Anti-Israel protesters to march through ‘heart’ of small Jewish community in Essex

An anti-Israel march is scheduled pass through a Jewish area of Southend this Shabbat – instead of taking what is described as the “normal route” from the town’s pier towards the High Street.

One of the groups promoting the march, Chelmsford for Palestine, split from national umbrella organisation Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) earlier this year, reportedly over its decision to invite controversial academic David Miller – who has called for Zionists to be “targeted” – to speak at a workshop.

The “Essex march for Palestine” will pass through a quiet residential area that is home to several hundred Jews.

Michael Nelkin, a member and former chair of Southend and Westcliff Hebrew Congregation, a United Synagogue, said the timing and location of the demonstration over Passover is a cause for concern, especially as synagogue-goers would be walking home from the service when the protest begins.

“It is antagonising,” Nelkin said. “I am totally against this march altogether because they are starting so near the synagogue, right in the heart of the Jewish community,” he added, noting that a significant number of strictly Orthodox Jews live in the area.

Nelkin said he had not previously seen a Palestine protest along the Westcliff street where this march is planned. “They normally [start] where the Southend pier is and go up the high street. This is the first time they’ve been to Westcliff and on a quiet residential road.”

He added that he would ask his rabbi to end the service early on Saturday to allow congregants to get home before the protest begins; but he noted that some may still encounter protesters as they assemble nearby.

The planned protest follows recent moves by the Home Secretary to expand police powers aimed at protecting places of worship from disruptive or intimidating demonstrations. These include new conditions on protest routes and timings of marches that may interfere with religious practice.

At the Community Security Trust (CST) annual dinner, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Where a protest has an intimidating effect, such that it prevents people from accessing or attending their place of worship, the full range of public order conditions will be available for the police to use.”

She noted that synagogues such as Central Synagogue and Western Marble Arch had been “hugely disrupted by protest activity” and said the Jewish community must be able to “take part in communal life free from intimidation and fear … particularly when they attend their place of worship.”

In February, the Metropolitan Police moved a weekly anti-Israel rally, which had been taking place close to three synagogues in Swiss Cottage, to King’s Cross after at least 60 alleged criminal offences and following pressure from Jewish community groups and the JC.

The new police powers mean that if Saturday’s demonstration in Essex is deemed intimidating, police could restrict its scale, route or timing.

The protest has been advertised by Chelmsford for Palestine, which claims its aim is to “stop this genocide”.

The group last month resigned from the PSC after inviting the controversial academic David Miller, from whom the PSC has distanced itself, to speak at an event.

Miller, who was reported to the Home Office by the Board of Deputies in March, has urged followers to “find out” where Zionists are and “target them”. He has also accused Jewish schools of promoting Zionism and “radicalising” children.

Following Chelmsford for Palestine’s break from PSC, Miller posted on X: “PSC needs to stop trying to demobilise the movement and stop trying to destroy the anti-Zionist movement which is rising as a result of the genocide in Gaza.”

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Other groups listed on the flyer for Saturday’s protest include Colchester Action for Palestine, Healthcare & Allies 4 Palestine, Association of Student Activism for Palestine, and local PSC branches from Chelmsford, Colchester, Harlow, Peterborough, Cambridge, Redbridge and Dartford.

A rumour circulating on social media that a local synagogue was ordered to close in advance of the demonstration is false. The JC understands no shuls have been asked to shut their doors.

In a statement, Essex Police said: “We’re aware of an event which is planned to take place in Westcliff on Saturday April 19. We have an appropriate and proportionate policing plan in place.

“We’re continuing to engage with our communities to ensure they are safe and feel safe. We would encourage anyone who experiences threatening behaviour, or is worried about their safety, to contact us. Equally, anyone who sees an incident of concern should also contact us.”

Chelmsford for Palestine were contacted for comment.