From royal permission to royal patronage: a century of British Jews standing tall

Just over a week ago in Golders Green, four Hatzola ambulances were deliberately set ablaze in a targeted antisemitic attack. It was an attempt to intimidate the Jewish community through one of its most essential services.

Hatzola is a volunteer local emergency service dedicated to saving lives. To target it is to send a message to a community for simply existing.

Within hours, the response told a different story. More than half a million pounds was raised. The message was clear. We are still here and we stand together.

At the same time, His Majesty the King has accepted patronage of the Community Security Trust, the organisation responsible for the safety and security of the UK Jewish community. At a time of rising antisemitism, this is both welcome and significant. It reflects the importance of protecting Jewish life in Britain today.

For those of us at AJEX (the Jewish Military Association, representing Jewish servicemen and women past and present), this moment connects directly to our history.

In the 1930s, Jewish veterans began what would become the AJEX Remembrance Parade. An annual march at the Cenotaph honouring Jewish service and sacrifice. They did so in the face of claims that Jews had not served Britain. The parade was a clear response. Jewish men and women had fought and died for this country, with tens of thousands serving in both world wars.

It is important to remember that the AJEX Remembrance Parade did not simply begin. It was granted official permission by King George V. That decision recognised that Jewish service was British service. Nearly a century later, the AJEX Parade still takes place each year because of that royal permission.

From the beginning, AJEX has stood for Remembrance and for standing up to antisemitism. That remains one of our core principles. That same sense of duty did not end with military service.

After the Second World War, Jewish ex-servicemen returned home to find that fascism had not disappeared. In 1946, many formed the 43 Group to confront Oswald Mosley’s followers on the streets of Britain.

When antisemitism rose again in the 1960s, the 62 Group was formed to counter neo-Nazi movements targeting Jewish communities.

These were acts of defence. British Jews standing up for their right to live freely and safely in this country.

Over time, this work developed into a more organised approach to community protection. The efforts of the 43 Group, the 62 Group and others, rooted in the experience of Jewish ex-servicemen, helped lay the foundations for what would become the Community Security Trust.

CST continues that work today. It exists to ensure that Jewish life in Britain can continue safely.

At AJEX, we are proud of our relationship with CST. They support our parades and events to ensure they take place safely. We stand alongside them. Their work is essential. CST is a cornerstone of British Jewish life and reflects the same values of service and responsibility shown by our veterans.

The King’s patronage of CST sits within this long history. It reflects a simple and enduring truth. Jewish life in Britain is both part of this country and deserving of protection.

The attack on Hatzola is a reminder that antisemitism has not disappeared. It still demands a response.

That response is not new. It is part of who we are.

From the veterans who marched with AJEX, to those who stood against fascists in the 43 and 62 Groups, to the volunteers of CST today, there is a continuous line of responsibility and resilience.

We have served this country. We continue to stand up for our community.

Right across the United Kingdom, that commitment has not changed.

We stand with our veterans, with Holocaust survivors and with the generations that follow.

We are here. We stand together. And we are not going anywhere.

Mike Bluestone is Honorary President of AJEX.