"Globalize the intifada" is ananti-Zionist slogan that has been used to advocate for international support ofPalestinian resistance againstIsraeli occupation as well as various other causes users of the phrase see as tied to the Palestinian cause. The Arabic wordintifada (Arabic:اِنْتِفَاضَةintifāḍa), derived from theroot ن ف ض (n f ḍ), means 'a shaking off' and can refer to a popular uprising orrebellion.
In the context ofPalestine, it refers to Palestinian uprisings or resistance againstIsrael; the call to "globalize" it suggests extending the spirit and actions of these uprisings beyond the regional context to a worldwide movement.[1][2][3]
The slogan and related chants have been a subject of controversy and discussion regarding their impact and implications. The slogan has been criticized by some Jewish groups as incitingpolitical violence, terrorism, andantisemitism.[4][5][6]
Intifāḍa (انتفاضة) is anArabicmaṣdar (مصدر), orverbal noun, ofinstance [ar] (اسم مرةism marra [ar]) of the verbintafaḍa (انتفض), derived from thetriconsonantal Semitic rootn-f-ḍ (ن-ف-ض) related to shaking (off), dusting (off), and making something shiver.[7]: 1157 The verbانتفضintafaḍa is in theverb formاِفْتَعَلَiftaʿala, referred to in Western sources as 'form VIII,' denotingreflexivity."[7]: 1157
The slogan "globalize the intifada" has been used as a chant in various anti-Zionist protests, along with variations like "there is only one solution, intifada revolution" and "intifada until victory".[12][2][13][6] It has been used as a denunciation of Israel's actions during theGaza war.[6][14] According to users of the slogan, it was chosen as a rallying cry for resistance against what they see as "colonial violence and oppression".[15]
In April 2002, antiwar protesters in the United States held signs with slogans reflecting their concerns aboutracial justice and US involvement in the Middle East, including theSecond Intifada and theIraqi conflict.[16]
Soon after theOctober 7 attacks in 2023,pro-Palestinian protesters chanted "globalize the intifada" near aCooper Union library where someJewish students were gathering, sparking accusations ofantisemitism from New York City and national leaders. New York City mayorEric Adams responded to the incident, affirming that hate—in this case, anti-Jewish hate—has no place in New York City, emphasizing the right to peaceful protest but not thenormalization of antisemitism.[17] TheNYPD later released a statement that students were not barricaded within the library and that the protest had been pre-planned.[18] Pro-Palestinian protesters, who said they had planned a march throughout the college ahead of time, argued that the library contained students of diverse backgrounds at the time of the march and that the march itself had included some Jewish students.[18]
In November 2023, the pro-Palestinian groupWithin Our Lifetime, which supported the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel,[19] posted toInstagram a map ofMidtown Manhattan with the headline "Globalize the Intifada". The map contained annotations for locations of Israeli and American companies, along with other points of interest, calling them "location[s] of an office of an enemy of both the Palestinian people and colonized people all over the world", implying they are legitimate targets. The post was condemned by elected officials in New York City and by Jewish groups as "a dangerous and abhorrent incitement to violence and poses a direct threat toNew York’s Jewish communities."[20]
In December 2023, the use of banners utilizing the slogan led to the arrest of nine individuals inLondon under thePublic Order Act 1986.[21] In May 2024, a similar slogan—"Intifada, Revolution!"—was used by pro-Palestinian protesters in central London, prompting an investigation by theMet Police.[22]
In June 2025, during the2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary,Zohran Mamdani was asked about the phrase "globalize the intifada" in an interview forThe Bulwark. He described it as a symbolic call forPalestinian human rights, not for violence or antisemitism, adding, "These words have different meanings for many different people ... I've been clear that any incitement to violence is something that I'm in opposition to."[23] He said the word "intifada" had been used by theUnited States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in Arabic translations referring toJewish resistance in German-occupied Europe.[23][24][25] When asked about the phrase again onThe Brian Lehrer Show later that month, he added, "That is not language that I use. The language that I use is that of clarity, and I do not believe it is the mayor’s position to be policing language."[26]
Mamdani's statements in the interview withThe Bulwark were condemned by the USHMM itself and by Jewish public figures, including US representativesTed Deutch andDan Goldman,Jonathan Greenblatt of theAnti-Defamation League, formerWorld Jewish Congress vice presidentMarc Schneier, RabbiAmmiel Hirsch, andThe Atlantic columnistJonathan Chait.[27][25][24][28] In a statement that did not name Mamdani, the USHMM said, "Exploiting the museum and theWarsaw Ghetto Uprising to sanitize 'Globalize the Intifada' is outrageous and especially offensive to survivors. Since 1987, Jews have been attacked and murdered under its banner. All leaders must condemn its use and the abuse of history."[24]Brad Lander, JewishNew York City Comptroller and fellow mayoral candidate, defended Mamdani, saying, "I don't like the phrase ... but I do believe he will protectJewish New Yorkers and our rights."[29][27][30]
Both theAnti-Defamation League andAmerican Jewish Committee interpret the slogan as endorsing acts of terrorism and indiscriminate violence against Israelis and Jews worldwide.[5][31] According toThe Sunday Telegraph, the phrase has been associated with incitement of violence against Jewish communities.[12] Some Jewish writers includingDavid Hazony have interpreted the use of the slogan not just as a challenge to Israel but as being a broader declaration of war against Jews, promotingantisemitism, and calling for violence instead of peace.[32][33][34][35] Following the 2023death of Jewish-American Paul Kessler after a fatal altercation during dual pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protests, Prime Minister of IsraelYair Lapid criticized the slogan and argued the protests were inherently hateful of Jewish peoples.[36]
During aDecember 2023 United States congressional hearing with presidents of major universities, representativeElise Stefanik argued the use of the term was a call for genocide of Jewish people.[37]
The call to "globalize" the Intifada through protests and social media posts is seen by critics as an endorsement of past uprisings and a call for their expansion on a global scale.[2] During theGaza war, some opinion writers argued protesters using the slogan were supporters of the2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[38]
Others argue that calls for intifada are not inherently violent, arguing that the term "Intifada" does not translate intogenocide, being more correctly translated into "uprising".[39][40][41][42] Daniel Lefkowitz of the University of Virginia hypothesizes that, though Israelis and many Jews consider the term to be violent, Palestinians associate "Intifada" with the First Intifada, which was largely non-violent; however, Palestinians also attacked Israelis.[43] Some argue the target of "intifada" is theIsraeli occupation with the goal ofPalestinian independence.[41]