Yalla, Intifada! –Let’s go!

JVL Introduction

Language matters. It is, says Neve Gordon, “is one of the most potent and effective vehicles for bringing about political change”.

That’s why Israeli propagandists are so active in trying to hijack the meaning of key terms and phrases to advance their own political objectives – and to destroy ours.

It’s nowhere clearer than in the use of the phrase ”globalise the intifada”.

Our commonly understood meaning is to internationalise the resistance, to shake off the impunity accorded to Israel by world leaders and pro-Isarel mainstream media  – to hold them accountable.

Thus the lies and distortions and hasbara campaigns to avoid accountability.

Thus Combat Antisemitism Movement claiming “globalise the intifada is a rallying call for violence against “Jews everywhere”. It isn’t.

Thus Keir Starmer on the offensive, instructing police to continue prosecuting people chanting “globalise the intifada”, calling it an example of “extreme racism”. It isn’t.

Don’t let them steal our language. Their distortion of our campaigns is deliberate, to criminalise lawful resistance to Israeli colonialism and genocide.

So, says  Gordon, “Yalla Intifada”. Let’s get on with it!

See also our FAQ – Is saying “Globalise the Intifada” a threat to Jews?

6 Aug 2026: typos corrected

This article was originally published by Zeteo on Tue 28 Jul 2026. Read the original here.