🔗 Share this article

In contemporary Britain, protest has ceased to be a basic freedom. Instead, it has become a conditional permission that those in power allow or withhold as they see fit. This constitutes the implication of new regulations that the ruling administration is advancing, which would determine the timing and location demonstrations can occur, with potential prison sentences for those who defy these limitations.

Erosion of Civil Liberties

Previous governments had already undermined this fundamental freedom: the former Conservative government had granted law enforcement sweeping additional powers, which international human rights organizations had censured as "serious and unjustified restrictions" on civil liberties. Collectively, these progressive attacks on freedom have practically abolished the historically earned right to public demonstration.

Exploiting Atrocity to Rationalize Suppression

The most recent limitations are being justified by referring to last week's terrible antisemitic assault on a British mosque. We can all agree on widespread consensus that the safety of Jewish communities in Britain must be protected. However, using this atrocity as a justification to suppress opposition is not only unrelated to that responsibility but distorts it.

"When you can't set boundaries at mass killing, you probably can't draw the line at democratic principles," commented a prominent American author, whose words that rings true for the current government.

Historical Perspective of Protest

Consider Britain's long tradition of public demonstration and activism against racial discrimination and authoritarianism, from the 1936 Battle of Cable Street to after World War II Jewish anti-fascist movements and the 1970s mobilizations against the National Front. Many of these historical demonstrators were labeled as radicals in their era, even while they were advocating the freedoms of minorities.

Present Situation

In today's complex situation, here's what's truly occurring: The Israeli government – a sovereign nation – is committing acts that international bodies have characterized as systematic destruction. Its warfare have led the International Criminal Court to release legal indictments against Benjamin Netanyahu and his ex-military leader.

Western public opinion has shifted dramatically against Israel's military campaign. In Britain, a substantial majority of the public think Israel has probably committed war crimes. Most people would support a total prohibition on arms sales to the state, and back the detention of Netanyahu.

Silencing Dissent

Having largely lost the public debate, Israel's supporters are now exploiting a despicable antisemitic crime to try to silence a mass movement against a moral catastrophe. The British government appears to be included in this attempt. Ministers have failed to implement extensive restrictions on Israel and have allowed weapon shipments to continue.

People who are demonstrating against the erasure of Gaza have been characterized as dangerous radicals. Yet there's a significant reason why there hasn't been a broader suppression on these protesters until now: extremely few protesters have made truly offensive statements about Jewish people, giving law enforcement minimal reason to intervene.

Dangerous Conflation

Merging Jewish identity with the actions of the government of Israel is not only manipulative but also dangerous. The standard interpretation of antisemitism, adopted by the British government and many organizations, has been appropriately questioned for potentially stifling legitimate criticism of Israel. However, there should be no disagreement about one of its key examples: that "making Jewish people generally accountable for actions of the state of Israel" constitutes antisemitism.

Escalating Restrictions

This is why we've arrived at a point where law enforcement can propose that demonstrations criticizing Israel's actions should be canceled because they might "inadvertently or intentionally" endorse anti-Jewish sentiment. Similarly, government officials have stated that recognition of Palestinian statehood has made political parties "complicit" in alleged abuse experienced by British Jews.

Double Standards

On the same day as the synagogue attack, the Israel's army killed numerous of Palestinians in Gaza – increasing the horrific toll from two years of ongoing violence that have claimed many thousands of lives. British political leaders and news organizations have hardly hidden the limited value they attach to Palestinian life. This represents one of the boldest demonstrations of racism in our time.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already passed a concerning boundary by proscribing Palestine Action, a peaceful, human rights-focused direct action organization. Multiple thousands of British protesters have been detained, mostly for carrying placards opposing mass killing and supporting the banned organization. Many of those detained are pensioners; among them a retired priest and the daughter of a World War II genocide survivor.

International Parallels

It's not difficult to see where this trajectory leads. In the United States, political leaders helped demonize pro-Palestinian protests: a former House Speaker suggested that some were "connected to" other nations, while the current president characterized such protests as antisemitic. In taking these actions, they helped legitimize the authoritarian crackdown on such demonstrations – and on freedom of expression in general.

Future Concerns

If a conservative administration comes to power, it would be granted sweeping powers to suppress opposition. What might a Reform government do with this restrictive framework? Our forebears fought, endured hardship and sacrificed their lives to establish our liberties. We may ultimately regret how casually we permitted them to be eroded.