Police forces will make arrests over intifada chants

British police forces in London and Greater Manchester have announced they will arrest individuals who chant "globalise the intifada" or display placards bearing the same phrase.

The announcement follows Sunday's mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney and references the Manchester synagogue attack in October. Authorities stated that the recent violent acts have altered the context, emphasizing that "words have meaning and consequence," and decisive action, including arrests, will be taken.

The UK's chief rabbi told the BBC this week that chanting "globalise the intifada" contributed to the two attacks. The police forces stated that communities are concerned about the use of the phrase and that anyone using it at future protests or in a targeted manner should expect police action. Frontline officers will receive briefings on this enhanced approach, and powers under the Public Order Act will be utilized, including around London synagogues during services.

Increased visible patrols and security measures have been implemented around synagogues, schools, and community venues in London and Greater Manchester.

In response to the police statement, the Board of Deputies of British Jews expressed strong support, stating that they have long warned that chanting slogans like "globalise the intifada" incites violence and that they have been advocating for robust enforcement regarding this slogan with the government.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in Parliament on Wednesday that the government has increased funding for Jewish security to £28 million. He expressed sadness at the necessity of this measure and announced he had ordered a review of protest and hate crime laws. Starmer was responding to a question from Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who described antisemitism as "poisonous" and called for collective action to eliminate it.

The term "intifada" gained prominence during the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1987. The uprising, which lasted until the early 1990s, was largely unarmed. The Intifada also saw the development of groups outside the control of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) – notably Hamas.

The second Intifada began in September 2000 after a controversial visit by Ariel Sharon to a holy site in Jerusalem. It is sometimes referred to as "al-Aqsa intifada" after the al-Aqsa Mosque in the Haram al-Sharif site, known to Jews as Temple Mount.