Tens of Thousands March in London Amid Debate Over Rising Antisemitism and Free Speech

Tens of thousands of people rallied in London on Sunday, alarmed by the massive increase in violent attacks against the country's Jewish population. Marchers expressed anger toward the British government's inaction on antisemitic attacks. Speaking days before the demonstration, Kemi Badenoch called for stronger enforcement including deporting foreign preachers spreading hate in mosques and other institutions.

"Antisemites will not be welcomed or tolerated. Britain has been a haven for Jews for centuries," Badenoch said. Her comments came as the United Kingdom raised its national terrorism threat level to "severe," the second-highest classification.

The "severe" threat level means an attack is considered highly likely. Badenoch said there is an unholy alliance of the hard Left and Islamist extremists behind some of the spread of antisemitism. British security officials have long noted that Islamist extremism remains one of the United Kingdom’s primary terror threats.

MI5 has warned that radicalization networks and extremist ideology continue to pose serious risks. Jewish leaders and analysts say 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 increasingly normalized.

Jonathan Sacerdoti told Fox News Digital that authorities have demonstrated the ability to deploy large scale policing when necessary but many Jewish residents are questioning whether that same urgency is being applied to protecting them.

Jonathan Sacerdoti said Jews should not need a volunteer security organization. For many Jewish families the impact is felt in everyday life. Rabbi Albert Chait is senior rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation in Leeds.

Rabbi Albert Chait said his children do not ask why there is police outside their school and do not question why there is paid security on the gate and on the street. According to the Community Security Trust, antisemitic incidents in Britain reached approximately 3,700 in 2025.

The figure is among the highest totals on record and has prompted increased funding for security at synagogues, schools and Jewish institutions.

Similar warning signs appeared this past week in Queens, New York, where multiple Jewish homes, a synagogue and a Jewish community center housing a preschool were vandalized with swastikas and antisemitic graffiti. Mark Treyger told Jewish Insider that one of the sites houses a pre-K program, where young children, their families and staff were greeted with swastikas and other hateful vandalism.

Fox News reported that the incidents in both countries have fueled debate over enforcement, ideology and the normalization of anti-Jewish hostility.