Joint Statement from the Metropolitan Police and the Greater Manchester Police

[Twiglets1]

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

I don't think anyone on here would object to peaceful protests and people calling for change.

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.

Don’t you see that Jews being attacked all over the world (because that’s what calls to “globalise the intifada” ultimately lead to, time and time again) is in no way a legitimate “resistance to a state”?
Also, do you see people regularly and consistently call for “resistance”, “uprising” or whatever else you want to call it against any other state?
And what exactly do you think “Zionist” means?

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.

Taking "resistance to a state" ie war - globally, is surely incitement to violence.
It's not against the Israeli state, it's against Jewish people. They should not be targeted in this way.

I think that's a very good idea. I saw film of someone interviewing some of the protesters, some of whom did not know what "river" or what "sea" they were chanting about. Some posters on these threads are ignorant about the Abraham Accords, don't know about the control of the Rafah crossing, nor that Gaza was under Egyptian military occupation until 1967.
I think it's been simplified so much as to be rendered dangerously wrong.
Ignorance is not bliss.

Absolutely ... I hope Kier Starmer is watching the Australian response and learning what he could be doing better. Starting with a public acknowledgment like the one made by the Australian PM conceding that "more could have been done" since 7/10 to "combat this evil scourge, much more".

Yes it shouldn't have needed the Bondi attack to drive the Australian government into action but neither should it need more antisemitic attacks in the UK to force Starmer to take a stronger position.

Yes, it should never have come to this.

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.

I think this is a very interesting and valid point. After all, it’s people, individuals who are being attacked.
They might not even have a particular community around them where they live, they might be the only ones from a particular minority, fending for themselves so to speak.

Personally I feel like peaceful protests should continue but the police should be cracking down more on the racist types that are always drawn to protests with a hidden agenda. Or not so hidden in the case of Gaza where thousands of participants have somehow become deaf to what certain phrases mean

Seems a good idea doesn't it, @Twiglets1?
TBH I wonder where they sourced the two arrested so far and whether these are "for show", but as said earlier the real test will be it continues beyond a few headlines

And I'd still like to know how they're supposed to stop and arrest such people mid-chant without risking a riot ...

Im so glad that the authorities are finally recognising the threat some of these marchers pose - not just to Jewish people but to all of us .
( edited to change community to people because I kind of agree)

More details in the Telegraph @Puzzledandpissedoff re the arrests made yesterday evening.

Five people have been arrested during a pro-Palestinian protest outside the Ministry of Justice.
The Metropolitan Police said two were detained on Wednesday evening for chanting slogans involving the word “intifada”, along with another protester who attempted to obstruct their arrests.
Just after 9pm, the Met said they had made two further arrests for public order offences, one of which was racially aggravated.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12/17/protesters-who-chant-globalise-the-intifada-will-arrested/

I didn’t say “I don’t see antisemitism” and by the same token anyone saying they see it obviously doesn’t rubber stamp anything but their feelings in that situation. The idea that there is no antisemitism is as ludicrous as saying there is no racism, or sexism etc. we all know that really.

I asked for clarification of what intifada meant because it matters. It’s not an English word and so the exact meaning is important (as is the intent).

I really want the Israelis to stop killing and subjugating the Palestinian people in Gaza. I’d like the rest of the world to support that position and act on it. That in no way means I want Jews around the world to be frightened or intimidated and I certainly don’t want them to be hurt.

I think they shouldn’t be intimidating anyone but they have a right to express their point of view however much I disagree with it.

Very many thanks for the additional info, @Twiglets1; I shall watch how this develops with interest, not least around whether the CPS will go ahead with charges

Perhaps it's how that point of view is expressed.

I'd also add to that a wish for Hamas to stop killing the people of Gaza.

I’m all up for people being able to express their views, but where exactly do you draw a line?
Lucy Connolly was imprisoned for 10 months (and initially sentenced to 31) for tweeting “Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f— hotels full of the b— for all I care”, and some people argued that because she added “for all I care” it was an expression of opinion rather than direct incitement to violence, but it’s clear how dangerous her tweet was considering the circumstances at the time.

It was certainly inflammatory. You can't have double standards on this.

I do think about time.

But I also think there will be category of people who go out with intent now to push boundaries/try and get arrested and have their day in court to let the courts decide where the line in the sand is regarding hate speech/free speech.

And I do think in court depending what has been said it could go either way.

EG - Globalize the intifada which people will now be arrested for saying. I can fully understand why people might say well that promotes violence anti-Semitism, etc. But in court a person may argue that it means showing support for resistance to Israeli occupation but that doesn't mean resistance by violent means. And I could see how in law they might be successful arguing that.

I'm no expert at all but I suspect it won't be long before this is being played out in court.

I think the issue is globalise. That is, take it beyond Israel and extend the conflict.

Good. Spreading hatred and inciting violence should not be tolerated.

But surely they can just say they mean take the peaceful protests and raising of awareness beyond Israel? The phrase doesn't mean violent conflict. They will argue they're not inciting violence or even spreading hate. Will be interesting to see what the courts say. I do agree it needs knocking on the head.