Antisemitism must be “confronted wherever it happens” as a matter of “spiritual integrity” for Christians, the Church of England’s top bishop for interfaith engagement has said.

The Bishop of Willesden, Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, was one of the faith leaders who addressed the Standing Strong: Extinguish Antisemitism rally in London on Sunday. 

There have been a series of attacks against the Jewish community and synagogues in recent months. 

Speaking outside Downing Street, Bishop Lusa said the thousands gathered were united together “because some truths must transcend every division”, namely that “antisemitism is evil, and it must be confronted wherever it appears”. 

Bishop Lusa described antisemitism as a “deliberately cultivated and deeply rooted system of hatred” that has persisted through centuries; when unchecked “democracy itself begins to decay.”

“Wherever antisemitism flourishes, other forms of hatred are never far behind: racism, xenophobia, extremism, conspiracy, and they always metastasise into violence”, he added. 

Emphasising that “no society can call itself free while any community lives in fear”, Bishop Lusa implored Christians to stand up against antisemitism. 

“For those of us shaped by faith, this conviction runs deep. The Jesus I follow was born Jewish, lived Jewish, worshipped as a Jew. So for Christians, standing against antisemitism is not an optional act of generosity toward somebody else. It is a matter of spiritual integrity. We cannot claim to love Jesus while remaining indifferent to hatred directed toward the people from whom he came”, he said. 

Bishop Lusa called for “solidarity and allyship”, with a “commitment to listen to Jewish voices without defensiveness”, as well as a dedication to “interfaith friendship, education, and encounter” so that “fear begins to lose its power”.

Around 20,000 people gathered in Whitehall for the rally, according to the British Board of Deputies.