11th November demonstration for Gaza – a superb event
Richard Kuper and Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi report
Saturday’s Armistice Day demonstration calling for a Ceasefire Now in Gaza was extraordinary in so many ways.
The size was incredible, the largest demonstration in Britain since that against the war on Iraq. The police estimate of 300,000 is certainly too low. We have no reason for questioning that of the organisers – over 800,000.
The mood was exhilarating. Rightfully outraged at Israel’s genocidal bombing and starving of Gaza; furious at the cowardice of our mainstream politicians clinging to the US’s coat tails who seem to have lost all sense of their humanity; and warm, supportive and solidaristic towards all participating and all those caring about what is happening to Palestinians, in Gaza especially but also to those in the West Bank as the settlers use the war as an opportunity to run wild there.
The attempt to get the police to ban the march as inappropriate for Armistice Day could not have been more misjudged, belied by the fact that the march’s central demand was for an armistice – Ceasefire Now!
The right-wing hysteria that we would desecrate the Cenotaph was absurd in its own right and even more absurd since the march was not going anywhere near it. Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s attack on the Metropolitan Police for bias for not banning the march, with her claim that aggressive right-wing protesters were “rightly met with a stern response”, while “pro-Palestinian mobs” were “largely ignored”, is being treated widely with the contempt it deserves and her continued tenure as Home Secretary is likely to be brief… It was nothing but a calculated attempt to sow hatred and fear, in preparation for an internecine battle for the future leadership of the Tory Party.
The only hatred shown on the day was on the part of the rather sad, xenophobic, right-wing yobs who responded to Braverman’s hate speech, turning on the police near Vauxhall Bridge and at the Cenotaph and attacking them with racist cries of “You’re not English, you’re not English, you’re not English anymore”!
The Jewish Bloc had its biggest presence to date, upwards of a thousand of us assembling together at the Simon Bolivar statue before joining the main march. For the first time we had posters identifying us as a bloc, and leaflets (see below for text) explaining our presence. JVL gave out “Jews Against the War on Gaza” stickers to many of our fellow marchers.
Later when a large number of us stood in Bessborough Gardens just before Vauxhall Bridge, we were warmly applauded by large groups of marchers, many of them Muslims who stopped to thank us for being there. Many took selfies with with us, accepting our stickers to wear with pride. Some embraced and wept with us.
There is a great interview with Na’amod member Max at the foot of this post.
Jenny Manson spoke for JVL from the platform and here is her short contribution:
I am Jew and I am proud to be marching today for Palestine.
These are not hate marches. Instead, I have found an atmosphere of solidarity, even love between us all. This is not a battle between Jews and Muslims as our leading politicians seem to want to frame it, forgetting the Palestinians altogether! This is a march against collective punishment.
I am also proud to be marching on Armistice Day, a day designated to be devoted to the pursuit of global peace. As Lord Soames reminded us all on Radio 4 this morning, this day was intended to reflect our right to live in freedom. And this march, not a hate march, but a march to protest the rights of Palestinians.
I was born on this day, the eleventh of November, in 1948, the year of the creation of Israel and the year of the Nakba.
This was shortly after the full horrors of the holocaust emerged. I was told that my father took to his bed and covered his face with a sheet – as he did in 1982 when it emerged that Israel had stood back and allowed the Sabra and Shatila massacre in Lebanon.
This day, the eleventh of November, has never seemed to me so bleak. We are marching because Israel has been given the go ahead by our government among others in the West to wage this war on Palestinians in Gaza and on the West Bank, to justify war crimes in exchange for war crimes by Hamas with no reference to the illegal occupation, the build up of illegal settlements and the murders of Palestinians on the West Bank.
It is not disrespectful to Jews that people of all backgrounds walk in mutual loving support to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
After all, what does a ceasefire mean? Simply a plea to end the killing.
Antony Blinken said yesterday far too many Palestinians have been killed; far too many have suffered these past weeks.
How can he have only realised this now? What can he and our leaders do to repair things? Well at the very least follow on from France and call for a ceasefire today. As for all the Jews marching today or supporting from home, I call aloud again: this war is not in my name.
Photos above and below via the Jewish Bloc or Robert A.H.Cohen’s Facebook page
Jewish Bloc leaflet
What is the Jewish Bloc?
A coalition of Jewish groups joining together as a collective voice in opposition to the State of Israel’s war on Palestinians, the ensuing genocide in Gaza, and the UK Government’s complicity in war crimes.
Why are we here?
• To join the hundreds of thousands mobilising for the freedom of the Palestinian people, and for a better future for everyone living in Palestine and Israel.
• Because the Jewish experience of racism and our liberatory traditions impel us always to fight against oppression, and always to act in solidarity with the oppressed.
• Because the people who define themselves as our community “leaders” are not here, andare lining up in support of an enormous historic injustice. They prioritise defence of the Israeli government and the criminal actions of its military in Gaza and the West Bank, instead of bringing communities here together against racism.
• Because we are anti-racist, anti-fascist, anti-colonial, anti-imperialist and anti-apartheid. We support those in Israel who oppose Netanyahu’s government with its self-declared fascists, misogynists and homophobes.
• To challenge the lie that solidarity marches make our cities unsafe for Jews. We have been welcomed here with friendship and warmth. We do not look to Israel to make us safe, we look instead to solidarity. We reject attempts to divide us from others who are fighting oppression.
As a Jewish Bloc we say loudly to those who stand in the way of freedom, justice and equality for Palestinians and Jews everywhere: “Not In Our Name!”
Finally:
“Rising antisemitism is not helped by those in gov't who say calling for a ceasefire is antisemitic. What picture does it paint of Jewish life when you say pro-peace demonstrators are a threat to Jews?"
Na’amodnik Max on marching yesterday.pic.twitter.com/qHj9kW0En3
— Na'amod (@NaamodUK) November 12, 2023
I was honoured to walk with the Jewish Block. I have been a supporter of JVL for several years. It was heartening to see Jews and Muslims and others marching together. This was a peace march and not a hate march as portrayed by the current home secretary. It was a plea for a cease fire that was the most moving. As a mother I can’t imagine the horror of being in Gaza at the moment and trying to keep my family safe.
Wow…Bravo what wonderful words and sentiments I applaud all who were there. Let’s hope the powers that be don’t find a chance to denigrate what happened. This experience should be built on and repeated across the country.
Those fascist brain donors who attacked the police yesterday, singing “you’re not English,” don’t get irony. The tune they sang it to was the Welsh hymn “Cwm Rhondda.”
Nor indeed did at least one of their fellow “patriots” who was sporting a red poppy alongside a swastika tattoo.
I for one am very grateful to the Jewish Bloc organisers for making this one of the most meaningful experiences of protest and solidarity I have had. Even before I got off the train to Hyde Park Corner, I was in a carriage with a Muslim family, the elderly mother in her seat, eyes closed, praying. In the state of pent up anguish I feel daily, I found myself getting off the train with them and sobbing into the arms of one of the younger women. They were so kind! Similarly when part of our group stopped still to address the marchers, we experienced the same warmth and mutual sorrow, put down our ‘phones’ and hugged. It’s not surprising, but it’s not told in all the media claims about hatred and fear. We made it visible, briefly. Thanks again.
I have been on many demonstrations in London over the last 50 years, but this was the most extraordinary I have ever experienced.
It was different in so many ways: perhaps more women than men, possibly more “non-white” than white. Sadly – and shockingly,
to my mind – not a single trade union banner. They may have been there, but I saw none. Not a sign of our state church, either; not a single clerical collar, much less a bunch of bishops demanding an end to the killing of their fellow beings.
Above all it was human and friendly. In spite of the gravity of the cause, there was a gentleness of spirit . Today’s Sunday newspapers referred to a “march of hate”, though in nearly four hours I saw nothing but peaceful yet serious faces and I experienced nothing but kindness and concern. I was twice gently asked by young women in headscarves whether I was “all right?”…… perhaps because I was too obviously leaning on my stick!
I was given sweets and a can of drink – presumably because I was looking doddery – and when a group of us who were walking under Jewish Voice for Labour banners stopped to stand in a group at the side of the road (in order to make a specific point about Jewish support for the Palestinian people) we were clapped in appreciation by literally thousands of other marchers. At that moment I felt a bit of a fraud since I am not Jewish.
One day, perhaps, social historians will see this as the biggest protest demonstration ever to take place in Britain about international events in which Britain itself is not directly involved in armed conflict. The march was a measure of how abominable Israel’s behaviour is seen by ordinary people from all parts of the country. I found it uplifting in an almost spiritual way, an expression of concern and compassion for people of another race, another country, another history. I don’t have many reasons to be proud of Britain these days – but I did yesterday, standing in the sunshine and calling for peace among a great multitude of people on Vauxhall bridge. It was life-affirming, exhilarating and deeply moving.
There were in fact some Trade Union banners I saw several from UCU and also ones from CWU and RMT but of course I only saw part of the vast march and there will have been others I did not see. What was notable was the total lack, by order of Starmer, of Labour Party banners.
Solidarity to Jenny, brilliant and powerful speech on behalf of every Jewish person on the march or not who has not only rejected the vile – and ironically racist – dogmas of Zionism, but who also has had the courage to stand up for truth and justice.
I’m so glad I went to the massive demonstration yesterday and I’m particularly happy I marched along with the Jewish contingent! Shortly before we set off I met Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi. I’ve seen her videos on Youtube and I think she’s a wonderful woman – I have a huge respect and admiration for her and people like her. Altogether this was a truly inspiring event which brought all communities together in a common cause – showing how utterly wrong and unjustified the smears of Suella Braverman and others have been. Let’s hope we achieve our aim soon at last: a ceasefire to save the people of Gaza!
Brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful. From horror can come love. If we keep talking to each other. Clearing fear and ignorance and creating a common sense of humanity. Last Sunday I walked with thousands of Muslims in Bradford protesting injustice. I recognised Jewish friends in the procession. We are together.
Everything that has needed to be said about Israel and the more manic of its supporters (Braverman et al) has been said and the size and peaceability of this demonstration says that it has all been heard. The tide of opinion against Israel, brushing aside the accusations of anti-semitism which used to scare so many people into staying silent; the conspicuous and desperate lies the IDF is now telling about its actions in emptying Gaza of Gazans, the increased willingness of the MSM to report what is actually happening rather than the Israeli’s sanitised version, all speaks to one thing: the Israeli government’s intense stupidity. It has tried so hard to make the world believe one thing, and now the world is increasingly believing the opposite. The louder Israel shouts about ‘anti-semitism’ and the ‘right of self-defence’ the less the world is listening. And when people who were not at the demonstration find out just how respectful the demonstration was of the Armistice Day parade, they will wonder exactly what Sue Braverman and Rishi Sunak were on about. They will question Sunak’s credibility, not to mention Starmer’s. It’s all stupidity.
And I’m curious, too, about the news that the police, having failed to find any significant number of people to arrest on the main demonstration, only picking up miscreants from the violent counter-demonstration, are investigating ‘serious’ incidents of antisemitism. Do I hear the sound of somebody trying to discredit the demonstration by spreading a melodramatic rumour? More stupidity.
If I’ve read the article correctly, no Jews were confronted with their own Jewishness, but were rather the recipient of gratitude in very publicly confirming the view that Zionism is not the default position of every Jew and the Hasbara lies when it says it is.
Both the Labour and the Tory Party’s position on all this is losing credibility by the hour, as burst tyres lose air.
This demonstration was good news, and I wish I’d been fit enough to have been there. I can’t wait to read what the Jewish Chronicle has to say about it.
I had got to the march hoping to quickly catch up with the Jewish Bloc but didn’t manage it for the best of reasons – the hugeness and density of the march meant getting forward was impossible. But wherever I was in the march I was surrounded by peaceful and compassionate people, the very opposite of Braverman’s wicked portrayal.
I am not a Jew but I have been accepted into the JVL as an associate member and I have experienced comradeship and warmth from all the people that I have met in the organization and I am very grateful for it.
The march was so inspiring. It’s also vital that the voices of Jewish organisation supporting the ceasefire is represented on msm who usually only show one sided Jewish opinions.
I sadly could not join you all in London due to family commitments. I managed however to get to the rally in Leeds (half hour train journey from Keighley). It lifted my spirits and was very moving to see so many young people there, it gives me hope that not all is lost.
Thank you for all of this, JVL colleagues.
It ought to be more widely obvious that the extremist Israeli government is making everything worse for everyone inclusive of all inhabitants of Israel.
Our own establishment politicians are indeed a complete disgrace. Lack of any real choice of government in England seems so obvious. This sad fact is covered up by the appalling mass media which actually rules over us.
Silly Suella expresses her strange views openly whilst sly Starmer carefully crawls before the establishment media and blusters around with near identical disdain for oppressed and dispossessed indigenous people. Both of these politicians lack common sense or a common touch of sympathy.