Giles Coren, The Times journalist, has apologised for referring to antisemitism in Britain as “a bit of name-calling and some rude graffiti”.
The columnist and restaurant critic, who identifies as Jewish, claimed he “f***ed it” in his latest column for the newspaper in which he wrote about last Sunday’s demonstration against growing antisemitic prejudices in the UK.
The march from the New Broadcasting House to Parliament Square, was addressed by the likes of Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice.
Mr Coren, 56, said he did not attend the rally compared to other years, adding that it was “a far harder sell” this time round.
It comes amid Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, which has reportedly killed more than 60,000 Palestinians over the past two years.
“Say it loud. Say it clear. Jew-hate is not welcome here.”
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) September 8, 2025
The media may not want to show you this. So, we will.
This is what 70,000 people standing against antisemitism looks like.
Jews and their allies proudly waved the flag of this country as we called for an end to hate on… pic.twitter.com/wxk4Ef3o4G
An estimated 60,000 people participated in “Britain’s March Against Antisemitism”, organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism, over the weekend.
This compared to 100,000 people who protested in 2023 following the October 7 massacre, which saw Hamas terrorists kill 1,200 Israelis and kidnap a further 250.
In his diary published on Monday, Mr Coren wrote: “I can’t speak for the celebs and the missing 40,000. I have no idea why they didn’t go this time. But it won’t be because they think antisemitism has been beaten. And it wasn’t raining.
“So maybe, like me, they thought that, set against the horrors visited upon Gaza in the past two years, a bit of name-calling and some rude graffiti look, frankly, a bit piddling.”
“Perhaps, like me, they thought that the single most important thing the Jews, some Jews, can do to mitigate global antisemitism is to stop the assault.”
Danny Stone, chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, said Mr Coren’s comments were “as naive as they are insulting”.
Mr Stone stated in a letter to The Times: “(Coren) fails to understand that antisemitism has become viral online and in real life, with deadly consequences across the world.
“Furthermore, Coren implies that not only does marching against anti-Jewish racism in some way mean associating oneself with the policies of the Israeli government, but that the best thing Jews can do to stop antisemitism is avoid being seen as representatives of said government.
“In a month when at a pro-Palestinian rally people were told they had to hold Jews ‘to account’ his article risks endorsing the antisemitic approach of holding Jews collectively responsible for the Middle East conflict.”
Addressing the backlash of recent his column, Mr Coren posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Listen, I f***ed that column yesterday. I thought I had something to say but I f***ed it.
I muffed it… and I am really sorry
He later told Times Radio: “I have written endlessly about antisemitism where it must be stamped out. But as I come slightly to be… a lot of Jewish popular opinion here (is) to be horrified by the death in Gaza. And I have felt implicated as a Jew.
“We are not responsible for the Israeli government for what is happening in Gaza, which upsets me but I now know I shouldn’t criticise.
“I made a couple of false associations. I belittled British antisemitism. Of course, it’s not “We Jews” and it’s not “Me” and it’s not “Us” and it’s not “Jews”. It’s the state of Israel. I muffed it… and I am really sorry.”
The Community Security Trust — a charity whose stated mission is to provide safety and advice to the Jewish community — recorded 3,528 antisemitic incidents in 2024.
This marked the second-highest total ever reported in a year — a number which included 201 physical assaults.
A recent poll conducted by YouGov also found that 21 per cent of Britons now hold or agree with antisemitic views.
The day before the CAA march, 890 people were arrested at a sit-in in Westminster against the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, the Metropolitan Police said.
