Police forces in London and Manchester have issued a stark warning that protesters chanting the slogan "globalise the intifada" will face arrest in the wake of the deadly terrorist attack on Jewish people in Sydney.
Context Changed After Sydney and Manchester Attacks
The joint statement from the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) comes after two gunmen killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach. This incident occurred roughly two months after a terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, which claimed two lives.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson stated that "the context has changed" following these violent acts. They emphasised that words carry meaning and consequence, and officers will now take a more assertive stance.
"We know communities are concerned about placards and chants such as 'globalise the intifada' and those using it at future protest or in a targeted way should expect the Met and GMP to take action," the senior officers said.
Surge in Antisemitic Crime and Legal Thresholds
The police leaders confirmed that antisemitic hate crime has surged dramatically since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza. They acknowledged that current laws are often seen as inadequate, with prosecutors advising that many inflammatory phrases do not meet the legal threshold for prosecution.
However, they declared a recalibration of their approach. "Now, in the escalating threat context, we will recalibrate to be more assertive," the statement read. Frontline officers will be briefed on this new policy and will utilise Public Order Act powers, including imposing conditions around London synagogues during services.
Political and Community Calls for Action
The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, has been a prominent voice demanding action against hate speech at pro-Palestinian marches. He argued that slogans like "globalise the intifada" must be clearly deemed unlawful, pointing to the tragic consequences seen in Sydney and Manchester.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged that the Bondi Beach attack was not an isolated incident, but part of a pattern targeting Jewish holy days. Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones also urged people to refrain from using chants like "globalise the intifada" and "from the river to the sea", which she said are designed to intimidate and call for violence.
The alleged Bondi Beach gunman, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police, while his son, Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder. The police statement underscores a determined shift in strategy to confront hate speech head-on as the threat level rises.
