🔗 Share this article

In contemporary Britain, public demonstration is no longer a basic freedom. Rather, it has become a conditional permission that authorities grant or deny at their discretion. This represents the underlying meaning of new regulations that the ruling administration is advancing, which would dictate when and where protests can take place, with potential imprisonment for those who disobey these restrictions.

Erosion of Democratic Rights

Earlier administrations had already undermined this fundamental freedom: the former Conservative government had given law enforcement sweeping new authorities, which international human rights organizations had censured as "significant and unjustified limitations" on democratic freedoms. Collectively, these progressive attacks on freedom have practically eliminated the historically earned right to freedom of protest.

Using Atrocity to Rationalize Suppression

The most recent limitations are being defended by citing last week's heinous anti-Jewish attack on a Manchester mosque. We can all agree on widespread consensus that the safety of Jewish communities in Britain must be safeguarded. However, using this atrocity as a justification to suppress opposition is not only disconnected to that responsibility but perverts it.

"When you cannot set boundaries at genocide, you likely can't establish limits at democratic principles," commented a well-known American author, whose words that rings true for the current government.

Historical Context of Protest

Consider Britain's rich history of protest and activism against racism and fascism, from the 1936 Battle of Cable Street to after World War II Jewish groups opposing fascism and the 1970s mobilizations against the National Front. Many of these early protesters were branded as extremists in their time, even while they were fighting for the rights of minorities.

Current Reality

In today's complicated landscape, here's what's truly happening: The Israeli government – a foreign state – is perpetrating acts that international bodies have described as systematic destruction. Its military actions have prompted the global justice body to issue arrest warrants against Israel's prime minister and his ex-military leader.

International popular sentiment has shifted dramatically against Israel's violent actions. In Britain, a large percentage of citizens believe Israel has probably committed international law violations. Most people would support a total prohibition on arms sales to the nation, and approve the arrest of Netanyahu.

Suppressing Opposition

Having essentially failed the public debate, Israel's supporters are now seizing on a vile antisemitic crime to attempt to silence a popular campaign against a ethical disaster. The British government appears to be included in this effort. Ministers have failed to implement comprehensive sanctions on Israel and have allowed arms exports to proceed.

People who are demonstrating against the destruction of Gaza have been characterized as hateful extremists. Yet there's a important factor why there hasn't been a more extensive crackdown on these demonstrators until now: extremely few protesters have made truly offensive statements about Jewish people, giving law enforcement little justification to take action.

Problematic Association

Equating Jewish identity with the policies of the Israeli state is not only manipulative but also dangerous. The official definition of anti-Jewish prejudice, accepted by the British government and numerous institutions, has been rightly challenged for potentially stifling valid commentary of Israel. However, there should be no disagreement about one of its key examples: that "making Jewish people collectively responsible for decisions of the state of Israel" constitutes prejudice against Jews.

Escalating Restrictions

This is why we've reached a situation where police authorities can propose that demonstrations criticizing Israel's actions should be canceled because they might "accidentally or intentionally" endorse antisemitism. Similarly, government officials have declared that acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood has made political parties "implicated" in supposed mistreatment experienced by British Jews.

Double Standards

On the same day as the synagogue attack, the Israeli military killed numerous of Palestinians in Gaza – adding to the horrific toll from two years of ongoing violence that have taken tens of thousands of human lives. British political leaders and news organizations have hardly hidden the minimal importance they attach to Palestinian life. This represents one of the boldest expressions of discrimination in contemporary society.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already crossed a dangerous threshold by banning Palestine Action, a non-violent, anti-genocide activist collective. Thousands of British protesters have been detained, primarily for carrying signs opposing genocide 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 easy to see where this path leads. In the United States, government officials helped vilify pro-Palestinian protests: a ex-political leader suggested that some were "connected to" foreign governments, while the sitting leader described such demonstrations as antisemitic. In doing so, they contributed to normalizing the repressive measures on such demonstrations – and on free speech in general.

Future Concerns

If a conservative administration comes to power, it would be granted sweeping powers to control dissent. What might a Reform government do with this repressive toolkit? Our forebears fought, endured hardship and sacrificed their lives to secure our liberties. We may ultimately regret how casually we allowed them to be eroded.