Jewish Group Barred From Anti-Fascist Commemoration Over Political Stance

A pro-Israel group has been excluded from a 90th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Holbeck Moor, an event where anti-fascist protesters repelled Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists in Leeds. Stop The Hate Leeds, a pro-Israel campaign, was informed its presence would be "divisive" due to its members' political views.

Philip Marks, an organizer for Stop The Hate Leeds, expressed deep disappointment, noting his father and grandfather participated in the original 1936 clash. "The organisers have told us they consider our members far-right because they support Reform," Marks stated. "It's deeply disappointing that only Jewish people of a certain political persuasion can attend. Can you imagine any other group being told what political views they can and can't have?"

The Battle of Holbeck Moor occurred on September 27, 1936, when approximately 1,000 members of Mosley's British Union of Fascists marched to Holbeck Moor. They were met by an estimated 30,000 anti-fascist protesters, organized by the Communist Party. Protesters drowned out Mosley's attempts to speak by singing "The Red Flag" and shouting, leading to a confrontation that eventually forced the Blackshirts to retreat.

The anniversary event, organized by the Leeds branch of Stand Up To Racism, includes a march through the city. Stop The Hate Leeds had informed organizers of their intention to attend with their own flags and banners, emphasizing their identity and community's connection to the historical event.

In response, Stand Up To Racism Leeds sent an email stating that Stop The Hate Leeds had "shown to not support SUTR and have welcomed Reform officials to your events. You also support a far right government in Israel conducting a genocide in Gaza." The email continued, "We want to unite people against the far right and feel that your presence as an organisation would be divisive and we will regard it as countering our event." They requested that Stop The Hate Leeds not attend as an organization.

Marks denied that his group had hosted a Reform speaker and distanced himself from a national pro-Israel organization with a similar name. Stand Up To Racism Leeds issued a statement affirming its commitment to opposing antisemitism and welcoming individuals whose families were involved in the Battle of Holbeck Moor, but not Stop The Hate Leeds as a group.

A blue plaque commemorating the Battle of Holbeck Moor was unveiled in Leeds in 2024. Thousands of protesters stood against Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts in Leeds. Mosley attempted to address his supporters but was ultimately forced to retreat.