In an interview broadcast by BBC on Saturday, Starmer advocated tighter restrictions on language at pro-Palestine marches, adding that in some cases, rallies could be prohibited altogether.

“I’m a big defender of freedom of expression and peaceful protest,” he told the BBC. “But when there are chants like ‘globalize the Intifada’, that’s completely off-limits. Clearly, there should be tougher action in relation to that,” he added. He noted that discussions had been taking place with police for some time about what further action could be taken. Asked whether he would seek to bar some rallies entirely, Starmer said he believed that would be appropriate in certain cases.

Starmer’s comments come after he  described the chant this week as a case of “extreme racism” and said those who use it “should be prosecuted.” Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, also told the BBC that people who use the phrase are “likely to be arrested.” Supporters of the slogan say it reflects a call to expand the pro-Palestine movement into a global campaign.

Starmer has come under pressure following a spate of anti-Semitic incidents, including an attack earlier this week in Golders Green, a north London area with a large Jewish community, where two men were stabbed. A 45-year-old British national, born in Somalia, was remanded in custody during his first court appearance on Friday, accused of attempted murder.

Starmer visited the scene of the attack and a Jewish volunteer ambulance service on Thursday, where he was booed by some locals who accused him of not doing enough to protect them. Some also criticised pro-Palestinian marches taking place in British cities.

On Thursday, the UK raised its national security alert level to “severe”—the second highest—in part due to the attack in Golders Green. British authorities have also faced criticism for cracking down on pro-Palestine activism during Israel’s war on Gaza.

Last month, police arrested more than 500 people during a mass vigil in central London opposing the ban on campaign group Palestine Action. “I think Britain has now descended into a non-democratic situation, and I think that is very dangerous for free speech,” one demonstrator at the vigil said.  (Aljazeera)