London vigil planned for 7 October attack victims

British Jewish organisations are set to hold a vigil in central London on Wednesday to commemorate the victims of the 7 October attacks in Israel. The event is scheduled to take place at 5pm at Richmond Terrace, opposite Downing Street.

Commemoration of Attacks

The Board of Deputies of British Jews stated that Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel three years ago, resulting in the murder of 1,200 individuals and the taking of 251 people captive. The Jewish Leadership Council described 7 October as the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. The attacks preceded Israel’s war in Gaza, which has resulted in a significant Palestinian death toll according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Rise in Antisemitic Incidents

The Community Security Trust (CST), an organisation that monitors antisemitism, reported that 1,926 antisemitic incidents were recorded across the United Kingdom between January and June 2026. This figure represents a one-fifth increase compared to the first half of the previous year and is the second-highest total recorded by the CST for the initial six months of any year. The highest number of incidents was recorded in the first half of 2024, following the 2023 Hamas attacks and the commencement of Israel’s war in Gaza.

The prime minister acknowledged the rise in antisemitic behaviour in the UK since 2023 as disturbing. He pledged that the government is committed to protecting citizens from hatred and to stamping out antisemitism.

Government and Police Response

Andy Burnham, addressing the Jewish community, stated his support and affirmed that abuse and violence against them would not be tolerated. He highlighted government funding for the protection of synagogues, schools, and community buildings, and vowed to take strong action against antisemitism. The prime minister also reiterated the commitment to protecting citizens from hatred.

The Israeli embassy expressed deep sadness regarding the British government's changing position towards Israel since the 7 October attacks. This comes after the foreign secretary announced an import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine last month.

In parallel, the Metropolitan police announced that stringent conditions have been imposed on participants of a pro-Palestine student march scheduled to take place in London on Wednesday afternoon. Similar pro-Palestine rallies are also planned at universities in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

What Happens Next

The vigil is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Richmond Terrace. The Metropolitan police will oversee the pro-Palestine student march in London, with stringent conditions in place.