Peter Tatchell Arrested at Pro-Palestine March Over “Globalise the Intifada” Placard
Renowned human rights activist Peter Tatchell was arrested Saturday for displaying a sign advocating for a “globalised intifada” at a pro-Palestine demonstration in London, sparking a debate over free speech and the definition of the term itself.
Peter Tatchell, 74, was taken into custody at a Palestine solidarity march after holding a placard that read: “Globalise the intifada: Non-violent resistance. End Israel’s occupation of Gaza & West Bank.” He has characterized the arrest as an “attack on free speech,” alleging that police deemed the word “intifada” unlawful. He was subsequently taken to Sutton police station in south London.
The Peter Tatchell Foundation released a statement asserting that the arrest is “part of a dangerous trend to increasingly restrict and criminalise peaceful protests.” Tatchell clarified that the Arabic word intifada translates to “uprising, rebellion or resistance” against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and does not inherently denote violence or antisemitism. He emphasized that his message was directed at the Israeli regime and its actions, not at Jewish people.
“By ‘non-violent resistance’ I was advocating boycott, sanction and divestment – the same tactics that helped bring down the apartheid regime in South Africa,” Tatchell explained. “’Globalise the intifada’ means create a worldwide campaign like the anti-apartheid movement.” He strongly refuted the notion that supporting Palestinian resistance is equivalent to hatred or attacks on Jewish communities.
The Metropolitan Police had announced in December that individuals chanting “globalise the intifada” would face arrest, citing a shift in “context” following the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney. On Saturday, the force confirmed that officers arrested a 74-year-old man at the Palestine Coalition protest on suspicion of a public order offence after observing him carrying the aforementioned sign.
In total, 13 arrests were made at the Palestine Coalition protest, alongside one arrest at a concurrent “Stop the Hate” counter-demonstration. Tatchell revealed that three individuals were previously charged with a similar offense – expressing support for an intifada – at a London rally last month.
This incident is not Tatchell’s first encounter with law enforcement over his activism. Last May, he was arrested for holding a placard that read: “Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions! Odai Al-Rubai, aged 22, executed by Hamas! RIP!” initially facing a charge of a racially and religiously aggravated offence. The police have since acknowledged the arrest was wrongful, and Tatchell is currently pursuing a settlement.
“My placard did not mention anyone’s race or religion,” Tatchell stated. “The police have since admitted that I was wrongly arrested and I am awaiting a settlement.”
Tatchell underscored his long-standing commitment to combating antisemitism, noting his participation in the March Against Antisemitism alongside the chief rabbi and thousands of Jewish people on November 26, 2023, shortly after the October 7th attacks. The ongoing case raises critical questions about the boundaries of free speech and the interpretation of political slogans in a highly charged environment.
