My visit to the "Salute to Israel" parade
Ben | 01.07.2008 09:31
The UK's first-ever "Salute to Israel" parade swept through the streets of central London and Manchester on Sunday and myself and a my daughter went to London to watch. I had been worried about protests and possible violence but was convinced to go by a long time activist in my office.
Estimates indicate about 30,000 people attended, way more than expected together with more than 50 carnival floats, accompanied by bands, dancers and cyclists. Police estimates put over 10,000 along the streets of Piccadilly to Piccadilly Circus. The parade ended with a rally in Trafalgar Square where over 30,000 people converged.
The Manchester parade I understand ended with a huge celebration in the city's Heaton Park.
Organized and supported by a wide range of Anglo-Jewish organizations under the direction of the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council, the parade - intended to show solidarity with and support for Israel and was part of the UK's celebrations of Israel's 60th anniversary.
On the day the Secretary of State for Schools and Families Ed Balls paid tribute to Israel, saying that while the UK has lived with the threat of terrorism for the last few years, people in the UK did not understand what Israeli citizens had to confront on a daily basis. Balls also spoke about the people of Sderot, saying, "We admire their courage and determination to live their lives, to finish their schooling and fulfil their dreams," he said, to huge applause.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Issac Herzog, who attended the event, hit out at Israel's detractors who - he said - did not "have a clue" about Israel and about Israelis or the country's achievements and struggles. A message of thanks from President Shimon Peres was relayed on huge screens and London Mayor Boris Johnson welcomed revellers. Celebrity messages of support from Bill Clinton, Michael Douglas, Ashton Kutcher, Ben Stiller and Billy Crystal were also transmitted on the screens.
A wide array of performers, including Israeli punk band Useless ID, Grammy Award-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari and Jewish rap artist Antithesis, provided the entertainment.
Charlie and I then walked around the square to talk to those attending, the atmosphere was light and friendly although I did see an attempt by a small group (about five people) to try and wind up one of the stewards with some pretty hateful Holocaust references. I'm glad to say he ignorded this and just kept smiling and laughing at them until they got bored and left. This was the only real protesting we saw. Charlie loved the fountains being dyed red, I'm not sure whose idea it was but it was great the children all thought it was really fun. We left at about 6pm but the party was still in full swing so I assume it carried on for a while.
The Manchester parade I understand ended with a huge celebration in the city's Heaton Park.
Organized and supported by a wide range of Anglo-Jewish organizations under the direction of the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council, the parade - intended to show solidarity with and support for Israel and was part of the UK's celebrations of Israel's 60th anniversary.
On the day the Secretary of State for Schools and Families Ed Balls paid tribute to Israel, saying that while the UK has lived with the threat of terrorism for the last few years, people in the UK did not understand what Israeli citizens had to confront on a daily basis. Balls also spoke about the people of Sderot, saying, "We admire their courage and determination to live their lives, to finish their schooling and fulfil their dreams," he said, to huge applause.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Issac Herzog, who attended the event, hit out at Israel's detractors who - he said - did not "have a clue" about Israel and about Israelis or the country's achievements and struggles. A message of thanks from President Shimon Peres was relayed on huge screens and London Mayor Boris Johnson welcomed revellers. Celebrity messages of support from Bill Clinton, Michael Douglas, Ashton Kutcher, Ben Stiller and Billy Crystal were also transmitted on the screens.
A wide array of performers, including Israeli punk band Useless ID, Grammy Award-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari and Jewish rap artist Antithesis, provided the entertainment.
Charlie and I then walked around the square to talk to those attending, the atmosphere was light and friendly although I did see an attempt by a small group (about five people) to try and wind up one of the stewards with some pretty hateful Holocaust references. I'm glad to say he ignorded this and just kept smiling and laughing at them until they got bored and left. This was the only real protesting we saw. Charlie loved the fountains being dyed red, I'm not sure whose idea it was but it was great the children all thought it was really fun. We left at about 6pm but the party was still in full swing so I assume it carried on for a while.
Ben