A string of high-profile figures from the leisure world attended a march towards antisemitism on the streets of London yesterday, in what’s regarded as the largest rally of its variety for almost 90 years.
The likes of Maureen Lipman, Eddie Marsan and It’s a Sin star Tracy Ann-Oberman have been on the march, which is reported to have attracted greater than 100,000 individuals. Others who attended included former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his spouse Carrie Johnson, Countdown host Rachel Riley and comic David Baddiel. Marsan, Baddiel and Riley have been amongst those that addressed the crowds.
Organized by the Marketing campaign In opposition to Antisemitism (CAA), the rally came about to counter heightened considerations over antisemitism amongst Jewish communities in a number of European international locations because the assault on October 7 by Hamas on Israel – which noticed the kidnap of 200 civilians and killing of round 1,400 – and the warfare that has adopted.
There was a 1,300% enhance in antisemitic offences in London within the month following October 7 in comparison with the identical month in 2022, in response to the Metropolitan Police, whereas islamophobic offences have been up 140%. The Met Police mentioned two individuals have been arrested yesterday together with Tommy Robinson, the founding father of the UK’s English Defence League, who was requested to not attend by organizers.
Because the Israeli retaliation towards Hamas began, there have been weekly pro-Palestine rallies in London however this was the primary of its variety particularly towards antisemitism. It’s regarded as the biggest gathering of its variety because the Battle of Cable Road in 1936. Occasions surrounding that momentous battle have been re-told within the BBC’s 2021 drama Ridley Highway, which starred Marsan and Oberman.
Attendees have been marching on a momentous weekend as the primary group of hostages have been launched from Gaza six weeks after they have been taken, in return for a pause within the combating and the return of Palestinian detainees within the different path. The ultimate group of hostages to be freed underneath the preliminary deal between Israel and Hamas is anticipated to emerge from Gaza later at this time, with Hamas saying it’s searching for to increase the present four-day pause in combating and enhance the variety of hostages launched.
