(New York, N.Y.) - CEP CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace stated:

“We welcome the announcement by the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police that chanting or displaying ‘globalize the intifada’ at protests will result in arrest and enforcement action. This slogan is a call for terrorist activity and violence, not protected speech, and its use has become even more dangerous in the wake of recent attacks, including the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney that killed 16 people at a Hanukkah celebration.

CEP has long made clear that calls to ‘globalize the intifada’ glorify terrorism and place Jewish communities at risk. After the murder of 82-year-old Karen Diamond at a hostage vigil in Boulder, Colorado, we warned that this rhetoric is widely understood as an appeal to violence. Yesterday’s decision reflects that reality and aligns enforcement with the law.

There is no absolute right to speech that incites violence or terrorism. Even in the United States, speech calling for violent action, harassment, or terrorist activity is regulated and can be prosecuted. Claims that this slogan is protected expression are false. It is neither legal nor protected speech in any Western democracy.

Those who openly advocate intifada should face appropriate legal consequences. We commend this action as a necessary step to uphold public safety and make clear that incitement to violence will not be tolerated.”

To read CEP’s July 1 statement on condemning the “Globalize the Intifada” slogan, click here.