Police forces in London and Manchester have announced a significant recalibration of their approach to pro-Palestinian demonstrations, pledging to arrest individuals chanting “globalise the intifada” or displaying placards with the phrase. This heightened stance, detailed by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson, follows an increase in attacks against Jewish people, including fatal incidents in Manchester and Sydney, Australia. The police chiefs emphasized that “words and chants used, especially in protests, matter and have real-world consequences,” acknowledging that previous advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) often deemed such phrases as not meeting prosecution thresholds. However, in an “escalating threat context,” they stated a more assertive approach would be adopted.

Frontline officers will receive enhanced briefings on this new policy, which includes utilizing powers under the Public Order Act and imposing conditions around London synagogues during services. Both forces have also stepped up visible patrols and protective security measures around synagogues, schools, and Jewish community venues. Detectives are intensifying hate crime investigations, and Counter Terrorism Policing continues its 24/7 operations to identify and disrupt threats. The goal is to create a hostile environment for offenders and a safer one for Jewish communities, while still protecting lawful protest. The police chiefs underscored that it is possible to protest in support of Palestinian people without intimidating Jewish communities or breaking the law.

The term “intifada” itself carries contested meanings. For Palestinians, it literally translates to uprising or resistance and refers to historical uprisings against Israel, signifying resistance against oppression. However, for many Israelis and Jewish communities, the term is associated with violence, including suicide attacks, and chants of “globalise the intifada” on British streets are perceived as a direct call for new violence against those of their faith. The ultimate interpretation of intent and criminal offense, if any, may rest with magistrates and juries.

The announcement has elicited varied reactions from key organizations. The Community Security Trust (CST), a leading group for Jewish safety in Britain, welcomed the move as a “necessary and important first step to turning back this tide of violent incitement,” particularly given the global wave of terrorism against Jews. Similarly, the UK’s Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, hailed the decision as “an important step towards challenging the hateful rhetoric we have seen on our streets.” In contrast, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) director, Ben Jamal, condemned the plan as “political repression of protest for Palestinian rights,” arguing that uttering the word intifada is not an incitement to violence. Jamal also expressed concern that this policy disproportionately allows groups with pro-Israel stances to interpret protest slogans, potentially impacting even chants like “Free, free Palestine.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) chief executive Gideon Falter also welcomed the arrests for this chant but criticized police chiefs for what he perceived as a belated response, calling the measure a “useless token” unless marches are banned altogether. He argued that police have been too lenient previously, allowing extremism to escalate. Regarding the legal framework, Lionel Idan, the CPS’s hate crime lead, confirmed the service is working closely with police and communities to address antisemitic hate crimes. He stated that the CPS will carefully consider each case for charging decisions, acknowledging that some offenses are context-specific and that they will work with police to gather sufficient evidence to meet charging thresholds. The CPS statement did not explicitly mention a ban on the term “globalise the intifada,” reinforcing a case-by-case prosecutorial approach.