In a move that marks a significant "recalibration" of British policing, the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have issued a joint warning: protesters using the phrase "globalise the intifada" now face immediate arrest. This isn't just a policy update; it's a direct response to a changing global context where words are being linked to lethal actions on the streets.
The Turning Point: Bondi Beach and Heaton Park
For months, police have faced criticism for their perceived "inaction" during pro-Palestinian marches. However, police chiefs argue that the legal threshold for prosecution has shifted because the threat context has fundamentally changed.
Two specific, violent events have served as the catalyst for this new, more assertive approach:
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The Bondi Beach Shooting (December 2024): A horrific terror attack in Sydney, Australia, where a father and son opened fire on families celebrating Hanukkah. The massacre left 15 people dead and sent shockwaves through the global Jewish community.
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The Heaton Park Synagogue Attack (October 2025): Closer to home, a "marauding terrorist attack" occurred in Manchester during Yom Kippur. An attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, rammed a car into worshippers and engaged in a stabbing spree, resulting in three deaths.
In their joint statement, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson were blunt: "Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed—words have meaning and consequence."
Why "Globalise the Intifada"?
The term intifada is Arabic for "uprising." While many protesters argue it is a call for resistance against occupation, many in the Jewish community view the call to "globalise" it as a direct incitement to violence against Jewish people worldwide.
Police have consistently been advised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that many controversial phrases do not meet the threshold for a "hate crime" prosecution. However, following the Sydney and Manchester attacks, police are now treating this specific slogan as a "tide of violent incitement" that crosses the line into criminality.
Deterrence and Detection
The new strategy involves more than just arrests at protests. The Met and GMP are stepping up:
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Visible Patrols: Increased police presence around synagogues, schools, and community centers.
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Protective Security: Enhanced measures for Jewish community venues during religious festivals and services.
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Hostile Environment for Offenders: Utilizing powers under the Public Order Act to impose strict conditions on marches and target individuals using intimidating language.
A Divided Reaction
The announcement has been met with both relief and condemnation. The Community Security Trust (CST) welcomed the move, stating it comes "not a moment too soon." Conversely, groups like the Palestine Solidarity Campaign have criticized the plan as "political repression," arguing it infringes on the democratic right to protest.
As the UK navigates this escalating tension, the message from the country's two largest police forces is clear: the era of "policing with a light touch" for inflammatory rhetoric is over.
Sources
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The Guardian: Met Police and GMP pledge crackdown on ‘intifada’ chants – Coverage of the joint police statement and the legal recalibration.
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ITV News: Protesters to be arrested in 'context change' wake – Detailed breakdown of the connection between the Bondi Beach attack and UK arrests.
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Sky News: Protesters face arrest after Bondi Beach terror attack – Updates on the charges against the Sydney shooters and the Chief Rabbi's reaction.
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Greater Manchester Police: Joint Statement from the Commissioner and Chief Constable – Official press release regarding the enhanced policing approach.
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Al Jazeera: Manchester Synagogue Attack: What We Know – Historical context on the October 2025 attack in Crumpsall.
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