UK Police Warn They Will Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’
Metropolitan and Greater Manchester Police say calls to ‘globalise the intifada’ may amount to incitement and could lead to arrests at future demonstrations
Senior police commanders in London and Greater Manchester have issued a strong warning that demonstrators who chant or display slogans such as ‘globalise the intifada’ at public protests can expect to be arrested under existing public order laws, citing concerns that the language could contribute to an intimidating and potentially criminal environment.
The Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police released a joint statement saying that communities are alarmed by the use of inflammatory language at demonstrations, and that officers will act decisively to prevent disorder and protect public safety.
The police said that words carry consequence and that the phrase ‘globalise the intifada’ may amount to incitement to violence, prompting practical and immediate enforcement measures including arrest where appropriate.
The warning follows ongoing debate in Westminster about extremist slogans at protests after a recent attack in Sydney and broader concerns about antisemitism in public discourse.
The United Kingdom’s prime minister has previously stated that calls to “internationalise the intifada” leave no other interpretation than a call to attack Jewish communities around the world, and lawmakers from across parties have urged tougher action against such language at demonstrations.
Civil liberties advocates and pro-Palestinian campaigners have criticised the police position, saying it risks chilling free speech and that authorities have not consulted representative groups before making their announcement.
They argue that lawful protest should be protected while still condemning violence, and that political rhetoric is being conflated with criminal conduct.
The phrase ‘globalise the intifada’ has a long history of use in international demonstrations and has been interpreted by supporters as expressing solidarity with Palestinian resistance, though it remains highly contentious because of its invocation of historical uprisings and their associated violence.
Police forces say they will continue to work with organisers to ensure protests remain peaceful, but that those using language or displays deemed likely to incite violence or threaten public order will face arrest and possible prosecution.
The Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police released a joint statement saying that communities are alarmed by the use of inflammatory language at demonstrations, and that officers will act decisively to prevent disorder and protect public safety.
The police said that words carry consequence and that the phrase ‘globalise the intifada’ may amount to incitement to violence, prompting practical and immediate enforcement measures including arrest where appropriate.
The warning follows ongoing debate in Westminster about extremist slogans at protests after a recent attack in Sydney and broader concerns about antisemitism in public discourse.
The United Kingdom’s prime minister has previously stated that calls to “internationalise the intifada” leave no other interpretation than a call to attack Jewish communities around the world, and lawmakers from across parties have urged tougher action against such language at demonstrations.
Civil liberties advocates and pro-Palestinian campaigners have criticised the police position, saying it risks chilling free speech and that authorities have not consulted representative groups before making their announcement.
They argue that lawful protest should be protected while still condemning violence, and that political rhetoric is being conflated with criminal conduct.
The phrase ‘globalise the intifada’ has a long history of use in international demonstrations and has been interpreted by supporters as expressing solidarity with Palestinian resistance, though it remains highly contentious because of its invocation of historical uprisings and their associated violence.
Police forces say they will continue to work with organisers to ensure protests remain peaceful, but that those using language or displays deemed likely to incite violence or threaten public order will face arrest and possible prosecution.
