London March Against anti-Semitism attendees voice disgust at Australia synagogue attack

Tens of thousands of people who rallied against anti-Semitism in London voiced their disgust at the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue.

Tens of thousands of people marched through London’s streets on Sunday in a stance against anti-Semitism and attendees voiced their horror at the recent firebombing attack on a Melbourne synagogue.

Organisers of the rally also criticised the UK government for dragging its feet in putting an end to Jewish hate and said urgent action must be taken.

The firebombing attack at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne has made news headlines in the UK in recent days and rally attendee Sandy Lucas, 54, from London, was among those to voice her disgust at the horrifying incident.

“It’s absolutely shocking, I saw the news yesterday and I saw the synagogue with the arson attack and it actually makes me cry to see what is happening everywhere around the world,” she told News Corp.

The rally was the second major march organised by the group Campaign Against

The March Against Antisemitism has begun in central London @theheraldsun@[e-mail]/JyKps8RcWI

— Sophie Elsworth (@sophieelsworth) December 8, 2024

anti-Semitism and chief executive Gideon Falter referenced the support from across the world including Australia to fight anti-Semitism.

“Friends from Amsterdam to Australia, the drum beat is beating louder and faster, a pogrom, a synagogue set ablaze,” he said.

“Two governments have now dragged their feet on anti-Semitism since October 7”.

The crowd marched through London’s streets from the Royal Courts of Justice to parliament Square and many attendees at the peaceful protest were holding British and Israeli flags while others held placards that read: “Act against hate before it’s too late” and “Zero Tolerance for anti-Semitism”.

There was a large police presence at the event.

Anti-Semitism rally in London that was attended by tens of thousands of people.

Campaign Against anti-Semitism’s director of investigation and enforcement Stephen Silverman told News Corp: “anti-Semitism and extremism has swamped society since the worst atrocity committed against the Jewish people since the end of the Holocaust”.

Mr Silverman also spoke about the firebombing attack in Ripponlea in Melbourne and said these Jewish attacks were too common around the world.

“Sadly it’s not just Australia,” he said.

“The authorities in all of these current countries have to take responsibility, there has not been enough action in order to stem this.”

Research on the group’s website states that 80 per cent of British Jews feel that recent political events have resulted in increased hostility towards Jews.

The Adass Israel Synagogue was gutted after a firebombing attack on Friday and the Victorian government has pledged $100,000 to help rebuild the site.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week attacked the Albanese government, accusing it of holding an “extreme anti-Israel position” following the arson attack.

“Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israel position of the Labor government in Australia,” he said.

Australia last week controversially voted in favour of Israel withdrawing its “unlawful presence” from the West Bank and Gaza, a move that differs from the position of opposing this stance for two decades.

After receiving widespread criticism, two days after the firebombing attack Mr Albanese finally conceded that horrific actions at the Melbourne synagogue was an act of terrorism.

Originally published as London March Against anti-Semitism attendees voice disgust at Australia synagogue attack