A chant implying Zionists are not welcome in London, at one of the Saturday “Hate marches” has prompted UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) to write to the Mayor of London to urge him to act to protect Jews.

“Say it loud, say it clear, Zionists not welcome here” was shouted through a megaphone and microphone by two men, one clad in a red Keffiyeh, and the other draped in a Palestinian flag, to the beat of a large drum. The offensive chant was then repeated by the accompanying mob during the pro-Palestine march on 5 October 2024.  A video of this can be seen here.

UKLFI has reported the two unknown individuals to the police for breaching sections 5 and 18 of the Public Order Act 1986 and has also written to Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, to urge him to ensure the safety and protection of Jews in London.

UKLFI’s letter to the Mayor pointed out that it is well known in the public domain that most British Jews are Zionists, in that they believe in the right to self-determination for the Jewish people, and statehood in their ancestral homeland.  Therefore, hearing it publicly proclaimed that Zionists are not welcome is effectively saying that British Jews are not welcome in their own country.

The letter said: “This exemplifies the dire situation faced by many British Jews week in week out as these marches take place up and down the country and the language and behaviour and thinly veiled hatred ramps up. The hatred that is fuelled at these marches, is likely to increase the antisemitic incidents in London and elsewhere.”

This is one incident amongst many in the past 12 months and as the hatred continues each week without apparent steps being taken to stop such behaviour and/or ban marches. London’s Jews feel even more intimidated and afraid to travel in and around London.

UKLFI has requested that Sadiq Khan take action to prevent British Jews feeling afraid, isolated and threatened, and feeling that central London is now out of bounds for them because of the racial hatred and intimidation.  The Police do not appear to use their powers and the people shouting their hateful slogans were allowed to do so, seemingly with impunity.

UKLFI wrote: “As Mayor of London and representative of all of London’s citizens and a person who wants London to be “a city for all Londoners”, we would expect you to do everything in your power to keep your citizens safe and for due process to be followed to ensure that outcome.   More must be done and we urge you to take urgent and serious action now and restore London’s Jews’ faith in you, the Government of London and this country.”