Police have arrested two people “for racially aggravated public order offences” after they allegedly “shouted slogans involving calls for intifada” at a pro-Palestinian protest in central London.
Five people in total were arrested, including one for obstructing the arrests of people shouting slogans and two more for public order offences, one of which was “racially aggravated”, the Metropolitan Police said.
The arrests came hours after the Met and Greater Manchester Police said they would arrest people holding placards and chanting the phrase “globalise the intifada” – an Arabic word for uprising.
In a statement after 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 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.
The UK’s chief rabbi described the decision as “an important step towards challenging the hateful rhetoric we have seen on our streets, which has inspired acts of violence and terror”.
Visible patrols and protective security measures around synagogues, schools and community venues have been stepped up in London and Greater Manchester.