Netanyahu greeted with Hebrew chants of ‘shame’ as he meets Sunak at Downing Street
More than 2,000 Israeli and British Jews have taken part in an anti-Netanyahu pro-democracy protest outside Downing Street as the Israeli PM met with Rishi Sunak
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Benjamin Netanyahu was greeted by a chorus of boos and the Hebrew chant of “busha (shame)” as more than 2000 people, from both the Israeli and UK Jewish communities, staged a protest outside Downing Street on Friday.
In unprecedented scenes, the Israeli prime minister was photographed shaking hands with Rishi Sunak on the steps of Downing Street while nearby protesters held up Israeli flags and shouted “Netanyahu go to jail, you can’t speak for Israel”.
One sign branded Netanyahu a “dictator on the run”.
Arriving for the meeting at 9.30am, in previous years Netanyahu would have been forgiven for thinking UK Jewry had turned out en masse to offer him a warm welcome, so plentiful were the Israeli flags held by many of those who joined the demo.
But as has been the case at mass protests staged within Israel, and among communities across the globe, the Israeli flag has been “reclaimed” by a movement angered by Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition.
In particular it has focused on proposed changes to the judiciary that would give the government sway in choosing judges and limit the Supreme Court’s power to strike down laws.
Netanyahu was again greeted with loud voices of disapproval as he left Downing Street at 10am.
Media broadcasters were also left frustrated after being told they could not film the start of Sunak’s meeting with the Israeli PM, as they had originally been told they could.
Joining the mainly Israeli dominated protest in Westminster on Friday were several senior figures from the community here.
Masorti Judaism’s Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, who spoke at the protest later in the day, told Jewish News he had joined the demo “because I believe the reputation of Israel, and Judaism is at stake.”
He added that “it was extremely important” to attend, because “the core of Judaism is truth, justice and dignity for everybody.
“These things are being denied, and we have to stand up for them in the name of the founders of Israel.”
Sharon Shochat, a demonstration organiser originally from Israel, told Jewish News: “The moment Netanyahu walked in to shake Sunak’s hand with the crowds roaring in the background ‘Shame’ was gratifying. Israel in London showed up today and can feel proud of this amazing achieving: Bibi was shamed, with his pants down, ridiculed and detested.”
Many protesters arrived at Friday’s demo holding self made placards.
A teenage boy held up a sign saying:”Israeli democracy is receding faster than Bibi’s hairline.”
Another banner said:”Rishi! Do Not Let Bibi Turn Israel Into Another Iran.”
While a large white placard featured a picture of Netanyahu alongside that of Russian president Putin, with the wording “The Guilty.”
Rabbi Jeremy Gordon of New London Synagogue also told Jewish News he had attended Friday’s protest “because of my vision of Israel, which is a vision of a country that is free and believes in checks and balances.
He added:”I’m pained and saddened by the way it appears to have been pulled away from that.”
Rabbi Gordon said he was inspired by the way the movement was “holding together by talking about Israel, and holding flags up with shared democratic values. It’s very inspiring.”
Mitzvah Day founder Laura Marks was also at Friday’s demo, holding an Israeli flag.
She told Jewish News:”I’m here in a personal capacity to stand with my friends in the pro-democracy movement in Israel.
“I love Israel. It is in my heart and soul. And I love it’s respect for people who are LGBT+, of multiple religious denominations, non-Jews, and of course women.”
Yachad director Hannah Weisfeld added:”The two thousand strong demo that greeted PM Netanyahu serves a reminder to him that his position is more and more untenable.
“Israelis and diaspora Jews are united in their commitment to safeguarding the checks and balances on this extreme right wing and racist government.
“We are heeding the call for support from our allies in Israel who have been on the streets for 12 consecutive weeks.”
While the main Defend Israel Democracy protest continued a smaller Palestine Solidarity Campaign demo also took place close by on Whitehall at the same time.
Asked for his view of the impressive turn out at the Israel protest, one official sporting a PSC badge said sarcastically:”We’ll see how democracy works.”
On Wednesday a Downing Street spokesperson had told Jewish News that the British PM would raise “appropriate concerns” with Netanyahu during their meeting.
The Israeli PM was also set to meet with Home Secretary Suella Braverman on Friday.
In parliament, Labour MP Alex Sobel had been among those urging Sunak to raise questions with Netanyahu about his planned reforms to Israel’s Supreme Court.
Sobel, whose parents came to the UK from Israel in 1971, tweeted:”An independent judiciary is a central pillar of democracy.
“Millions of Israelis are protesting Netanyahu’s reforms which would make the Supreme Court his puppet ending any hope of justice against Palestinian evictions and demolitions.”
In Israel, Netanyahu had said that his meeting with Sunak would be dominated with talk about a bilateral trade deal, and the threat from Iran.
Scores of Metropolitan Police officers were present in Downing Street, but there was no sign of any trouble, and good relations were maintained throughout with stewards involved with the Defend Israel Democracy protest.
Composer Erran Baron Cohen told Jewish News he had joined the main Defend Israel Democracy demo because “Israel democracy is under threat, and we have disgraceful leadership. We believe in Israel being a democratic nation where everybody should be free. That’s why I am here.”
Judie Smith, who has children living in Israel, added she had turned out on Friday because, “I want Israel to know that we are here supporting those who have been demonstrating there.
“We want an Israel that remembers its Declaration of Independence.”
Brent councillor Neil Nerva, who was also outside Downing Street said he was “inspired by what people in Israel have done to come out and demonstrate on the streets. It’s really important that we come out and show solidarity with them, and that we stand up for human rights for all.”
Interfaith consultant Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko told Jewish News: “It is really important for me to stand together with my Israeli brothers and sisters today and always. ”
A smaller group from the anti-occupation group Na’amod also turned up in Whitehall – and were seen both in front and the PSC protest and at the back of the Israeli demo at different times.
The main protest was set to move from its location outside Downing Street at lunchtime with demonstrators next urged to congregate outside the hotel in central London that Netanyahu and his wife Sara were staying at.
The Israeli PM’s office said of his talks with Sunak;”The two are also expected to discuss strengthening the strategic ties between Israel and the United Kingdom and increasing security and intelligence co-operation.”
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