🔗 Share this article

In today's Britain, protest is no longer a basic freedom. Instead, it has become a privilege that authorities grant or deny as they see fit. This represents the underlying meaning of proposed measures that the current government is advancing, which would determine the timing and location demonstrations can take place, with potential prison sentences for those who defy these restrictions.

Gradual Weakening of Civil Liberties

Earlier administrations had already weakened this essential right: the previous Tory administration had given law enforcement sweeping additional powers, which international human rights organizations had condemned as "serious and unjustified restrictions" on civil liberties. Collectively, these incremental assaults on liberty have effectively abolished the historically earned right to freedom of protest.

Exploiting Tragedy to Justify Suppression

The latest limitations are being justified by citing last week's terrible anti-Jewish attack on a British mosque. We can all agree on universal agreement that the security of British Jews must be protected. However, employing this horrific incident as a justification to suppress dissent is not only disconnected to that responsibility but perverts it.

"If you cannot draw the line at mass killing, you probably can't establish limits at democracy," observed a well-known American author, a statement that rings true for the current government.

Historical Context of Protest

Consider Britain's rich history of public demonstration and direct action against racial discrimination and authoritarianism, from the historic 1936 Cable Street confrontation to after World War II Jewish groups opposing fascism and the 1970s mobilizations against the National Front. Many of these early protesters were labeled as radicals in their era, even while they were fighting for the freedoms of minorities.

Current Reality

In the current complicated landscape, here's what's actually occurring: The Israeli government – a foreign state – is perpetrating acts that international bodies have characterized as systematic destruction. Its military actions have led the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against Israel's prime minister and his former defense minister.

Western popular sentiment has changed significantly against Israel's violent actions. In Britain, a substantial majority of citizens believe Israel has probably committed international law violations. Most people would support a complete ban on arms sales to the nation, and back the arrest of the Israeli leader.

Suppressing Opposition

Having essentially failed the public debate, pro-Israel advocates are now seizing on a vile anti-Jewish attack to attempt to silence a mass movement against a ethical disaster. The British government seems included in this effort. Ministers have not enacted extensive restrictions on Israel and have permitted arms exports to continue.

People who are protesting against the erasure of Gaza have been labeled as dangerous radicals. Yet there's a significant reason why there hasn't been a more extensive crackdown on these protesters until now: extremely few protesters have made truly offensive statements about Jewish people, giving police authorities little justification to intervene.

Dangerous Conflation

Merging Jewish identity with the actions of the Israeli state is not only manipulative but also dangerous. The standard interpretation of anti-Jewish prejudice, adopted by the British government and numerous institutions, has been rightly questioned for potentially restricting legitimate criticism of Israel. However, there should be no disagreement about one of its key examples: that "making Jewish people collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel" constitutes prejudice against Jews.

Escalating Restrictions

This is why we've reached a situation where law enforcement can propose that demonstrations opposing Israel's actions should be called off because they might "accidentally or intentionally" support antisemitism. Similarly, political figures have declared that acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood has made political parties "implicated" in supposed mistreatment experienced by Jewish communities.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the same day as the synagogue attack, the Israel's army killed numerous of Palestinians in Gaza – increasing the horrific toll from 24 months of daily atrocities that have taken many thousands of lives. British politicians and news organizations have barely concealed the minimal importance they assign to Palestinian existence. This represents one of the boldest expressions of discrimination in contemporary society.

Breaking Boundaries

Our government has already crossed a concerning threshold by proscribing Palestine Action, a peaceful, human rights-focused direct action organization. Multiple thousands of British protesters have been arrested, primarily for carrying signs against mass killing and endorsing the proscribed group. Many of those arrested are elderly citizens; including a former clergyman and the child of a Holocaust survivor.

Global Comparisons

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 implied that some were "linked with" foreign governments, while the sitting leader described such protests as antisemitic. In taking these actions, they helped legitimize the repressive measures on such demonstrations – and on freedom of expression in general.

Future Concerns

If a hard-right government comes to power, it would be given sweeping powers to control dissent. What might a Reform government do with this restrictive framework? Our ancestors fought, suffered and died to secure our freedoms. We may eventually regret how easily we permitted them to slip away.