Conservative and Reform leaders cheered as they address crowd, while Labour’s Pat McFadden met with boos and shouts of ‘where is Starmer?’
Thousands of people gathered outside Downing Street on Sunday to protest an increase in antisemitic hate crimes and violence, as senior politicians and interfaith leaders called for unity.
The Standing Strong: Extinguish Antisemitism rally, backed by more than 30 Jewish groups, drew thousands of people to Whitehall, as Conservative and Liberal Democrat party leaders, alongside Labour and Reform representatives, addressed a crowd studded with Israeli and union jack flags and ‘Where is Keir?’ placards.
The rally was organised in response to a marked increase in antisemitic hate crimes and violence, including the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green on 29 April. Suspected terrorist Essa Suleiman has been charged with attempted murder in relation to the stabbings.
Labour’s Pat McFadden was met with boos and shouts of “Where is Starmer?” as he took to the stage. The work and pensions secretary said: “I hear your anger, I hear your pain, I stand against antisemitism, I stand with you.” There were also boos for the Liberal Democrats’ Ed Davey, while the Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, and the Reform UK deputy leader, Richard Tice, were mostly greeted with cheers and applause.
