JEWISH socialists have called for “more powerful” resistance to the rise in fascism 80 years after Kristallnacht in Germany heralded the start of what became the Holocaust.

Nazis violently attacked Jewish people, killing at least 91 and sending thousands to concentration camps, smashing and looting Jewish-owned shops and synagogues throughout Germany and Austria on November 9 and 10 in a pogrom that became known as Kristallnacht (“crystal night”) after the shards of broken glass littering the streets.

Jewish socialists warn of increased far-right activity in the US and Europe, as well as a “diffused” racist movement in Britain including anti-semites with ex-English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson as its figurehead.

Far-right campaigners turned out in large numbers on the streets during June and July, and last month 11 Jews were killed in a Pittsburgh synagogue in an anti-semitic massacre.

A Jewish Socialists’ Group spokesperson said there was an urgent need to unite all anti-racist forces with minority communities to “stop the far-right in their tracks.”

They added that a “more sophisticated operation” was also needed to challenge toxic ideas spread online.

“The left has always played a key part in opposing racism and fascism,” they said.

“There is a big responsibility on the shoulders of progressive Jewish movements to convince the wider Jewish community to focus on our diaspora priorities — to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with migrants, refugees, trade unions and left movements to defend all communities under attack.”

Ensuring a “large and powerful” Jewish bloc at the Unity Against Racism and Fascism National Demonstration is a “step in that direction,” the group said.

The demonstration will take place on Saturday November 17 in London. The Jewish bloc will be meeting at 12pm outside Cafe Nero on Regent Street.