Police forces will make arrests over intifada chants

"The Metropolitan and Greater Manchester police forces have said they will arrest people holding placards and chanting the phrase 'globalise the intifada' - an Arabic word for uprising. In a statement following Sunday's mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, they said: "Violent acts have taken place, the context has changed - words have meaning and consequence. We will act decisively and make arrests". The two forces also referenced the Manchester synagogue attack in October."

"The UK's chief rabbi told the BBC this week that chants of 'globalise the intifada' had helped lead to the two attacks. The police forces said: "We know communities are concerned about placards and chants such as 'globalise the intifada' and those using it at future protests or in a targeted way should expect" the two forces "to take action". "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," the statement said."

"Visible patrols and protective security measures around synagogues, schools, and community venues have been stepped up in London and Greater Manchester. Fifteen people were killed and dozens of others were injured in Sunday's Bondi attack, which targeted Australia's Jewish community at an event celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. Two people died in the knife attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on 2 October."

Metropolitan and Greater Manchester police announced that people holding placards and chanting 'globalise the intifada' will be arrested, citing recent violent incidents as context. Authorities referenced the Bondi Beach mass shooting and the Manchester synagogue knife attack as reasons for an enhanced approach and warned that words can have consequences. Frontline officers will be briefed and powers under the Public Order Act will be used, including conditions around London synagogues during services. Visible patrols and protective security measures have been stepped up around synagogues, schools, and community venues in London and Greater Manchester. The term intifada originated during the 1987 Palestinian uprising and later saw the emergence of groups such as Hamas.

Read at www.bbc.com