Two arrested at pro-Palestine protest in London for shouting ‘calls for intifada’

Two men were arrested after chanting “slogans calling for an intifada” at a pro-Palestinian protest in London.

The Metropolitan Police said the couple were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order breaches at the demonstration on Wednesday evening.

Police added that a third man was arrested for obstructing previous arrests.

The protest took place outside the Ministry of Justice building in Westminster, just hours after the Met and Manchester Police announced that anyone chanting “globalise the intifada” would be arrested because “the context has changed” following the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Force commanders warned officers to “act decisively and make arrests”, adding that the measures were designed to “deter intimidation”.

Britain’s chief rabbi has welcomed the decision by two of the country’s largest police forces as “an important step towards challenging hate speech” seen on Britain’s streets.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis this week called for a crackdown on hate speech, saying slogans such as “globalise the intifada” should be made clear that they are “illegal”.

Sir Ephraim, who traveled to Australia to meet those affected by the Sydney attacks, said: “This announcement is a hugely welcome development and an important step against the hateful rhetoric we see on our streets, which inspires acts of violence and terrorism.”

More to follow…