Resolution Condemns 'Globalize the Intifada' Slogan, Urges Leaders to Denounce Political Speech

This resolution is not a law, tax, or spending bill—it’s a formal statement of position. Essentially, the legislative body is going on the record to declare that the slogan “Globalize the Intifada” is a call for violence against Israeli and Jewish people worldwide.

It does this by first laying out the historical context: the Arabic word intifada means “uprising,” but it’s tied to two periods of intense violence (1987–1990 and 2000–2005) that resulted in thousands of Israeli deaths from attacks like suicide bombings. The resolution then connects this history to the present, noting that since October 7, 2023, the slogan has appeared at protests globally. It cites organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) who interpret the slogan as a call for violence against Jewish people and institutions, especially given the documented 344-percent surge in antisemitic incidents over the last five years.

The Line Between Protest and Condemnation

For most people, the immediate impact of this resolution is political, not legal. However, it sets a clear standard for how public officials should view this specific political speech. The resolution strongly urges national, state, and local leaders to condemn the slogan “completely and without any doubt.” It also states that organizers of demonstrations claiming to seek peace have a responsibility to “call out and denounce” participants using the phrase.

This is where things get complicated for everyday citizens who participate in protests. While the resolution doesn't make the slogan illegal, it officially labels it as a “call to violence.” If you are a student, a worker, or a small business owner who attends a protest—even one focused on humanitarian aid or peace—and you use this phrase, you are now officially associated with rhetoric that your elected officials are being pressured to condemn. This creates significant political pressure and potential scrutiny for groups engaging in advocacy around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, regardless of their actual intent.

Chilling Effect on Speech

Think of it like this: if you’re organizing a neighborhood meeting to talk about local issues, and the city council passes a resolution declaring one of your common talking points to be 'hate speech,' it changes the environment immediately. You haven't broken a law, but you are now operating under a cloud of official disapproval. This is the core concern here: the resolution effectively weaponizes political pressure to chill protected speech. Proponents of free speech argue that political speech, even if offensive or inflammatory to some, is generally protected unless it meets the very high legal bar for incitement to imminent lawless action.

By formally declaring a common protest slogan as a call for violence, the resolution risks blurring the line between protected political expression and incitement. For individuals and groups advocating for Palestinian rights who use this slogan, they now face official government condemnation and increased scrutiny, which could potentially lead to administrative hurdles or policing actions that might not otherwise occur. While the resolution aims to provide reassurance to Jewish communities concerned about rising antisemitism, its method—condemning specific political speech—raises serious questions about how it might impact the rights of people to assemble and express political views without fear of government pressure.