Thousands salute Israel
Thousands of people descended on Central London and Manchester yesterday for the UK’s first ever Salute to Israel Parade and Rally.
Around 40,000 people are believed to have attended a 50-float parade in Piccadilly followed by a rally in Trafalgar Square on Sunday which included Israeli music and speeches by Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor and Schools Secretary Ed Balls.
The event, which was accompanied by a celebration in Manchester, also marked Israel’s 60th birthday.
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President of the Board of Deputies, Henry Grunwald, told the crowd, "The aim has been not only to celebrate Israel's 60th birthday, but also to ensure that for all the criticisms frequently made of Israel in the UK, its many achievements as a vibrant, dynamic and diverse country are properly and publicly marked.
"It all came together today fantastically, and, whatever the weather, everyone, the thousands participating in the parades in London and Manchester, and all those watching as the parades pass by and then joining us in Trafalgar Square or Heaton Park, will experience a day to remember. Let no one ever say again that the British Jewish community is afraid to stand up publicly for what it believes in."
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