Green Party leader Zack Polanski has said he would discourage the use of the phrase 'globalise the intifada' on protest marches, but added that he is not interested in policing people's language. Speaking to the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Polanski emphasised that while words matter, the focus should remain on the broader issues of Palestinian and Lebanese casualties.
Polanski's Stance
Polanski stated: “It’s not a phrase I would use personally and that’s because I think if there’s other phrases you can use or other ways to do things then why not just do them. I want people to be more effective so I wouldn’t encourage people to use it because actually I think you can make your point a lot more effectively and not get into this conversation about language. Words matter, but the tens of thousands of Palestinians who have been murdered, the people in Lebanon who have been killed, these people matter too, and I think if people want to protest, that it’s important we defend their right to protest. Yes I do discourage, to give you a more direct answer, the use of the phrase but I’m not interested in trying to police people’s language.”
Met Police Warning
The Met Police commissioner Mark Rowley had earlier told BBC Breakfast that individuals using the phrase “globalise the intifada” are “likely to be arrested.” Rowley confirmed that arrests and charges have already been made in connection with such behaviour, stating: “We said that before Christmas and we’ve already got people arrested and charged and in court for such behaviour.”
The phrase 'globalise the intifada' has been a contentious point in protests related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with authorities viewing it as potentially inciting violence. Polanski's comments come ahead of the 7 May local elections, highlighting the ongoing debate over protest language and freedom of expression.
