UK authorities make first arrests linked to intifada chant
British police made arrests linked specifically to the chanting of slogan “globalize the intifada” at a pro-Palestine demonstration in London
LONDON (MNTV) — British police have made their first arrests linked specifically to the chanting of the slogan “globalize the intifada” at a pro-Palestine demonstration in London, detaining two protesters on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences, authorities said late Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Police said a total of five people were arrested outside the Justice Ministry in Westminster during a protest held in solidarity with pro-Palestinian hunger strikers in prison.
Additional arrests were made on allegations including obstruction and other public order offences.
In a statement posted on X, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that this marked the first time arrests had been made solely over the use of the slogan.
“Two people who shouted slogans involving calls for intifada were arrested for racially aggravated public order offences,” the force said.
The arrests follow a joint warning earlier this week by the Metropolitan Police commissioner and the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, who said chants such as “globalize the intifada,” when used at protests or directed at individuals or communities, could prompt police action.
That statement pointed to recent violent incidents, including an attack on a synagogue in Manchester in October and a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, arguing that the broader context justified stricter enforcement.
“Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed — words have meaning and consequence. We will act decisively and make arrests,” the police leaders said.
Palestinian advocacy groups have strongly contested that interpretation, warning that the policing of political slogans risks criminalising dissent and curbing free expression.
They argue that the term “intifada” does not inherently amount to a call for violence.
The word, which translates as uprising or resistance, is widely used by Palestinians to describe collective movements against Israeli occupation, particularly the first intifada that began in 1987 and was characterised by mass civil resistance.
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