Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, was one of over 100,000 people to take part in a march against antisemitism yesterday to show her support for the Jewish community.
Ms Villiers is a long-time campaigner against antisemitism and racism, and she joined celebrities such as Vanessa Feltz, Robert Rinder, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Elliot Levey and Maureen Lipman close to the front of the protest, which was led off by Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, and Security Minister, Tom Tugenhat.
Antisemitic hate crimes have increased significantly since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict. According to the Met Police, in the first 18 days of October, there was a 1353% increase in antisemitic offences.
Speaking at the march, Theresa Villiers said “I am horrified by the increase in antisemitic incidents since the vile terror attacks by Hamas in October. This is completely unacceptable in a civilised society. In Parliament I have urged police to use the full force of the law against anyone committing these hate crimes.”
“I welcome the opportunity to show my visible support for the Jewish community at this protest. I am here to stand should-to-shoulder with my Jewish constituents. I also reiterate my strong support for the right of Israel to defend its citizens from terrorist attack, including military intervention to remove the capacity of Hamas to repeat the atrocities it perpetrated on 7th October.”
The protest started outside the Royal Courts of Justice in The Strand, proceeded along the Embankment to Trafalgar Square before ending up outside Parliament for speeches from Home Office Minister Robert Jenrick and others.
