Globalise the Intifada: why this chant matters
“Globalise the intifada” is heard as solidarity by some and as a threat by many Jews, especially given the second intifada’s association with attacks on civilians. We explain why the chant has become a flashpoint, why UK police are now treating it more seriously, and why Palestinian advocacy can be powerful without slogans that blur the civilian line.
In recent weeks the chant “globalise the intifada” has become a flashpoint at pro Palestine rallies in the UK and beyond. Some people use it as shorthand for resistance and solidarity. Many Jews hear it as a threat. Others hear it as a call to export a historically violent campaign.
That clash of interpretations is not a semantic quibble. It goes to the heart of how antisemitism can appear in political movements without always being intended, and how slogans can function as intimidation when they land in communities already facing heightened risk.
Police in London and Greater Manchester have said they will treat “globalise the intifada” as a chant that can trigger enforcement action in the current threat context. We understand why this has sparked concern about free speech and protest rights. We also believe movements have a responsibility to choose language carefully when alternatives are readily available.
You can advocate fiercely for Palestinian freedom without using slogans that blur the line between military targets and civilians, or that can credibly be heard as endorsing violence against Jews in the diaspora.
Our co-founder Dan Jacobs has written a longer piece exploring the history of the first and second intifadas, how the chant is heard by different audiences, and the ethical case for retiring it in favour of clearer demands.
Read the full article on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/danjacobslondon/p/globalise-the-intifada-solidarity
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