Protesters face arrest for chanting the slogan "globalise the intifada" in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, as confirmed by the police in London and Manchester. Greater Manchester Police and Metropolitan Police authorities issued a joint statement following the tragic incident where two gunmen targeted Jewish individuals celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney, resulting in the death of 15 people. This incident occurred approximately two months after a terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, amongst other prominent figures, has called for action against hate speech observed during pro-Palestinian marches in the UK post the Bondi Beach attack. He emphasized the unlawfulness of slogans like "globalise the intifada," citing the Sydney and Manchester attacks as evidence of the potential consequences of such inflammatory words. The term "intifada" translates to uprising in Arabic, referring to two significant Palestinian uprisings against Israel, one in the late 1980s and another in the early 2000s, resulting in numerous casualties.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson expressed concerns about the rise in antisemitic hate crimes following the October 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. They highlighted the need for stricter measures, noting that current laws may not adequately address the phrases causing fear within Jewish communities. As a response to the escalating threat context, they announced a more assertive approach, including increased police presence and the use of powers under the Public Order Act to maintain security around London synagogues during services.
In a tragic turn of events, Sajid Akram, aged 50, was shot dead by police after opening fire on a crowd of 1,000 people in the Archer Park area of Bondi Beach. His son, Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and committing a terrorist act. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged that the Bondi Beach attack was not an isolated incident but part of a series of targeted incidents during Jewish holy days.
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones urged individuals to refrain from using provocative chants like "globalise the intifada" and "from the river to the sea," the latter of which has sparked controversy among pro-Israel supporters for its perceived call for the eradication of the Israeli state. Davies-Jones emphasized on Sky News that any chants inciting violence or advocating for harm towards Jewish individuals are entirely unacceptable.
Source: Bondi Beach Shooting