1,500 British Jews and Israelis take part in anti-Netanyahu govt protest in Westminster
Parliament Square is packed as protestors, many carrying Israeli flags and hand-made placards, vent their anger at the Netanyahu coalition government's proposed overhaul of the country's judicial system
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Around 1,500 Israelis and British Jews have taken part in a hugely significant demonstration against the Israeli government’s planned overhaul of the judiciary, in Parliament Square, Westminster.
Protesters – including 20 UK rabbis, and celebrity Israeli-born chef Yotam Ottolenghi -responded to the grassroots campaign mounted by the organisers by turning out in large numbers for the second Defend Israeli Democracy demo in the UK, this time at the iconic location next to the Houses of Parliament.
The size of the crowd, split equally between Israeli expats and those from the UK community, mirrored the turn-out for the last major Jewish demo to be held in Parliament Square – 2018’s Enough Is Enough protest against Labour’s failure to tackle antisemitism under Jeremy Corbyn.
Amongst the speakers at Sunday’s demo were Dame Margaret Hodge, Rabbi Deborah Blausten, one of the organiser’s Dr Sharon Shochat, Israel academic and Jewish-Zionist educator Mike Prashker, and Yachad’s Hannah Weisfeld.
Former Conservative middle east minister Alistair Burt sent a message of support for the protest, confirming he would have spoken at the event, which was also backed by ex-Tory Party CEO Sir Mick Davis, had he been in the country.
Many of the protesters in attendance carried handmade signs with messages reading “A government of criminals will not appoint judges” and “Israelis for the future of Israel,” in Hebrew and English denouncing the government’s actions and advocating for democracy.
Others proudly carried the Israeli flag, in a move that has been mirrored at similar protests stage across the globe, as demonstrators attempt to reclaim the national flag as a symbol of progressive, democratic statehood, rather than a symbol of more nationalistic meaning.
There were also several banners on display that openly criticised Israel’s continued occupation of the West Bank.
One read “There’s No Democracy With Occupation” while another featured both an Israeli and a Palestinian flag with the wording “Democracy for All.”
Some attendees even wore costumes inspired by “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a symbol that has become synonymous with recent protests in Israel.
In her speech Jewish Labour Movement parliamentary chair and Labour MP Hodge said in her speech:”This isn’t of issue of the left or right. It’s about the rule of law. You cannot compromise on the rule of law.
“Today we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Israelis, with the Jews, with the friends of Israel who are protesting against the actions of the government in Israel.
“Just as over the years when we have stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel when she faced attacks from hostile groups, nations and individuals, who attacked Israel from the outside, we now stand shoulder to shoulder with those inside Israel who are defending their citizens rights.”
The MP added:”Jews and Israelis outside Israel are joining with the voices of Israelis inside to confirm and preserve the values that underpin the creation of Israel in its declaration of independence – a country based on freedom, justice and peace, that will ensure complete equality to all its citizens.
“The Netanyahu regime must drop its proposals.”
In another well-received speech, organiser Shochat told the crowd:”Israel will not become a theocratic, fascistic state on our watch.”
The statement was greeted with loud cheers from the crowd who burst into a chant of “Democracia”.
In his speech Merchavim founder Prashker, who moved to Israel in 1978, berated those who had attempted to smear the UK protest as being “far-left”.
Having served in the IDF, and taught at Tel Aviv university, Prashker spoke of his proud Zionist identity, and also stressed how vital it was to protest the values around Israel’s foundation.
In her speech Finchley Reform’s Rabbi Blausten said:”I’m a British reform rabbi. I don’t stand here because I have a vote in the state of Israel but because I, you, we are all part of the family of Israel.
“My husband is Israeli… and as a Jewish community Israel is a country that takes our Jewish identity and builds it into national form. I can’t entertain a world where Judaism becomes a synonym for something that does not uphold the highest values of our tradition and the highest aspirations of humanity.”
Was inspiring to speak today at the pro-democracy rally for Israel. We must protect the values on which Israel was founded. As no credible democracy would destroy judicial review. Let’s fight for the country based on freedom, justice & peace to return. pic.twitter.com/qQ732WTVkn
— Margaret Hodge (@margarethodge) March 12, 2023
To loud cheers Yachad CEO Weisfeld said the group’s supporters were people who “care deeply about Israel and about the values on which it was founded.
But she said that “today we look at Israel and we see something different.
“A country whose government and Prime Minister do not believe in justice or equality.
“We see people elevated to high office who are proud of their homophobia, racism and hatred of Palestinians.”
Weisfeld she many British Jews were now “inspired” by the protests taken place in Israel because “if the battle can be won a different type of future might be possible.”
Israeli attendee Dr Tal Bar, later told Jewish News she was “immensely proud” that so many Israeli expats had been joined by British born Jews at the demo to send a clear message of solidarity to friends and family joining events in Israel.
JLM’s Mike Katz who was also at the protest added:”It feels like the start of something big, a really significant event.
“Members of the Israeli community, along with British Jews wanting to come out and show solidarity with Israeli protesting against the attacks on democracy by the awful government.”
The two hour long demo, which began at 2pm, and was protected by around 20 trained Community Security Trust guards, along with a small unit of Metropolitan Police officers.
The event appeared to pass off without any concerning incidents.
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