Hate marchers couldn’t even take one day off

Scenes across Britain on the night after the Manchester synagogue attack left many unsettled: large crowds gathered in city centers, and what began as political protest quickly took on a menacing tone for Jewish communities. Chants and placards that called for the end of Israel, and sometimes appeared to target British Jews directly, compounded grief and anger after a deadly assault on worshippers.

These demonstrations raise urgent questions about where criticism of Israel crosses into calls that threaten the safety and legitimacy of Jewish people in the UK. As police and politicians debate how to respond, communities are left trying to read the motives behind chants, the timing of marches and what it all means for public safety.

UK cities filled with protesters — and volatile slogans

Across London, Brighton, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester, large crowds chanted and carried signs denouncing Israel’s existence rather than focusing solely on policy. Slogans such as “From the river to the sea” were heard repeatedly — a phrase many interpret as calling for the elimination of the State of Israel. In Brighton, a plea for the release of hostages held in Gaza was shouted down; the crowd responded with boos.

• Major urban centers hosted the largest gatherings.
• Some placards and chants explicitly rejected Zionism or urged aggression against Zionists.
• Public order resources were stretched as police monitored multiple demonstrations.

When does anti-Zionism become anti-Semitism?

Organizers insist many of these rallies are “pro-Palestine” campaigns criticizing Israeli government actions. However, the language used on some signs and in chants blurred lines between political critique and delegitimization of Jewish identity. For much of Britain’s Jewish community, opposition to Zionism often feels indistinguishable from opposition to Jews themselves.

Delegitimizing a nation-state that represents a people can easily translate into targeting the people themselves — especially when a majority of British Jews identify with or support Israel in some form. Signs calling to “punch your local Zionist” and chants labeling Zionism as a “crime” do more than criticize policy; they mark individuals at home as potential targets.

How the protests began and why timing matters

Mass demonstrations in support of Palestine started up almost immediately after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel last autumn, with large crowds appearing in public within hours of the initial attacks. For many observers, the rapid pivot from news of mass murder to celebratory street gatherings was both shocking and revealing about the sentiments motivating parts of the movement.

Some established groups sought permits and organized public actions in the hours and days following the violence. That organizational response — rather than an absence of structure — suggests these were not purely spontaneous outbursts but coordinated statements that, for critics, signaled a willingness to celebrate or defend violent actors.

Free speech, public order and the limits of protest

Calls have grown for banning certain marches in the wake of violent rhetoric and targeted slogans. Others argue that restricting protests would undermine free speech and that even odious or offensive viewpoints must remain protected to preserve democratic norms.

Still, many commentators contend the problem isn’t the existence of protests but the reluctance of public figures to name and condemn hateful language when it appears. Even officials who criticized the demonstrations were accused of using tepid language; the Home Secretary described some rallies as “insensitive” and “un-British”, a response many felt did not match the severity of the rhetoric or the recent attack on the Jewish community.

Possible policy and policing responses

• Stronger public condemnations from political leaders to delegitimize violent or dehumanizing rhetoric.
• Targeted policing and clearer guidance for when a protest crosses into hate speech or incitement.
• Community protection measures during planned demonstrations to ensure vulnerable communities feel safe.
• Better enforcement of existing hate-crime and public-order laws where evidence supports it.

Planned marches and the strain on protective resources

Organizers have continued to schedule demonstrations, including a march backed by a group called Palestine Action. Police have warned that large mobilizations could divert officers from community protection duties at a time of elevated risk for Jewish neighborhoods and synagogues.

Some activists have been urged by authorities to stay home to avoid straining resources, though many say they will march regardless. For those watching the headlines, this dynamic reinforces a perception that parts of the movement prioritize spectacle over the safety of communities directly affected by escalating tensions.

What activists say — and what they mean to bystanders

Protest leaders frame their actions as solidarity with Palestinians living under occupation and suffering in Gaza. For many participants, chants and slogans are expressions of anger at state policy and a demand for international accountability.

But for Jewish bystanders and many observers, the language heard on the streets — including calls to erase a state and signs encouraging violence toward Zionists — translates into a lived threat. Words on placards and in chants do not exist in a vacuum; they carry meaning for those who feel targeted.

Immediate effects on British Jewish communities

• Heightened fear in synagogues, schools and communal spaces after the Manchester killings.
• Increased demand for security and police presence at religious sites and events.
• Deepening rifts between those who view the protests as legitimate dissent and those who see them as calls for violence.

For many Jewish families, public expressions that delegitimize their identity amplify a sense of vulnerability. Whether or not organizers intend to incite harm, the effect on community safety is real and measurable.

About the writer

Fraser Myers is deputy editor at spiked and host of the spiked podcast. Follow him on X: @FraserMyers.

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Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson is a dedicated columnist focusing on political and social debates. With twelve years in editorial writing, he provides nuanced, well‑argued perspectives. His commentaries invite you to form your own views and engage in critical issues.