LIVE: Demonstration against Anti-Semitism march takes place in Manchester - latest updates

Thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of Manchester today for a demonstration against anti-Semitism.

Organisers believe it will be one of the city region's largest single gatherings of Jewish people and supporters ever.

The demonstration, which has been organised by the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region, is due to start at 2pm and involves a march through the centre of Manchester followed by speeches.

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Writing exclusively for the Manchester Evening News this week, the council's chairman, Mark Adlestone, said the march would be peaceful, dignified and reflective. He said it would 'reiterate that Greater Manchester will combat hate in all its manifestations whilst simultaneously side-lining those extremists who seek to harm the peace and tranquillity we cherish'.

"That is what we know Greater Manchester stands for, but we need a public show of support to prove it to all our communities and our entire city," said Mr Adlestone, a former High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester is home to the UK's largest Jewish community outside Greater London.

Anti-Jewish hate has spiked in Greater Manchester and across the country since Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation by the UK government, attacked Israel on October 7 last year. It has led to a bitter and bloody conflict in the Middle East, with subsequent loss of life in Gaza after Israeli attacks on Palestine.

The Community Security Trust, which works within Jewish communities to offer security advice and support, said in its latest report that 338 anti-Semitic incidents have been recorded here in Greater Manchester since the Hamas attack on Israel.