Prominent British Jews have been advised to review their security arrangements after several were identified on Islamist websites as “financial supporters of Israel”.

As the Gaza death toll rises, police are increasingly concerned about the possibility of “reprisal” attacks on Jewish people and buildings. One post on an Islamic discussion forum, referring to an anti-Israel demonstration this weekend, said: “We need to take some weapons with us, preferably sub-machineguns.”

More than 300 police officers were on duty outside the Israeli Embassy in London last night because of fears of clashes between rival demonstrators.

Anti-Semitic incidents have increased in recent weeks with a synagogue firebombed in northwest London and anti-Israeli graffiti appearing in many Jewish areas.

In France yesterday a 15-year-old girl was attacked by ten youths as she left her school in Villiers-le-Bel, north of Paris. Three of her alleged attackers - aged between 13 and 15 and all from her own school - were arrested on suspicion of “aggravated violence and anti-Semitic insults”.

Scotland Yard's protection command has been in contact with Jewish community groups to consult on security arrangements. A senior police source said: “The situation in Gaza has heightened concern for the whole Jewish community - not just high-profile people, but everyone.”

Last night Jewish groups arranged a solidarity march at the Israeli Embassy in London that was due to start after an anti-Israeli protest had finished. About 2,000 people were expected to attend the pro-Israel march and Scotland Yard said that it had been liaising with both sides to prevent trouble.

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