Joint Statement from the Metropolitan Police and the Greater Manchester Police

Do you think that people who “feel the obligation to speak up” outside hotels housing refugees should just be left to it even if their behaviour is intimidating the people inside these hotels? After all, they might feel like they’re just speaking their truth.

The chants don't just have political meanings.

Hamas want to destroy Jews and that is their idea of a one state solution. They want other countries to rise up against Jews, they are literally calling for violence with "Globalise the Intifada".

You not seeing the antisemitism doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Joint Statement from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police.

We begin by acknowledging the horrific terrorist attack in Australia, where Jews were deliberately targeted whilst enjoying the Hanukkah celebrations. Our thoughts are with those who lost their lives, their families and those injured. Coming so soon after the Heaton Park Synagogue attack in Manchester and amid rising antisemitism globally, this is deeply alarming. Jewish communities across London, Greater Manchester, and the rest of the United Kingdom are already worried and scared - and this only adds to it.

Antisemitic hate crime has surged, protests have intensified, and online abuse has grown since 2023. These trends create real fear and disrupt daily life – and have an impact on how safe the Jewish community feel when attending synagogues and other communal spaces. Jewish children attend schools behind fences, guarded by security and routine police patrols. No community should have to live like this. That must change.

The two recent terror attacks targeting Jews, the increased fear in Jewish communities, and high number of terrorist attacks disrupted in recent years requires an enhanced response. Current laws are inadequate, and we welcome the fact that the Home Secretary has asked Lord Ken Macdonald KC to review the current public order and hate crime legislation.

The words and chants used, especially in protests, matter and have real world consequences. 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 protest 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.

Frontline officers will be briefed on this enhanced approach. We will also use powers under the Public Order Act, including conditions around London synagogues during services.

Visible patrols and protective security measures around synagogues, schools, and community venues have been stepped up in London and Greater Manchester. We are intensifying investigations into hate crime, and Counter Terrorism Policing continues to operate 24/7 to identify and disrupt threats.

These measures are practical and immediate - designed to keep communities safe, deter intimidation, and enforce the law. Our intent is clear: create a hostile environment for offenders and a safer environment for Jewish communities, while protecting lawful protest. All members of society have a responsibility to consider their impact on others – it is possible to protest in support of Palestinian people without intimidating Jewish communities or breaking the law.

We want you to hear this clearly: we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you. Your safety and wellbeing matter to all of us. Please keep talking to us and to each other; report incidents promptly; and make use of our dedicated neighbourhood teams.

Hanukkah reminds us that light endures, even in the darkest times. We will continue to work night and day to keep you safe.

news.met.police.uk/news/joint-statement-from-the-commissioner-of-the-metropolitan-police-and-the-chief-constable-of-greater-manchester-police-504494

Good.

Perhaps nitpicky and off topic, but I find the overuse of 'community' in any context a bit othering. It is more humanising and hits harder if you replace 'community' with 'people'.

"Jewish communities people across London, Greater Manchester, and the rest of the United Kingdom are already worried and scared - and this only adds to it."

"it is possible to protest in support of Palestinian people without intimidating Jewish communities people or breaking the law."

No I DO think we have an obligation to speak up even if what we say isn’t well received. I’m not sure how it helps development and growth to hide your opinions and beliefs. In an ideal world which is what we should be working towards we should be free to express our opinions and those opinions should not intimidate anyone.
To be clear I myself am intimidated by large crowds and shouting people. I’d rather they didn’t. Peaceful protest and calling for change does not have to be like that. I feel uncomfortable with the tightening of what we can and can’t protest. I think many people do.

Yes I agree that better education on the subject would definitely help.

Like in Australia I see they are planning to employ a taskforce to oversee the education system’s response to antisemitism. And also to introduce reforms to tackle racism on university campuses.

There is so much misinformation out there not helped by social media spreading it, which then gets parroting by those who only see one part of the picture. Hence the term "useful idiots" is often used. Which is a derogatory term that people get offended by, but it's hard not to do a silent eyeroll when certain comments are made denying antisemitic intent when it's plain to see.

Resistance to a state committing abhorrent and grave crimes against humanity isn’t racist. Even if arrested and charged they’re unlikely to be convicted because the chants all have political meanings, they fundamentally criticise the state of Israel and the Zionist ideology, which I’m afraid isn’t antisemitic.

No I DO think we have an obligation to speak up even if what we say isn’t well received. I’m not sure how it helps development and growth to hide your opinions and beliefs. In an ideal world which is what we should be working towards we should be free to express our opinions and those opinions should not intimidate anyone.
To be clear I myself am intimidated by large crowds and shouting people. I’d rather they didn’t. Peaceful protest and calling for change does not have to be like that. I feel uncomfortable with the tightening of what we can and can’t protest. I think many people do.

Speaking “our truth” is not an obligation if “our truth” happens to be racist. It becomes something you can get arrested for.

Your post seems to imply that it’s the fault of the people feeling intimidated by large crowds with antisemitic chants & placards if they feel intimidated … hoping that’s not what you meant.

Looking back, I wonder if the insistence on continuing to march after the Yom Kippur attack didn't do the protesters more harm than good. Feels like a bit of a watershed moment. Either way, they did this to themselves.