In a significant development following the Bondi Beach shooting, police have made their initial arrests in response to two individuals allegedly chanting slogans that included ‘calls for intifada’. This comes amid intensified efforts to crack down on such activities.
During a pro-Palestinian rally in central London yesterday, law enforcement detained five individuals. Of those, one person was apprehended for obstructing arrests, while two others faced charges related to public order violations, with one being described as ‘racially aggravated’, according to the Metropolitan Police.
This action follows recent announcements by both the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police, stating their intent to arrest individuals chanting ‘globalise the intifada’ due to a noted increase in antisemitic incidents.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson indicated that the ‘context had changed’ following a terror attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney on Sunday and a previous attack on Heaton Park Synagogue earlier this year.
The tragic incident at Bondi Beach resulted in the deaths of fifteen individuals, with several more injured. Among those who lost their lives was a ten-year-old named Matilda, marking a poignant reminder of the broader impact of such violence.
Fifteen people were killed in the attack on Bondi Beach, with several others being injured in the incident. The youngest to lose their life in the shooting was a ten-year-old, Matilda.
The officers said those who make placards or chant at protests in a ‘targeted way’ to increase fear among members of the Jewish community stand to be arrested.
The pair said in a statement that they knew communities were ‘concerned’ by such placards and chants, and those doing so at future protests should expect police action.
Police have made their first arrests after two people allegedly shouted chants involving ‘calls for intifada’ (Pictured: Yesterday’s Pro-Palestine protests in central London)
The Met Police imposed conditions on the demonstration organised by Palestine Campaign, Stop the War and other groups. Five people were arrested yesterday in total
‘Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed – words have meaning and consequence. We will act decisively and make arrests.’
The decision was described as ‘an important step towards challenging the hateful rhetoric’ on Britain’s streets by UK’s chief rabbi, according to the BBC.
Meanwhile, visible patrols and protective security measures around synagogues, schools, and community venues have been stepped up by both police forces.
It comes amid false claims from pro-Palestinian protesters that there was a bid to ban their protest in the capital city yesterday.
The Met Police imposed conditions on the demonstration organised by Palestine Campaign, Stop the War and other groups.
The march was initially set to take place outside Whitehall but was relocated after a request to ensure there was ‘no serious disruption’ to a menorah lighting event in Trafalgar Square.
No Pro-Palestinian protesters were permitted to assemble in the surrounding area of Parliament Square and Whitehall between 4pm and 11pm last night.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal dubbed the move to arrest those making ‘intifada’ chants as a ‘another low’ in protests for Palestinian rights.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson announced their forces would be arrested those making ‘intifada’ chants
A banner carrying the slogan ‘globalise the intifada’ in Regent’s Park, central London on December 5, 2023
He told the BBC that the organisation or other related Palestinian UK community were not briefed on the matter before the ‘far-reaching’ statement ‘on [their] rights’ was issued.
‘The horrific massacre in Sydney, Australia, should not be used as a justification to further repress fundamental democratic rights of protest and free speech in this country,’ Mr Jamal said.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews backed the decision, describing it as ‘necessary intervention’ on those ‘inciting violence’.
‘We have long warned that people chanting slogans like ‘globalise the intifada’ are inciting violence, and we have been making the case for robust enforcement in relation to this slogan with government at all levels for some time,’ the board said.
Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism group, said ‘police chiefs may finally be waking up’ to the threats against the Jewish community following the October 7 massacre in 2023.
He said: ‘After two years of repeatedly excusing genocidal rhetoric and failing to grasp how their inaction was fuelling extremism in this country and ignoring the Islamist threat to our civilisation, they have finally realised that words and chants have consequences.
‘The line between the hate marches and the antisemitic murders has become impossible to ignore, even by police chiefs who have had their heads in the sand. The prospect of arrests for this one chant at marches is a start, but we would have expected it over two years ago.
‘It remains to be seen if it can even be enforced at this point, after police have allowed extremism to run amok for so long undeterred.
Matilda (pictured) was the youngest Bondi Beach shooting victim. She died in hospital after being shot on Sunday. She was ten-years-old
‘If police chiefs think that this is a bone to throw to a Jewish community in mourning, they are mistaken.
‘Their legacy is record levels of antisemitism. There is a great deal of catching up to do if we are going to restore law and order in this country. We pray that more Jews don’t need to die on their watch before they do.’
The Community Security Trust (CST), which provides protection for Jews in Britain, welcomed the ‘more robust response to violent language on protests’.
A spokesman said: ‘For many years, CST has called for tougher action against hateful and violent chants and placards at protests and this announcement comes not a moment too soon.
‘In particular, given the wave of terrorism against Jews around the world, it is intolerable that a call for a global ‘intifada’ should be allowed on our streets.’
The charity said it will continue working closely with the police ‘to ensure that Jewish life in this country remains protected’.
The Jewish Voice for Liberation – self-described as an organisation standing for the rights of both Palestinians and Jews – said it believed the action was not appropriate adding it had ‘very rarely’ come across antisemitism at demonstrations.
