{"id":2288,"date":"2025-09-15T05:41:23","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T05:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/israelisreal.co\/?page_id=2288"},"modified":"2025-09-15T05:41:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T05:41:23","slug":"manifestacao-unir-o-reino-lota-londres-com-bandeiras-britanicas-e-algumas-israelenses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/israelagora.com.br\/en\/?page_id=2288","title":{"rendered":"‘unite the kingdom’ rally fills london with british and some israeli flags"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Protesters hold up the Israeli and English flags at the “Unite the Kingdom? rally in London, U.K., on Sept. 13, 2025. Photo by Canaan Lidor.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\r\n\t#London<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>

\r\n\tTens of thousands of people participated in a massive “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration in London last Sunday<\/strong><\/p>

Protesters rejected uncontrolled immigration, left-wing policies, and pro-Palestinian protests, demanding freedom of expression. The streets, which often display Palestinian flags at protests, were filled with British and some Israeli flags.\r\n<\/p>

\r\nAbout 150,000 people, from various parts of the United Kingdom and even other countries, marched from Waterloo Station to the British Parliament. They protested increased immigration, restrictions on freedom of expression, and what they called “left-wing ideological imposition.” The Palestinian flag, common at left-wing demonstrations, was seen by participants as a symbol of these issues. The event was organized by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson.\r\n<\/p>

\r\nDuring the protest, Brian Tamaki, leader of the Destiny Church in New Zealand, tore down a Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) flag with the word “Palestine” written on it, drawing applause from the crowd. At another point, many chanted anti-Palestinian slogans.

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A mother and her daughter hold up the Israeli and British flags at the “Unite the Kingdom? rally in London, U.K., on Sept. 13, 2025. Photo by Canaan Lidor.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
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David Robertson, a 64-year-old father of five from near Manchester (340 km from London), told JNS that he finds the anti-Israel protests “disgusting.” He believes the Palestinian flag at these events represents “anti-British and inflammatory speech that incites violence without punishment.” Seeing so many British flags filled him with “pride and hope, like a light in the darkness.” He decided to carry a British flag in response to the presence of Palestinian flags in the capital. “They can use their flags, but we also have the right to use ours. We no longer accept an unequal justice system,” he said.\r\n<\/p>

\r\nRecently, British flags have been appearing more frequently across the country as part of the “Operation Raise the Colors” campaign. This initiative arose because some local governments were removing British flags, citing safety or regulatory concerns, while allowing LGBTQ+ Pride or Ukrainian flags.\r\n<\/p>

\r\nIn addition to British flags, some Israeli and Irish flags were also seen at the protest. Street vendors offered British and Israeli flags. The British government, led by Keir Starmer, was criticized by protesters for its policies, such as a partial arms embargo on Israel.

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A street vendor sells British and Israeli flags at the “Unite the Kingdom? rally in London, U.K., on Sept. 13, 2025. Photo by Canaan Lidor.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
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Martin Gillad, a retired teacher from Brighton, carried both the British and Israeli flags. “I’m flying the British flag because I’m proud of our nation. And the Israeli flag because I value our Judeo-Christian heritage. If we lose that, we’re finished,” he said. He sees the “Raise the Colors” campaign as a response to the rise of Palestinian flags.\r\n<\/p>

\r\nEric Zemmour, a right-wing French politician, said the presence of Palestinian flags and other symbols of Arab nationalism shows that “Europe is being colonized by its former colonies.” Sam van Rooy, a Belgian parliamentarian, said Europeans are tired of anti-Israel demonstrations. “Almost every day there are protests supposedly in favor of Palestine and against Israel. Many people, even those who don’t directly support Israel, are fed up with it,” he said.\r\n<\/p>

\r\nFreedom of expression was a key theme of the protest. Many criticized arrests and convictions on hate speech charges, which they consider unfair. One example is Daffron Williams, a 40-year-old army veteran, who was sentenced to two years in prison for Facebook posts, including one in which he called himself “racist” against those who “disrespect culture” and “suck the life out of society.” Another case involved comedian Graham Linehan, who was arrested for posts on Facebook that police said incited violence against trans people.

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A protester attends a right-wing march in London, U.K., on Sept. 13, 2025. Photo by Canaan Lidor.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
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Protesters also honored Charlie Kirk, an American conservative activist murdered in Utah on September 10th. A conservative Anglican bishop, Ceirion H. Dewar, led prayers for Kirk’s family during the rain, which later gave way to sunshine.\r\n<\/p>

\r\nCamilla, a mother who declined to give her last name for fear of reprisals at work, called Kirk a “hero” in the UK, especially because “even praying can get you arrested these days.” She said Palestinian flags represent “fear” and “Muslim domination.” “Women don’t walk the streets like they used to, they don’t travel as much. It’s not as safe as it used to be. And uneven policing means our children are attacked, and we’re arrested just for talking about it,” she said.\r\n<\/p>

\r\nThere were also Jewish Londoners at the protest, some wearing Star of David pendants or pins for Israeli hostages in Gaza. Since October 2023, when Hamas killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 251, displaying Jewish symbols in London has become risky due to the rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes. Ruy Willian Dorre, one of the Jews present, said: “These people are simple workers, angry about illegal immigration, Islamofascism, and the loss of freedom of expression. They are called fascists by critics, but I feel safe being recognizably Jewish here. Outside the protest, in London, I am a target.”

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Scene from the “United the Kingdom? march in London, U.K., on Sept. 13, 2025. Photo by Canaan Lidor.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
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Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek stated that “social decay” can be reversed with “remigration.” But there is pessimism among some. Sam van Rooy believes that if nothing changes, Western European societies are at risk. “Jews are like the canary in the coal mine. After October 7, 2023, Western Europe is collapsing under left-wing and Islamic tyranny, and also anti-Semitism,” she said.\r\n<\/p>

\r\nDespite this, Camilla remains hopeful. “We are in a difficult situation, but don’t give up on us. We have survived so many things, so many wars. These streets have been bombed. We can overcome this again, with determined but peaceful actions.”

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Published in 09\/15\/2025 05h41<\/em><\/p>\r\n

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Portuguese version<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n

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Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.<\/p>\r\n\t\t

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Reference article:<\/p>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n