London and Manchester are particularly affected by an increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the past week. The Times writes that there was a failed arson attack on Brondesbury Park Synagogue in northwest London on Saturday. It is unclear whether that occured during the 50,000 strong anti-Israel march in London, or after there were clashes between protestors and riot police outside the Israeli embassy.

The Jewish community in North London has also increased security, particularly around schools and public buildings.

A national demonstration against Israeli attacks on Hamas targets that have so far claimed more than 600 lives, including civilians, is planned for next Saturday in London. Let's hope that the British Left can have a positive impact at this rally, opposing Israel's war crimes as well as Hamas's fanaticism.

So far, there has been little sign of this. Some left-wing bloggers claim that human rights activist Peter Tatchell was the 'only' (prominent) participant in last Saturday's demonstration to denounce both Israel's and Hamas's actions (on a placard). At the same time, support for Hamas and Hezbollah went unchallenged.

George Galloway, one of the protest-leaders, is reported to have said that the situation in Gaza is the same as it was in the Warsaw Ghetto. Between 400,000 and 500,000 Jews were killed in the latter.