Starmer Calls for Prosecution of ‘Globalise the Intifada’ Chant After London Terror Attack

Context A stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green on Wednesday prompted the Metropolitan Police to label the attack a terror incident. The incident has revived debate over how to police pro‑Palestinian demonstrations that feature the controversial slogan.

Key Facts Starmer told reporters that marching with people who chant “globalise the intifada” is “calling for terrorism against Jews” and should lead to prosecution. He described the chant as “extreme racism” that leaves the Jewish community “scared, intimidated, wondering if they belong.” Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley echoed the warning, saying 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. Rowley noted that arrests have already been made for the slogan since before Christmas. The phrase “globalise the intifada” references the Arabic word for uprising, historically linked to the 1987 Palestinian intifada. Jewish groups interpret it as a call for violence, while some pro‑Palestinian activists claim it calls for peaceful resistance. Political reactions vary. The Green Party and Jeremy Corbyn’s Your Party caution against restricting civil liberties, while Conservatives and Reform UK demand a tougher stance. A government review of public‑order and hate‑crime law, launched after a Manchester synagogue attack, remains pending.

What It Means Starmer’s demand signals a shift toward treating the chant as a criminal act rather than protected speech. Police are prepared to arrest demonstrators who display the slogan, potentially setting a precedent for future protests. Upcoming events—including the May Day rally, the Nakba Day march, and a far‑right “Unite the Kingdom” rally—will test how far authorities will go in restricting the phrase while balancing free‑speech rights.

Watch next: How the Met will apply the law at the May Day and Nakba Day marches, and whether the pending public‑order review will codify new limits on protest speech.