Antisemitic Attack Targets Jews at London Pride March as Police Stand By

During the London Pride march on Saturday, at least two Jewish participants were subjected to antisemitic abuse while police officers present did not intervene or make any arrests. The incident, captured on social media, showed attackers shouting slogans such as "Return to your Zionist homeland" and accusing Jews of killing Arab and gay children, referencing the conflict in Gaza. One attacker called Jews "the most hated people in the world," while a woman was seen verbally abusing a Jewish participant.

Despite a significant police presence promised to ensure safety for tens of thousands of attendees, officers were seen standing nearby without taking action against the perpetrators. The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the videos and stated they are reviewing the footage to investigate the circumstances. Antisemitism watchdog groups demanded that suspects be identified and prosecuted, emphasizing that Jews deserve equal legal protection and condemning the shift from political slogans to direct antisemitic insults.

This attack adds to a rising trend of antisemitic incidents in London, which saw a record 140 hate crimes against Jews in April 2026, up from 98 in March and 67 in February. Areas with large Jewish communities, such as Barnet, recorded the highest numbers, including attempted arson at a Finchley synagogue and vandalism of a memorial in Golders Green. The surge in antisemitic crimes followed the outbreak of conflict between Hamas and Israel in October 2023.

In response, the Metropolitan Police established a dedicated "Community Protection Unit" with 100 officers to combat antisemitic crime. However, critics argue that the unit needs to be tripled in size, with an estimated annual budget of £35 million, to effectively address the growing problem.