UK Police to Arrest for Chanting ‘Globalize Intifada’
The Chronify
British police yesterday said that anyone publicly chanting pro-Palestinian slogans such as “globalize the intifada” could face arrest, arguing that the meaning and impact of such words have changed after the recent Bondi Beach killings.
In a joint statement, London’s Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police said communities had raised concerns about protest chants and placards.
“Violent events have taken place and the overall context is now different — words carry consequences. We will take firm action, including making arrests where necessary,” the forces said.
The warning follows a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, where gunmen opened fire on crowds, killing 15 people. One attacker, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son, Naveed, was charged in hospital on Wednesday with more than 50 offences, including terrorism and 15 counts of murder.
The Bondi assault occurred two months after a gunman of Syrian origin attacked a synagogue in Manchester on October 2, the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Two people and the attacker were killed in that incident.
UK police have already increased protection around synagogues, Jewish schools and other community locations across Britain.
Following the Bondi shooting, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called on Australia to respond firmly to what he described as rising antisemitism since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 and the ensuing Gaza war. Saar pointed to chants heard at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including “globalize the intifada,” “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” and “death to the IDF.”
Although British prosecutors have previously ruled that such phrases do not meet the legal threshold for criminal charges, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley and Manchester Chief Constable Stephen Watson said police may now take a more assertive approach given the heightened security environment.
The term “intifada” refers to Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation — the first between 1987 and 1993, and the second from 2000 to 2005.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose wife is Jewish, condemned the Bondi Beach shooting as “sickening,” describing it as an antisemitic terror attack targeting Jewish families.
In a joint statement, London’s Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police said communities had raised concerns about protest chants and placards.
“Violent events have taken place and the overall context is now different — words carry consequences. We will take firm action, including making arrests where necessary,” the forces said.
The warning follows a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, where gunmen opened fire on crowds, killing 15 people. One attacker, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son, Naveed, was charged in hospital on Wednesday with more than 50 offences, including terrorism and 15 counts of murder.
The Bondi assault occurred two months after a gunman of Syrian origin attacked a synagogue in Manchester on October 2, the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Two people and the attacker were killed in that incident.
UK police have already increased protection around synagogues, Jewish schools and other community locations across Britain.
Following the Bondi shooting, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called on Australia to respond firmly to what he described as rising antisemitism since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 and the ensuing Gaza war. Saar pointed to chants heard at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including “globalize the intifada,” “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” and “death to the IDF.”
Although British prosecutors have previously ruled that such phrases do not meet the legal threshold for criminal charges, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley and Manchester Chief Constable Stephen Watson said police may now take a more assertive approach given the heightened security environment.
The term “intifada” refers to Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation — the first between 1987 and 1993, and the second from 2000 to 2005.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose wife is Jewish, condemned the Bondi Beach shooting as “sickening,” describing it as an antisemitic terror attack targeting Jewish families.
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