UK police to crack down on ‘intifada’ chants after Bondi terror attack

The Jewish Board of Deputies has called on Australian authorities to ban the ‘Globalise the Intifada’ chant, after UK Police said they would start arresting protesters chanting the phrase as a result of the Bondi attack.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has recalled State Parliament to toughen gun laws but also consider powers to block protests, citing Sydney’s “combustible situation” following Sunday night’s murder of 15 people at a Hanukkah festival on Bondi Beach, as well as one of the two gunmen.

The attack follows a surge in antisemitism and violence towards Jews since October 7 in Western societies, including Australia and the UK, which have both experienced fatal terror attacks this year.

In a statement that began by acknowledging the horrific terrorist attack in Australia, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Sir Mark Rowley, and Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson, said current laws were inadequate to protect Jews.

They said the targeting of Jews in Sydney would only add to those in Britain who feel worried and scared for their safety in the wake of the Bondi attack and the slaying of Jews at a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur earlier this year.

Like Australia, the UK has recorded a surge in antisemitic incidents and attacks since the October 7 attacks and regular pro-Palestinian marches.

“Jewish children attend schools behind fences, guarded by security and routine police patrols. No community should have to live like this. That must change,” Sir Stephen and Sir Mark said.

They said the current laws around speech were inadequate when it came to specific phrases used that were aimed at Jewish people. They cited the chant “Globalise the Intifada” as a specific example.

“The words and chants used, especially in protests, matter and have real-world consequences,” the officers said.

“We have consistently been advised by the CPS that many of the phrases causing fear in Jewish communities don’t meet prosecution thresholds. Now, in the escalating threat context, we will recalibrate to be more assertive.

“We know communities are concerned about placards and chants such as “globalise the intifada”, and those using it at future protests or in a targeted way should expect the Met and GMP to take action.

“Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed - words have meaning and consequence. We will act decisively and make arrests.”

The officers said they wanted the Jewish community to hear clearly that: “We see you, we hear you, and we stand with you. Your safety and well-being matter to all of us.”

David Ossip from the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies told The Nightly that Australian authorities need to follow suit.

“Enough of the sophistry. The phrase ‘globalise the intifada’ simply means kill a Jew wherever you find one,” Mr Ossip said.

“Those chanting this slogan know that. It’s past time for the Australian Government to follow the example of the UK and prohibit the utterance of this phrase on our streets.”

The Embassy of Israel in the UK said it should not have not taken more deaths for police to act.

“It is disappointing it has taken such a long time for British authorities to recognise this and it should not have been on the Jewish community to plead with the authorities to take these threats seriously, only being done so after more Jews have been killed,” the Embassy said.

“However, we now hope that real action is now taken to stop this chant before it can lead to further radicalisation and violence against Jews.”

The Jewish Leadership Council in the UK said it was a step in the right direction.

“‘Globalise the intifada’ isn’t a slogan, it is a rallying call for murderous terror against Jews,” the Council said in a statement.

“The intifada was further globalised this week when 15 people, including a ten-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor and rabbis were murdered attending a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.

“Those chanting for infitada cannot claim ignorance. They are complicit in the violence of those who act on their calls.”

Opening Prime Minister’s Questions, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the House of Commons that the “antisemitic terror attack on Bondi beach “was sickening and had had a profound impact around the world, including on Jewish communities in the UK.

“These incidents are not isolated,” he said.

“And we think of the appalling attack on Heaton Park earlier this year.

“And these incidents are chillingly focused on some of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar.”

He said he held a Hanukkah reception at Downing Street on Tuesday night to reinforce his Government’s support for opposing the “poison of antisemitism.”

“It is really important that we have actions that match the words that we have expressed in response to these horrific attacks.”

The UK is currently reviewing protest and hate crime laws and some £28 million ($56m) is being spent on security for Jewish sites such Jewish schools and places of worship.