warning of "rising antisemitism on our streets". Sir Keir said it was "un-British to have little respect for others" by staging demonstrations on the anniversary, adding protests had been used by some as a "despicable excuse to attack British Jews". The UK is seeing heightened security to protect Jewish communities after last week's deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue. Students from London universities took part in a joint march, while rallies took place in Edinburgh, Belfast and Sheffield.

Universities UK - which represents the university sector - said while universities were places where contentious views can be expressed, students and staff taking part in protests should consider the timing of protests scheduled for 7 October. Writing in the Times, Sir Keir said that while some have protested against the Israeli government's actions in Gaza, "others have used this as a despicable excuse to attack British Jews for something over which they have absolutely no responsibility". "On the anniversary of the atrocities of October 7, students are once again planning protests," he said. "This is not who we are as a country. It's un-British to have so little respect for others. And that's before some of them decide to start chanting hatred towards Jewish people all over again." Sir Keir stressed that the UK would "always stand tall and united" against those seeking to harm Jewish communities. Around 100 people joined a rally at the University of Sheffield. Asked about the prime minister's suggestion it was "un-British" to protest today, organiser Anton Parocki told the BBC: "It's just disgraceful." "What I think is insensitive, is that there has been two years of genocide," he said. "Conflating that (actions of Benjamin) Netanyahu with Judaism is actually antisemitic. (BBC)