A wave of arrests unfolded at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Westminster, sparked by chants that authorities deemed provocative. Police moved swiftly, detaining two individuals on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offenses after slogans referencing an “intifada” were shouted. A third person was arrested for obstructing the initial detentions, escalating tensions as dozens had gathered in solidarity.
The protest, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, centered on support for hunger strikers currently imprisoned. It took place just hours after Metropolitan Police announced a firm stance against chanting “globalise the intifada,” stating anyone doing so would face immediate detention. This declaration followed a recent and tragic terror attack, shifting the context of the phrase in the eyes of law enforcement.
“Intifada,” an Arabic term meaning uprising or rebellion, carries a heavy historical weight. The Second Intifada, a major Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation beginning in 2000, was marked by devastating violence, claiming the lives of thousands on both sides, as well as numerous foreign nationals. The memory of this period fueled the police response.
Police chiefs had warned of decisive action to “deter intimidation,” and officers acted on that promise, entering the crowd and making arrests as the chanting began. Scuffles broke out as protesters resisted, leading to tense scenes and individuals being escorted to police vans. The atmosphere was charged with emotion and defiance.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, present at the protest, stated he did not personally hear any calls for “intifada.” He reported that demonstrators were instead chanting slogans like “Resisting genocide is not a crime, justice delayed is justice denied.” However, he strongly condemned the Metropolitan Police’s decision to criminalize the phrase, calling it a dangerous attack on free speech.
Tatchell argued that equating the slogan with incitement to violence against Jewish people was a false and damaging assumption. He emphasized that the phrase, even if considered offensive by some, remains protected under the law as lawful free speech. His words highlighted the complex legal and ethical considerations at play.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign director, Ben Jamal, denounced the police action as a further escalation of political repression against those advocating for Palestinian rights. He criticized the lack of consultation with protest organizers before the sweeping statement regarding acceptable speech, and argued against using the tragedy in Sydney as justification for suppressing democratic freedoms.
The situation was further complicated by a separate demonstration outside HMP Bronzefield, where pro-Palestinian activist Qesser Zuhrah was reportedly gravely ill while on a hunger strike. After Zuhrah was transported by ambulance, a scuffle erupted between protesters and police, resulting in injuries to two emergency workers.
A collective hunger strike, involving eight individuals – Qesser Zuhrah, Amu Gib, Heba Muraisi, Jon Cink, Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, Lewie Chiaramello, and Muhammed Umer Khalid – has been ongoing for over a month, protesting their prolonged pre-trial detention. Lawyers have warned that the activists’ lives are at increasing risk without intervention.
Adding a powerful voice to the cause, former Guantanamo Bay detainee Mansoor Adayfi announced his solidarity by joining the hunger strike. He described it as a last resort, accusing the British government and media of seeking to silence the protesters. Adayfi drew a stark parallel between the treatment of the activists and his own experiences in Guantanamo.
The Ministry of Justice affirmed its commitment to prisoner wellbeing, stating that appropriate medical action, including hospitalization, would be taken when deemed necessary by medical professionals. They maintained that all cases of food refusal are being managed in accordance with established policy and prisoner rights.
