Fury erupts as antisemitism protesters descend on Downing Street – ‘Shame on you!’ | UK | News | EUROtoday

Fury at Wednesday’s double stabbing in Golders Green arrived on Sir Keir Starmer’s doorstep as Antisemitism activists gathered for one more indignant protest in Downing Street. Two Jewish males, aged 34 and 76, have been stabbed and severely injured by a person in broad daylight. A suspect was tasered and arrested shortly afterwards. About 200 protesters holding Israeli and Union Jack flags intially gathered reverse Downing Street, shouting “Shame on you!”, with numbers rising.

Sally Sampson, 64, from London, advised Express.co.uk she didn’t have a lot confidence in Keir Starmer. She stated: “He needs to start by proscribing the IRGC and every other terror cell. Take control of the borders. It’s not sensible to have unidentified mostly men throwing away their passports. We don’t know who they are.”

Protester, Anita Gold, 71, from London, whose father got here to the UK on the Kindertransport, stated: “I used to be born in England. I like Israel. I hate what Netanyahu is doing, however a part of me thinks he has each proper to defend his nation.

“I always thought I leaned to the left, but now I just think what I’m hearing from the left is more racist than from the right… Until this country wakes up [to the threat posed by Islamists and Jihadists]I fear for it.”

Former Tory MP Jacob Rees Mogg and journalist Toby Young, who emphasised the positive contribution British Jews have made to the UK, also addressed the swelling protest.

Stephen Silverman from the Campaign Against Antisemitism tells the protesters: “The Jewish community is in danger, but so is the soul of this country.”

Just before 8pm, police led two men, probably counter-protesters, away in handcuffs after apparently arresting them, before driving them away in police vans. Express.co.uk has contacted the Met Police for details.

Crowds also chanted “Keir Starmer, Jew Harmer” throughout a separate demonstration in north London on Wednesday night – and there was additional anger when the Prime Minister visited the scene on Thursday.

Speaking upfront, a spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism stated: “This is a National Emergency. We need to dispense with the political platitudes.

“Prime Minister, what is your plan? Six months ago we stood outside Downing Street after the fatal terrorist attack Heaton Park Synagogue. Things have only got worse. More Jews attacked. Synagogues burned. More lives at risk.

“What action is the Government taking? We are demonstrating outside Downing Street on Thursday evening to ask the Prime Minister a simple question: ‘What’s the plan?’

“We must take this to the Prime Minister’s door. He’s had plenty of time. What is he actually going to do?”

Speaking earlier, Sir Keir insisted that the assaults would convey a “swift and visible” legal justice response and stated stamping out antisemitism was “the fight of everyone in this country.”

Police have arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of tried homicide and labelled the stabbing assault as an act of terrorism. Detectives are working to find out a motive and whether or not there’s any hyperlink to Iranian proxies.

The suspect, since named as Somalia-born Essa Suleiman, had “a history of serious violence and mental health issues” and should have been concerned in an “altercation” in one other space of London hours earlier than the Golders Green assault, the pressure stated.

In 2020 he was referred to the Government’s Prevent program, which tries to steer people away from extremism. The police pressure stated his file was closed later the identical yr, and didn’t disclose the explanation for the referral.

Britain’s Jewish group, which numbers about 300,000 individuals, has confronted rising assaults on-line and within the streets.

The variety of antisemitic incidents reported throughout the U.Ok. has soared for the reason that assault by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and the next warfare in Gaza, in line with the Community Security Trust charity.

Last October, an attacker drove his automobile into individuals gathered outdoors a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur and fatally stabbed one particular person.

Another particular person died in the course of the assault after being inadvertently shot by police.

Speaking at the moment, London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated: “The national threat level has now been raised to severe on the advice of security experts in the aftermath of the appalling terrorist attack in Golders Green and the concerted attacks we have seen targeting Jewish communities. This is the second highest level of security preparedness in the UK and means an attack is highly likely. I would urge all Londoners and visitors to remain calm and vigilant, and to report anything suspicious to the police.

“There will likely be extra law enforcement officials on London’s streets over the approaching days – together with extra armed officers – they’re there to assist our police service to maintain us all secure. Particularly London’s Jewish communities who we all know have been focused and are feeling significantly afraid following current assaults.”

Members of the general public are being requested to report any suspicious exercise to the police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321.