Anti-Israel activists gathered outside St John’s Wood United Synagogue in London, England, on Sunday night.
Their demonstration targeted a World Zionist Organization (WZO) Aliyah Day event that offered immigration information and personal guidance to British Jews interested in moving to Israel.
Hostile Chants and Harassment Outside a Synagogue
The protest was organized by Jewish Anti-Zionist Action (JAZA) and Palestine Pulse. Activists projected slogans onto the synagogue’s walls and held banners claiming that anti-Zionism was not antisemitism, a claim directly contradicted by the IHRA definition, which classifies the denial of Jewish self-determination as antisemitic. They also accused the event of enabling “genocide” and “colonization,” despite it being a routine community program.
Masked activists chanted, “We don’t want two states, Palestine ’48,” and “From the river to the sea, Zionism is f**king treif.” One protester told Hearn to “go away, Zio.” Another accused Jews of wanting to harm children and insisted that only “real Jews” supported the demonstration.
Stop The Hate UK organized a small counter-protest nearby. Supporters held Israeli and British flags to show solidarity with the synagogue and its attendees.
“Stolen lands sold here.”
That’s what rioters projected onto the wall of the SJW Synagogue in London tonight, while families were inside for the concert of the Israeli singer Ishay Ribo.
The Free Palestine crowd isn’t fooling anyone. When they rally outside our synagogue,… pic.twitter.com/GJJnhPatBb
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) November 23, 2025
Police Restrictions and Community Concerns
The Metropolitan Police set up a restricted zone around the building. Officers arrested two individuals: one for a racially aggravated public order offense and another for ignoring protest conditions. Police officials noted that they could not ban the protest, but used Public Order Act powers to reduce the risk of disorder.
The synagogue event concluded safely, but communal leaders expressed deep concern. United Synagogue President Saul Taylor condemned the decision to target a house of worship. He urged British Jews to respond by attending synagogue programs, social gatherings, and volunteer activities.
The WZO also stressed that intimidation would not disrupt its work. The organization said aliyah events strengthened Jewish identity and helped Diaspora Jews pursue their future in Israel.
JAZA Rejects Jewish Self-Determination Entirely
In a public statement, JAZA claimed it was “heartbreaking” to protest at a synagogue, yet insisted the location was appropriate because the event supported Israel. The group rejected aliyah, described it as “colonial,” and claimed that Jews “should feel at home wherever they live.” It added, “Palestine always has, and always will, belong to the Palestinians.”
By denying the Jewish people’s right to return to their historic homeland, JAZA echoed rhetoric that falls squarely within widely recognized examples of modern antisemitism.
A Disturbing Transatlantic Pattern: “We Need to Make Them Scared”
The London incident came only days after an alarming scene at Park East Synagogue in New York City. Protesters there targeted a Nefesh B’Nefesh immigration event. One organizer shouted, “We need to make them scared,” a phrase the crowd repeated. Other chants included:
- “Death, death to the IDF”
- “From New York to Gaza, globalize the intifada”
- “Say it loud, say it clear, we don’t want no Zionists here”
- “Resistance, you make us proud, take another settler out”
- “We don’t want no two states, we want ’48”
- “Resistance is justified”
- “No peace on stolen land”
- “Settlers, settlers, go back home, Palestine is ours alone”
The crowd reached the synagogue steps and created a threatening environment for those inside.
Jewish Institutions Must Not Become Protest Stages
Jewish leaders in both countries warned that these demonstrations crossed fundamental lines. The Board of Deputies of British Jews condemned the London protest as “absolutely unacceptable.” It stressed that anti-Israel activists have repeatedly pushed boundaries by choosing Jewish religious sites as protest venues.
American communal leaders made similar statements after the New York protest. They noted that demonstrations framed as “anti-Zionist” often turn into direct harassment of Jewish communities. The location and rhetoric leave little doubt about the intent.
Aliyah Events Will Continue Despite Pressure
The WZO plans to continue its programming. Another aliyah event was scheduled for the following evening. WZO UK & EU representative Matan Bar-Noy emphasized that intimidation would not deter the organization’s mission: “Nothing will stop us… We will continue to hold events, develop programs, and lead Aliyah — now and in the future.”
A Clear Warning and a Moment That Demands Resolve
These coordinated protests strike at something far deeper than politics. By targeting aliyah events, activists are attempting to intimidate Jews from pursuing the one place on Earth where they have full safety, sovereignty, and belonging. At the same time, synagogues are being turned into targets for anti-Israel rage. When crowds chant “We don’t want two states, Palestine ’48,” outside synagogues, the intent is unmistakable. These incidents reveal a level of hostility that should unsettle anyone who believes in religious freedom. They expose a campaign designed to undermine Jewish safety at its core, both in the Diaspora and in the Jewish homeland, and they demand a clear, unwavering response.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
