Hundreds of Jewish supporters gathered outside Downing Street on Thursday to demand action from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer following the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green the previous day. Protesters shouted 'shame' and called for 'actions, not words' from the government, holding signs that read 'Jew hate is a national emergency' and 'Prime Minister, what is your plan?'
The protest was organized by the Campaign Against Antisemitism, with Stephen Silverman of the group stating that vandalism, arson, and violent assaults have become commonplace in the Jewish community. He criticized Starmer for not addressing the crowd directly, despite being invited to do so.
Meanwhile, Starmer faced loud boos and heckling during a visit to Golders Green, where he met with members of Shomrim, the Jewish community security organization, but avoided direct interaction with angry locals. The Prime Minister had pledged a 'swift, agile, and visible' response to the attack, but critics accused him of dodging the crowd, comparing his actions to Theresa May's handling of the Grenfell Tower disaster.
The stabbing suspect, identified as 45-year-old Essa Suleiman, a Somali migrant, was tackled by police and local security volunteers. The attack has raised concerns about rising antisemitism in the UK, with recent incidents including arson attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites. Residents described living in fear, with one Orthodox Jewish resident telling CBS News, 'We have to live in fear—constantly looking behind our backs, wondering if someone might attack us with a knife.'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and former Tory minister Jacob Rees-Mogg also addressed the crowd, condemning antisemitism and calling for stronger government action against extremist groups. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch arrived at the scene within hours of the attack, speaking with local residents before Starmer's visit.
The government has faced criticism for its response to the rising tide of antisemitic incidents, with some calling for a ban on radical Islamist groups. The Jewish community has expressed frustration over what they see as inadequate protection and a lack of concrete action from the government.