Pro-Israel commentators across the world have wasted no time in trying to blame anti-Zionist protestors for the terrifying antisemitic terror attack at Australia’s Bondi beach. In particular, many have described the massacre as a manifestation of a globalised Intifada.
Wasting no time in finding another opportunity to smear pro-Palestinian protesters, Starmer announced during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on 17 December that he intended to further repress Palestinian activism in response to the Bondi attack.
Likewise, British police forces have announced that they will now consider use of the phrase ‘globalise the intifada’ an arrestable offence.
Intifada being Arabic for “uprising.”
‘Actions that match the words’
Today’s PMQs were understandably dominated by expressions of shock and solidarity with the victims of the Bondi attack. In particular, Lib Dem leader Ed Davie asked what the UK government would do to fight back against antisemitism within the country.
Starmer replied:
It’s really important that we have actions that match the words we have expressed in response to these horrific attacks.
I’ve ordered a review of protest and hate crime laws to stop protests breeding hatred. We’re looking at new police powers to deal with repeat and targeted protests, and we’ve launched a review and training to tackle antisemitism in the NHS.
‘Actions that match the words’ indeed. The Labour leader moved to conflate antisemitism and anti-Zionist protest so fast it could make your head spin.
Just so that it’s said: clamping down on protest will do nothing to stop antisemitic violence because Palestine protests are not antisemitic violence.
Changing laws around protests will do nothing but create yet another wave of non-violent protesters being charged with hate or terror offences for holding placards. It represents yet another ramp-up of the draconian anti-protest laws in the UK.
And, likewise, the mention of the NHS training is as disgusting as it is telling. Clamping down against NHS staff wearing fucking watermelon pins does nothing to prevent antisemitic violence because NHS workers are not goddamn antisemitic terrorists.
Time and again, Labour and NHS England have insisted that this was a campaign against antisemitism and racism. NHS campaigners have highlighted the hierarchy of racism within the training, with antisemitism being treated as worse than other racism. And today, at PMQs, Starmer just happened to forget about the racism part.
Police crackdown on protest
At almost the exact same time that Starmer was answering PMQs, the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police chiefs put out a joint statement. It announced that, after the Bondi attack, the use of the phrase ‘Globalise the Intifada’ was now considered cause for arrest.
The statement read:
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 feels when attending synagogues and other communal spaces.
The fact that antisemitic hate crime is on the rise is a cause for alarm and resistance. But note how quickly the statement moves to conflate hate crime with the act of protest.
‘Globalise the Intifada’
The protests are against Israel, and its genocide of the Palestinian people. To automatically associate Jewish UK citizens with Israel and Zionism is antisemitic in itself. Worse still, it paints a target on the backs of the Jewish population by conflating them with Israel’s repressive regime.
Not that any of that would stop the racists in the Met police, mind you. The statement goes on to say:
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.
Police are already wasting their time arresting protesters for supporting Palestine Action. This has done nothing to prevent terrorism or stop antisemitism. Rather, it has clogged our courts with peaceful pensioners who held up placards.
The announcement also states that:
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.
How on earth does this move do anything to ‘protect lawful protest‘? It is clearly yet another crackdown on anti-Zionism in the UK. It’s yet another restriction on the right to protest in this country — already gutted by the PCSC Act, the Public Order Act, and the designation of direct action in support of Palestine as terrorism.
Together, the government and the police have used a vicious act of antisemitic hatred in Australia as an excuse to repress anti-Zionism in the UK. This is a shocking betrayal of the memories of the 15 people killed at Bondi. It is an insult to peaceful pro-Palestine demonstrators across the world.
If Starmer, Labour or the police had any shame at all, this outrage would overwhelm them.
Featured image via Barold
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