- Metropolitan Police (Met) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) announce arrests for “globalise the intifada” chants/placards at protests, citing post-violence context: “Violent acts have taken place… words have meaning and consequence.”
- Follows Bondi Beach massacre (15 killed, 40 wounded, targeting Jews on Hanukkah); October Manchester synagogue attack (2 Jewish deaths).
- Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis welcomes: Chants “incite hatred… inspire hate action”; meaning is “what happened on Bondi Beach.”
- Board of Deputies of British Jews: “Necessary intervention” after their urging.
- Pro-Palestine: Ben Jamal (PSC) calls it repressive; Ismail Patel (Friends of Al-Aqsa) says it means solidarity to end occupation.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting links to terrorism; PM Keir Starmer: Similar chants a “call to attack Jewish communities.”
- Guardian details: Policy for “targeted” use; officer briefings; Public Order Act near synagogues; no automatic arrests but “enhanced approach.”
- “Intifada” from Arabic “nafada” (uprising/shake off); mixed history (peaceful/armed); British Jews prominent in pro-Palestine marches.
- Gaza war protests context: Ongoing since Oct 2023; police focus on preventing disorder.
The Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police have pledged a crackdown on “globalise the intifada” chants at pro-Palestine protests, promising arrests for targeted use amid heightened fears of antisemitic violence.
As reported by Robert Booth and Vikram Dodd of The Guardian, the forces stated on Wednesday: “Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed – words have meaning and consequence. We will act decisively and make arrests.” They clarified this applies to “those using it at future protests or in a targeted way,” with frontline officers briefed on an “enhanced approach” under the Public Order Act, including conditions around London synagogues during services.
The announcement follows the Bondi Beach massacre in Australia, killing at least 15—mostly Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah’s first night and wounding 40, widely seen as antisemitic. It also references an October synagogue attack in Manchester that killed two Jewish worshippers.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis welcomed the move, as covered by staff writers of Barking & Dagenham Post and Adam Garrie of Middle East Eye.
Why Are Met Police and GMP Targeting ‘Intifada’ Chants Now?
The Guardian’s Robert Booth and Vikram Dodd reported the policy shift stems from recent violence altering the chant’s context at Gaza war protests, ongoing since October 2023. Police emphasised community concerns over targeted usage, distinguishing it from general expression.
As per The Guardian, arrests are not automatic but triggered by context, with officers empowered for immediate action to prevent disorder.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, post-Manchester attack, called similar phrases like “internationalise the intifada” a “call to attack Jewish communities around the world,” as noted by Adam Garrie in Middle East Eye.
What Changed the Context for Police Action?
The Guardian highlighted Bondi Beach and Manchester as pivotal, with police stating explicitly: “Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed.”
What Does Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis Say About the Chants?
As reported by staff writers of Barking & Dagenham Post, Rabbi Mirvis stated on Monday: “For far too long we have allowed chants such as globalise the intifada, which incite hatred and which inspire people to engage in hate action. Why is it still allowed?” He linked it directly: “its meaning is what happened on Bondi Beach.”
Adam Garrie of Middle East Eye echoed this coverage of Mirvis’s remarks.
How Have Jewish Leaders Responded to the Police Pledge?
The Board of Deputies of British Jews hailed it as a “necessary intervention” after “repeated urging from the Board of Deputies and others,” per Adam Garrie in Middle East Eye.
What Is the Pro-Palestine Response to the Crackdown?
Groups reject violence links. Ben Jamal, director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), told Adam Garrie of Middle East Eye: “The widespread attempt across the political establishment to use a grotesque and indefensible violent antisemitic massacre as a weapon to further repress those protesting for the rights of Palestinian people is reprehensible and undermines the fight against antisemitism and broader anti-racist principles.”
Ismail Patel, chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa, added to Middle East Eye: “Intifada means ‘to shake off the Israeli occupation’ and the phrase ‘globalising the intifada’ is simply a way of expressing global solidarity with efforts to end an illegal Israeli occupation and to strive for a just peace.”
Pro-Palestine activists deny antisemitism, noting British Jews’ prominence in UK marches, per Middle East Eye.
What Does ‘Intifada’ Historically Mean?
Middle East Eye explained: From Arabic “nafada” (“to shake off” or “rise up”), meaning “uprising.” Some Arab intifadas were peaceful; Palestinian ones mixed civil disobedience and armed resistance against Israel.
Who in Government Has Condemned the Chant?
Health Secretary Wes Streeting claimed on Monday, as reported by Adam Garrie in Middle East Eye, that “globalise the intifada” is linked to terrorism.
How Will Police Implement the Crackdown at Protests?
The Guardian’s Robert Booth and Vikram Dodd detailed: Frontline briefings for “enhanced approach”; Public Order Act powers for conditions, especially near synagogues. Targeted chants/placards at Gaza war protests will prompt arrests to maintain order.
PSC and Friends of Al-Aqsa organise regular London marches, potentially affected.
Does This Apply to All Uses of the Chant?
No, per The Guardian: Focus on “targeted way” at protests, not blanket bans.
What Is the Link to the Bondi Beach and Manchester Attacks?
Bondi Beach: 15 killed, 40 wounded, targeting Jews on Hanukkah—deemed antisemitic (all sources). Manchester October synagogue: 2 Jewish deaths (Middle East Eye, Guardian, Barking & Dagenham Post).
Rabbi Mirvis and police directly referenced these.
How Does This Fit Broader UK Gaza Protests?
The Guardian framed it within Gaza war demonstrations since October 2023, with police balancing rights and safety. Civil groups, per Middle East Eye, argue misrepresentation erodes anti-racism.
What Are the Implications for Free Speech and Synagogues?
Public Order Act conditions protect services, per all sources. Activists see suppression; Jewish leaders see necessity.
The Guardian noted no prior author bylines for quotes but attributed policy to Met/GMP spokespeople.
Full Coverage Attribution and Context
- The Guardian (Robert Booth and Vikram Dodd): Crackdown details, Gaza protests link, officer briefings, “targeted” clarification.
- Middle East Eye (Adam Garrie): Pro-Palestine statements (Jamal, Patel), intifada etymology, Starmer/Streeting quotes, Board of Deputies, newsletter promo.
- Barking & Dagenham Post (staff writers): Mirvis full quotes.
No contradictions across sources; all align on facts/timelines. This policy tests UK’s protest framework amid global tensions.
