UK Police Announce Arrests for 'Globalise the Intifada' Chants Amid Heightened Threat Context

Police Adopt 'More Assertive' Stance

London's Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) announced on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, that they will now arrest individuals chanting 'globalise the intifada' or displaying placards bearing the phrase at public demonstrations. This marks a significant recalibration of police approach, with authorities stating they will be 'more assertive' in response to such expressions. The decision was communicated in a joint statement by Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson.

The police chiefs emphasized that 'words have meaning and consequence' and that the context surrounding such chants has fundamentally changed due to recent violent incidents.

Context of Recent Attacks and Escalating Threat

The enhanced enforcement policy comes in the wake of two specific terror attacks that have heightened security concerns. Authorities referenced a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, which resulted in 15 fatalities and targeted a Hanukkah festival. Additionally, a knife attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on October 2, which killed two people, was cited as a contributing factor to the changed threat landscape.

In their joint statement, Sir Mark Rowley and Sir Stephen Watson noted that Jewish communities across the UK are experiencing increased fear and that antisemitic hate crime has surged since 2023. They stated, 'Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed – words have meaning and consequence. We will act decisively and make arrests.'

Legal Basis and Initial Enforcement

The police intend to utilize powers under the Public Order Act for these arrests. Previously, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had advised that many phrases causing concern in Jewish communities did not meet prosecution thresholds. However, in the 'escalating threat context,' police forces are now adopting a more robust interpretation. Frontline officers are being briefed on this new, enhanced approach.

Hours after the announcement, initial arrests were made. Two individuals were detained outside the Ministry of Justice in Westminster, London, during a pro-Palestinian demonstration for allegedly shouting slogans calling for 'intifada,' which were classified as racially aggravated public order offences. A third person was arrested for obstructing police during these arrests, contributing to a total of five arrests at the protest.

Reactions and Interpretations of 'Intifada'

The police's decision has drawn varied reactions. Jewish organizations, including the Community Security Trust (CST) and UK's Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, have welcomed the move, describing it as a necessary step to address what they perceive as violent incitement. The CST stated that the announcement 'comes not a moment too soon,' given the 'wave of terrorism against Jews around the world.'

Conversely, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has condemned the police's new stance. Ben Jamal, director of the PSC, described it as 'political repression of protest for Palestinian rights' and argued that the Arabic word 'intifada,' meaning 'uprising' or 'shaking off,' is not inherently a call for violence. Historically, the term refers to Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation, which have included both civil disobedience and armed resistance.