UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the chant "Globalise the intifada" racist after it appeared at recent marches. He said the phrase has left Jewish people feeling scared and intimidated.
The statement reflects ongoing tensions around pro-Palestine demonstrations in Britain. The chant references the intifada, the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. Starmer's characterization of it as racist signals the government's position that such rhetoric crosses a line into antisemitism or hate speech.
The comment comes amid broader debate over free speech protections for protest versus concerns about incitement and community safety. Jewish community leaders have expressed alarm at what they describe as rising antisemitism at some demonstrations. Pro-Palestine activists argue the chant is political speech about resistance, not a threat to any ethnic or religious group.
Starmer's remarks put the Labour government on record opposing the specific slogan while the underlying conflict continues to generate heated demonstrations across the UK.