Starmer Calls for Prosecution of ‘Globalise the Intifada’ Chant After Golders Green Attack

Context Two Jewish men were stabbed in north‑London’s Golders Green on Wednesday. Police have classified the incident as a terror attack, reigniting debate over antisemitic threats at pro‑Palestinian demonstrations. The chant “globalise the intifada” – a phrase that references the Arabic word for uprising – has been condemned by Jewish groups as a call for violence against Jews.

Key Facts - Starmer told a news conference that marching alongside anyone chanting “globalise the intifada” amounts to calling for terrorism against Jews and must be prosecuted. He described the slogan as “extreme racism” that leaves the Jewish community “scared, intimidated, wondering if they belong.” - Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said individuals using the phrase are “likely to be arrested” and that the force will “exploit the full reaches of the law” to curb racial hatred. - The Golders Green stabbing, which left two victims seriously injured, prompted the police to declare a terror incident and has spurred calls for tighter controls on protest speech. - The government is reviewing public‑order and hate‑crime legislation after a 2023 synagogue attack in Manchester, but the review has not yet reported. - Opposition parties warn that using the attack to restrict peaceful protest would erode civil liberties. The Green Party and Jeremy Corbyn’s Your Party stress the need to protect free speech while condemning antisemitism.

What It Means Starmer’s stance signals a shift toward criminalising specific protest language deemed to incite violence. Police have already arrested and charged individuals for displaying the chant on banners, indicating a willingness to enforce the warning. The move could tighten the legal framework governing demonstrations, especially ahead of major events such as the May Day rally on 4 May and the Nakba Day march on 16 May. Watch how courts interpret the chant’s threat level and whether new restrictions are introduced before the summer protest calendar.