Tommy Robinson says he will defy calls for him to stay away from rally against antisemitism
The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, says he will be attending Sunday's CAA rally in central London "in the capacity as a journalist."
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
The far-right activist Tommy Robinson has said he will ignore demands that he stays away from a rally against antisemitism, insisting he will be attending this weekend’s central London event “in the capacity as a journalist.”
The former leader of the English Defence League attempted to present himself as an ally of the Jewish community who was ready to “confront radical jihadism” as he took part in an online meeting on Monday evening.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said he understood why concerns has been raised about his attendance at community rallies, including Sunday’s Campaign Against Antisemitism rally.
But speaking to an audience of around 850 people, including members of the Jewish community in the UK, and in Israel, he said:”I am going there in my capacity as a journalist.
“I say to people saying ‘he shouldn’t be there’, well, maybe you should tell the BBC.
“They are the ones who won’t label Hamas terrorists. Maybe you should tell the Guardian they shouldn’t be there. You even allow Al Jazeera. You allow them to be there.”
NATIONAL SOLIDARITY MARCH AGAINST ANTISEMITISM
Sunday 26th November, 13:30, Central London
As antisemitism surges, Britain stands together in solidarity with its Jewish community.
March with us to show your support.Register for updates: https://t.co/p9MlPavcJH pic.twitter.com/L66DrwupWl
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) November 13, 2023
Earlier this month, after Robinson first announced his plan to attend Sunday’s rally, CAA issued a statement saying:”Contrary to what Tommy Robinson appears to believe, the drunken far-right thugs who came to ‘protect the cenotaph’ on Armistice Day are not allies of the Jewish community and are not welcome at our solidarity march on Sunday 26th November.
“Moreover, his attacks on our Honorary Patron, Lord Ian Austin, show how little he knows about the fight against Jew-hate. Lord Austin is a hero to the Jewish community and anyone who is actually interested in fighting antisemitism knows that.”
During the two-hour long meeting, Robinson also criticised communal groups including the Board of Deputies, and “rabbis” who he said had failed to confront the threat of radical Islam, and had received a “wake up call” after the October 7th Hamas atrocities in Israel.
He accused communal leaders of “pandering to the media” adding “stop pandering, stop apologising for everything.”
The activist said he was willing to engage with Jews at Sunday’s demo who approach him to tell him he should not be at the rally.
He said he had previously been given “amazing reception” when attending rallies in support of Israel.
“Everywhere I go I get an amazing reception,” he added. “I do not get, not even really from Muslims nowadays… I don’t get much grief from them.”
During the meeting Robinson claimed to have been among the first to take on the ideology of groups like Hamas, claiming that radicalisation in his home town of Luton gave him a firsthand view of UK Muslims engaging in antisemitic chants.
He claimed that Israel was currently engaged in a war that needed to be won before it spread to Europe. While he claimed not to be anti-Muslim, he said there was not an example of a country where Muslim immigration had resulted in integration.
Robinson also claimed to have taken on the neo-Nazi far-right after they attacked him for his pro-Israel stance.
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