British Jewish organisations are set to hold a vigil in central London on Wednesday evening to honour the victims of the 7 October attacks in Israel, marking the third anniversary of the violence. The event, scheduled for 5 p.m. at Richmond Terrace opposite Downing Street, follows a day of tributes from political figures and community leaders across the United Kingdom.
The attacks occurred on 7 October 2023, when Hamas militants infiltrated Israel, killing approximately 1,200 civilians—including men, women, and children—injuring thousands more, and taking 251 hostages. The Board of Deputies of British Jews described the toll as a lasting tragedy, while the Jewish Leadership Council called the day “the deadliest for our people since the Holocaust.”
In the aftermath, Israel launched military operations in Gaza. According to Gaza’s health ministry, which is overseen by the Hamas-led government, the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 74,000 in the three years since the initial attacks.
Political leaders in the UK have marked the anniversary with statements addressing both the tragedy and the impact on British Jewish communities. Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, expressed solidarity in a statement, condemning antisemitism and affirming support for the Jewish community. Burnham highlighted the ongoing repercussions of the 7 October attacks worldwide and noted a concerning rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK in recent years.
The Community Security Trust (CST), which tracks antisemitic incidents in the UK, reported 1,926 cases recorded between January and June 2026. This figure represents a 20 percent increase compared with the same period in 2025 and is the second highest half-year total since data collection began. The highest number was recorded in the first half of 2024, following the 2023 attacks and the ensuing conflict.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the increase in antisemitic behavior as “disturbing” but pledged the government’s commitment to protecting citizens from hatred and violence. Funding has been allocated for the security of synagogues, schools, and community centers.
Reflecting on a related tragedy, Burnham referenced the attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur in 2025. The assailant, Jihad Al-Shamie, killed two worshippers before being shot by police. Burnham underscored that antisemitism has no place in Britain and vowed to combat abuse and violence within all facets of society.
The Israeli embassy expressed deep disappointment over what it described as a shift in the British government’s stance towards Israel since 2023. The embassy stated that the climate for Jewish communities in the UK has worsened, amid policies such as last month’s announcement by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband to ban imports from Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law.
In parallel, authorities are preparing for pro-Palestine demonstrations planned in several UK cities on Wednesday afternoon. The Metropolitan Police said they had imposed strict conditions on a student-led march in London, while similar rallies are expected at universities in Edinburgh and Glasgow.