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‘Globalise the intifada’ chant is ‘call to attack Jews’, says Starmer

The prime minister made the comment as his government is looking to give police more powers to crack down on offensive protests

October 16, 2025 10:56
Globalise intifada
A pro-Palestinian protester holds a "globalise the intifada" sign near during an anti-Israel protest near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hotel at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on September 25, 2025 in New York City (Image: Getty Images)
1 min read

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that, in his view, "there's no other interpretation" to the phrase "internationalise the Intifada" than the call to attack Jews.

Asked by Conservative MP Julian Lewis during a statement on Tuesday whether he believed the phrase was "a call to attack Jewish communities around the world".

Starmer replied that "there's no other interpretation" and also commented that he was pleased Lewis had asked the question.

The term "Intifada" means "uprising" or "shaking off" and was popularised in reference to two rounds of significant violent disorder among Palestinians, one from 1987-93 and the other from 2000-2005.

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