
Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, the Gold Commander in London this weekend, said 40,000-50,000 people were expected to attend the protest, which will start outside the Royal Courts of Justice.
Another pro-Palestinian protest of around 100,000 people marching from Park Lane to Whitehall will also be held on Saturday, as the city enters a busy period in the run-up to Christmas.
Fears Tommy Robinson could attend protest as Met say he is not ‘welcome'
There have been fears that Tommy Robinson, founder and former leader of the far-right English Defence League, could attend the protest.
Mr Robinson was last seen among the crowds of counter-protesters who clashed with police during protests held on Armistice Day.
The Met said he was “not welcome” at the march, with the force warning that any offences “whether from within the protest or from any groups trying to challenge or interfere with the march” would be dealt with.
Appearing on Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott said: “I’m very concerned about people, particularly Jewish people, feeling safe on the streets.
“I think it is right that the police take all necessary action to make sure that people are able to walk about their home city without fear.”
Chief secretary to Treasury ‘very concerned’ about Jewish people
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury is “very concerned” about Jewish people.
Appearing on Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Laura Trott said: “I’m very concerned about people, particularly Jewish people, feeling safe on the streets.
“I think it is right that the police take all necessary action to make sure that people are able to walk about their home city without fear.”
Met Police say Tommy Robinson ‘not welcome'
Asked about reports that Tommy Robinson, founder and former leader of the far-right English Defence League, could attend the protest, Met Commissioner Ade Adelekan said he was “not welcome” at the march and would be engaged by officers.
Mr Robinson was seen among the crowds of counter-protesters who clashed with police during protests held on Armistice Day.
Mr Adelekan added: “What we cannot see and what we will not let happen is the kind of violence that happened on November 11.
“We have got enough officers in order to make sure we prevent that from happening.”
Mr Robinson who, along with the English Defence League, has demonstrated support for Israel for a number of years, has been condemned by Jewish groups in the past.
Tommy Robinson in attendance as large group gathers outside Royal Courts of Justice
A large group has gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice for the rally organised by charity Campaign Against Antisemitism.
The group of a few thousand waved Israeli and Union flags and held placards reading “Never Again Is Now” and “Zero Tolerance for Antisemites”.
Other posters read: “Rape is not resistance” and “Hamas made me Jewish”.
English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson was among those present.
Met Police say ‘significant policing and security operation underway'
The Met Police have said there is a “significant” policing and security operation underway as a large group gathers outside the Royal Courts of Justice in a march against antisemitism to take place shortly.
They added that while they there may be “additional nervousness, particularly among Jewish Londoners”, there was “nothing to suggest this demonstration was at particular risk”.
They added: “A dispersal order under Section 35 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act has been in effect since just after 10am.
“It covers Westminster and parts of neighbouring boroughs. Anyone told by an officer to disperse who fails to do so is liable to arrest.”
In pictures: a large group has gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice in march against anti-semitism
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