Fury erupts as antisemitism protesters descend on Downing Street

Fury at Wednesday’s double stabbing in Golders Green arrived on Sir Keir Starmer‘s doorstep as Antisemitism activists gathered for another angry protest in Downing Street. Two Jewish men, aged 34 and 76, were stabbed and seriously injured by a man in broad daylight. A suspect was tasered and arrested shortly afterwards. About 200 protesters holding Israeli and Union Jack flags initially gathered opposite Downing Street, shouting “Shame on you!”, with numbers growing.

Sally Sampson, 64, from London, told Express.co.uk she had little confidence in Keir Starmer.

She said: “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 came to the UK on the Kindertransport, said: “I was born in England. I love Israel. I hate what Netanyahu is doing, but part of me thinks he has every right to defend his country.

“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” during a separate demonstration in north London on Wednesday evening – and there was further anger when the Prime Minister visited the scene on Thursday.

Speaking in advance, a spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “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 attacks would bring a “swift and visible” criminal justice response and said stamping out antisemitism was “the fight of everyone in this country.”

Police have arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder and labelled the stabbing attack as an act of terrorism. Detectives are working to determine a motive and whether there is any link to Iranian proxies.

The suspect, since named as Somalia-born Essa Suleiman, had “a history of serious violence and mental health issues” and may have been involved in an “altercation” in another area of London hours before the Golders Green attack, the force said.

In 2020 he was referred to the Government’s Prevent program, which tries to steer individuals away from extremism. The police force said his file was closed later the same year, and did not disclose the reason for the referral.

Britain’s Jewish community, which numbers about 300,000 people, has faced growing attacks online and in the streets.

The number of antisemitic incidents reported across the U.K. has soared since the attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza, according to the Community Security Trust charity.

Last October, an attacker drove his car into people gathered outside a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur and fatally stabbed one person.

Another person died during the attack after being inadvertently shot by police.

Speaking today, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “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 be additional police officers on London’s streets over the coming days – including additional armed officers – they are there to help our police service to keep us all safe. Particularly London’s Jewish communities who we know have been targeted and are feeling particularly afraid following recent attacks.”

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