Tens of Thousands Rally in London Against Surge in Antisemitic Attacks

Tens of thousands rallied in London on Sunday, alarmed by a massive increase in violent attacks against the country's Jewish population. Marchers expressed anger at the British government's inaction.

A few days before the rally, U.K. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch told Fox News Digital, "Zero tolerance for antisemitism means treating this epidemic of violence as a genuine national emergency." She called for stronger enforcement, including deporting foreign preachers who spread hate in mosques and other institutions. "Antisemites will not be welcomed or tolerated," she said. "Britain has been a haven for Jews for centuries. It must remain so."

The United Kingdom raised its national terrorism threat level to "severe," the second-highest classification, meaning an attack is highly likely. Security officials described a worsening threat environment amid a spike in antisemitic incidents, arson attacks and targeted violence.

Badenoch warned of "an unholy alliance of the hard Left and Islamist extremists behind some of the spread of antisemitism." She asked, "What do people think chants such as ‘from the river to the sea’ or ‘globalize the intifada’ mean if they do not mean the erasure of the world’s only Jewish state and violence against Jews everywhere?"

British security officials have noted that Islamist extremism remains one of the United Kingdom’s primary terror threats. MI5 warned that radicalization networks and extremist ideology pose serious risks.

Jewish leaders and analysts said expressions of support for terrorist groups such as Hamas, combined with public glorification of violence, have contributed to an environment in which anti-Jewish hostility is becoming normalized.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced mounting criticism over his handling of antisemitism as incidents reached new highs across the U.K. At the No. 10 Tackling Antisemitism Forum last week, Starmer said, "Our Jewish communities [are] feeling frightened, angry and asking whether this country, their home, is safe for them."

He added, "In recent months, as antisemitic incidents have risen, we have acted decisively to strengthen the safety of Jewish communities," announcing an additional £25 million ($32 million) in funding for increased patrols and enhanced security to prevent serious harm.

Critics said the response falls short, with Jewish communities remaining exposed as the situation escalates. London-based commentator Jonathan Sacerdoti told Fox News Digital that authorities can deploy large-scale policing when necessary but many Jewish residents question whether that urgency applies to protecting them.

"Considering they’re able to police massive anti-Israel protests every two weeks for the last two and a half years," Sacerdoti said, "they ought to be able to do the same to protect Jews."

He added that security funding alone cannot solve what he sees as a deeper problem. "Jews should not need a volunteer security organization," he said. "The state should protect us itself."

Rabbi Albert Chait, senior rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation in Leeds, said one troubling sign is how normalized constant security has become for Jewish children. "You know what the worst thing is, in my opinion?" Chait said. "The fact that my children do not ask why there is police outside their school. They do not question why there is paid security on the gate and on the street. They do not even question it because that is just normal day-to-day activity."

The Community Security Trust reported approximately 3,700 antisemitic incidents in Britain in 2025, among the highest totals on record, prompting increased funding for security at synagogues, schools and Jewish institutions.

Badenoch said, "I have never seen the level of racism, discrimination, intimidation and attacks that have been directed at the Jewish community. If other minority communities were facing similar levels of violence, there would be a national emergency."