“The far right... are offering Jews a bear hug”

In May 2026, more than 30 Jewish organisations held a rally outside Downing Street, “Standing Strong: Extinguish Antisemitism”.

 It followed months of antisemitic violence in Britain, including arson attacks on Jewish communities and the stabbing of two British Jews in Golders Green. 

Ahead of the rally, Dr Ruvi Ziegler, Chair of New Europeans UK and a professor at the University of Reading, helped coordinate an open letter to the organisers, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council. He did this with the grassroots organisation We Democracy. 

The letter raised concerns about the invitation to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, citing his record on immigrants and refugees. More than 2,000 people signed it. “The fight against antisemitism must be rooted in solidarity, moral consistency and opposition to all forms of racism and hatred,” the letter said. 

Ruvi warned that “the far right… are offering Jews a bear hug”. The organisers defended their decision. The Board of Deputies said Reform UK was a serious party with growing support that “cannot be ignored”. 

For New Europeans, this goes to the heart of what we stand for. Standing against antisemitism, and against every form of racism and hatred, means standing together, and never at the expense of refugees and migrants.