Trafalgar Square Rally For Israel

by TJ reporter - Friday 9th January 2009


An email claiming Sunday's Israel solidarity rally in Trafalgar Square has been cancelled has been dismissed as a hoax

Thousands of supporters of the Jewish state are set to gather in the shadow of Nelson's Column at 11am for a very public finale of five days of action calling for an end to terror and peace for the people of Israel and Gaza

Top stories

email this page to a friend print this page email the editor buy this content
However, on Friday evening, an email purporting to be from the Board of Deputies was sent to thousands of people throughout the community claiming the event had been scrapped. It also stated the Board wanted an end to the IDF operation and talks between Israel and Hamas.

The email though was a hoax, apparently sent by a member of Jews for Justice for Palestinians.

Community leaders are seeking to assure anyone who may have received the email that the event is stull going ahead.


In recent days, a series of protests against the IDF's operation in Gaza have taken place in the capital, with some witnessing clashes with police and the burning of Israeli flags.

But when the community gathers in London and at a simultaneous event in Manchester's Albert Square this weekend, it will be to express concern for all those affected by the crisis, under the banner 'End Hamas Terror! Peace For The People of Israel And Gaza'.

Organised by the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council with the support of major communal organisations, the London event will feature speeches by community leaders, while thousands of placards and flags will be provided to the crowds gathered by Nelson's Column for the hour-long rally.

In 2002, the community came together at the famous landmark during another period of crisis in the Middle East - the Second Intifada. A smaller gathering at JFS in 2006 demonstrated support for the Jewish state at the time of the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"On Sunday, we will come together once again in unity to show our solidarity for the people of Israel," said Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks. "I urge you all to join us. Our prayers at this time continue to be for a just and lasting peace for the people of the region."

Jeremy Newmark, Chief Executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, told the Jewish News: "We're asking the community to turn out in massive numbers to underline the level of support for Israel in the UK. The experience of previous similar events is that the community has always risen to that challenge."

He added: "British Jews, like the vast majority of the British public are appalled at the actions of Hamas which are the ultimate cause of the deaths of innocent Palestinians and Israelis."

The CST is in close contact with rally organisers and police to ensure that "all possible measures" are taken to protect the event. "CST is keenly aware of the need for security and vigilance around communal demonstrations at this very tense time," said the organisation's Mark Gardner.

At a meeting on Tuesday called by Board President Henry Grunwald and attended by leaders of major Anglo-Jewish, Israel-related and synagogue organisations, it was also decided to encourage the community to focus on specific advocacy action in the days leading up to Sunday.

Grunwald said: "No British government would - or could - or should have to put up with the constant barrage of rockets and missiles from a neighbouring country, especially one ruled by a terrorist organisation whose very reason for existence is your destruction."

Today, members of the community are being asked to write to their MPs to ensure decision-makers see a balanced view of the conflict, while on Friday the focus will be contacting news and media outlets.

Prayers will be recited for a speedy resolution to the crisis in synagogues around the country this Shabbat.

The days of action kicked off on Wednesday when more than 1,000 Israel supporters gathered for a grassroots-initiated solidarity event outside the Israeli Embassy in London, where anti-Israel protestors have demonstrated in recent days.

Lead organiser Matt Freed said he originally hoped to get a group of friends to rally outside the Embassy but the size of the gathering ballooned after it was placed on Facebook. "Any normal person is against terrorists and Hamas is a terrorist organisation. Israel has a right to defend itself. 9/11, 7/7, eight years of terror against Israel, we're all in the same boat."

- For Sunday's rally, assemble at 10.40am in Trafalgar Square. For more information call 020 7543 5428 or email solidarity@bod.org.uk

Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.