Religious Leaders and Groups Issue Joint Letter Against Antisemitism Ahead of London Rally

" The open letter was coordinated by the Together Coalition and released ahead of a rally in support of the Jewish community outside Downing Street on Sunday. The letter follows a series of attacks on Jewish individuals, including the stabbing of two men in Golders Green on 29 April.

It states: "The spectre of Jewish people being stabbed at random in the street, killed defending their synagogues and Jewish infrastructure being firebombed feel like a nightmare from another time. " Signatories include the Football Association, the Premier League, faith leaders from the Church of England, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Zoroastrian communities, the National Lottery Community Fund and the Women’s Institute, along with media, sport and charity organisations.

The letter asserts that the issue is not solely for the Jewish community to address. "As leaders of British organisations – with different views on faith, politics, foreign policy and pretty much everything else – we come together today to send a message to our Jewish brothers and sisters.

This country belongs to you as much as any of us," the letter states. Signatories share a vision of a diverse and inclusive Britain.

Thousands are expected to attend the event, which begins at 1pm on Sunday and is organised by the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Speakers will include the Chief Rabbi. Rally organisers have urged the British public to "face down extremists" following multiple alleged antisemitic attacks in recent months.

A co-founder of the Together Coalition described the letter as a statement of solidarity with the British Jewish community from every section of society. The co-founder added that it represents a commitment to action against antisemitism, which is seen as a cancer in society that undermines an inclusive country.

A co-chair of the UK Muslim Network and signatory said antisemitism is real, growing and totally unacceptable. The co-chair stated that there is a duty to confront it, including within one's own communities, and noted that British Muslims and Jews should be allies based on shared experiences of faith-based hatred.

The Metropolitan Police announced this week the deployment of a community protection team of 100 extra officers to safeguard the Jewish community. This follows a previous call by the force commissioner for 300 additional officers amid concern about the sustainability of current protection measures.

Following a recent attack, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the UK terrorism threat level to "severe," indicating a terror attack is highly likely. The open letter and planned rally come as Jewish groups report a rise in antisemitic incidents over the past two and a half years that has escalated into violence.