Key Highlights
- The Metropolitan and Greater Manchester police forces announced they will make arrests of protesters chanting “globalise the intifada.”
- This decision follows a terror attack at a Jewish festival in Sydney, Australia.
- Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police during the incident, while his son Naveed Akram remains under armed guard in hospital.
- POLICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PROTEST CONTEXT EXPLAINED
The Context of the Announcement
Following a devastating terror attack that occurred at a Jewish festival in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday evening, two police forces in the United Kingdom have issued a stark warning to those planning to participate in protests. The Greater Manchester and Metropolitan Police Forces have stated their intention to take decisive action by making arrests of protesters chanting “globalise the intifada.”
Background of the Sydney Attack
The attack, which left one person dead and another injured, was carried out by Naveed Akram, 24, who is now charged with multiple counts of murder and committing a terrorist act. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was also arrested for his role in the incident. The pair allegedly opened fire on over a thousand people celebrating Hanukkah at Archer Park in Bondi Beach, Sydney.
Police Statement and Justification
In a joint statement, Sir Stephen Watson, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, and Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, emphasized that “the words and chants used, especially in protests, matter and have real-world consequences.” They further stated, “The context has changed – words have meaning and consequence. We will act decisively and make arrests.”
Community Security Trust’s Response
The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that provides protection for Jewish people in Britain, welcomed the police announcement. CST spokespersons highlighted the recent rise in antisemitic attacks and called for tougher action against hate-filled chants during protests. The organization stated, “These attacks come amid a deeply concerning rise in antisemitism, which has created fear and uncertainty for Jewish people across the country.”
Implications and Future Actions
The decision to take more assertive measures by the police comes at a time when concerns about hate speech and potential acts of violence are heightened. The announcement is seen as a necessary step to protect communities from what CST believes is an escalating threat.
According to the Metropolitan Police, frontline officers will be briefed on this enhanced approach, and they will also use powers under the Public Order Act, including conditions around London synagogues during services.
The police’s stance has been endorsed by the chief rabbi of the United Kingdom, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, who had previously stated that slogans like “globalise the intifada” are unlawful. The chief rabbi stressed the need to make it clear that such chants pose a real threat to community safety.
The incident in Sydney has served as a stark reminder of the potential for hate speech to incite violence and has prompted stronger measures from law enforcement to address this issue.
