Thousands, including Boris Johnson, participate in anti-Semitism rally in London

Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the UK, was among thousands who participated in a rally against anti-Semitism in London on Sunday, December 5. At this rally, Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi of the UK, and several senior government officials expressed solidarity with the Jewish community. Organizers referred to this rally as the largest gathering against anti-Semitism in London in recent decades. The protesters carried flags of Israel and Britain and placards with slogans such as 'Never Again, Now' and 'Zero Tolerance for Anti-Semitism'. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the former leader of the far-right group known as the 'English Defence League', was arrested by London police during the rally. The police stated that he refused to heed warnings that his presence would cause 'harassment, alarm, and distress to others' and was subsequently detained. The rally was organized amid rising concerns about increasing tensions stemming from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Gideon Falter, the executive director of the 'Campaign Against Anti-Semitism', noted that the rally followed weeks of protests by Palestinian supporters that had turned London into a 'no-go zone for Jews'. He pointed out the rise in anti-Semitic incidents since the conflict began, mentioning that protesters carried 'horrific' placards, including an image of a Star of David in a trash can with the caption 'Please keep the world clean'. On Saturday, tens of thousands of Palestinian supporters held a large demonstration in London, calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. London police reported that most protesters were peaceful but arrested 18 individuals on charges including inciting racial hatred. Following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent military assault by the Israeli army on Gaza aimed at destroying this Islamist group, Western government officials have increasingly expressed concerns about the potential impacts of this war on their countries. A 4-year-old American girl who was taken hostage by Hamas and whose parents were killed has been released. Netanyahu stated in Gaza: 'We will continue the war against Hamas until victory.' The International Red Cross has received the 'third group' of hostages from Hamas. An Iraqi militia group linked to the Islamic Republic stated: 'We are committed to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.' Hamas claims that four of its commanders have been killed. Israel has received the third list of hostages for release.