🔗 Share this article

In today's Britain, public demonstration is no longer a fundamental right. Rather, it has become a conditional permission that those in power grant or deny as they see fit. This represents the underlying meaning of proposed measures that the current government is putting forward, which would dictate the timing and location protests can occur, with potential prison sentences for those who defy these limitations.

Erosion of Civil Liberties

Previous administrations had already undermined this fundamental freedom: the previous Tory administration had granted law enforcement extensive new authorities, which international human rights organizations had censured as "serious and undue restrictions" on civil liberties. Taken together, these incremental attacks on liberty have practically eliminated the historically earned right to freedom of protest.

Exploiting Atrocity to Justify Suppression

The most recent limitations are being defended by referring to last week's terrible anti-Jewish assault on a British Islamic center. There should be widespread consensus that the security of British Jews must be safeguarded. However, employing this horrific incident as a justification to suppress dissent is not only disconnected to that duty but perverts it.

"When you can't draw the line at genocide, you likely cannot establish limits at democracy," commented a well-known 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 racism and authoritarianism, from the historic 1936 Cable Street confrontation to postwar Jewish anti-fascist movements and the 1970s mobilizations against the National Front. Many of these historical demonstrators were branded as radicals in their time, even while they were fighting for the rights of minorities.

Present Situation

In today's complex situation, here's what's actually happening: Israel – a foreign state – is perpetrating acts that international bodies have described as systematic destruction. Its military actions have prompted the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and his ex-military leader.

International public opinion has changed significantly against Israel's violent actions. In Britain, a substantial majority of the public believe Israel has likely committed war crimes. Most people would support a complete ban on weapons exports to the nation, and approve the detention of the Israeli leader.

Silencing Dissent

Having essentially failed the argument, Israel's supporters are now seizing on a despicable anti-Jewish attack to try to silence a popular campaign against a moral catastrophe. The British government appears to be involved in this effort. Government officials have not enacted comprehensive sanctions 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: very limited protesters have made truly offensive statements about Jewish people, giving police authorities minimal reason to intervene.

Problematic Association

Merging Jewish heritage with the policies of the Israeli state is not only cynical but also dangerous. The official definition of anti-Jewish prejudice, accepted by the British government and numerous institutions, has been rightly challenged for potentially restricting legitimate criticism of Israel. However, there should be no disagreement about one of its central illustrations: that "holding Jewish people generally accountable for decisions of the state of Israel" constitutes antisemitism.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've reached a situation where police authorities can propose that protests criticizing Israel's actions should be canceled because they might "accidentally or intentionally" support anti-Jewish sentiment. Similarly, political figures have declared that recognition of Palestine as a nation has made political parties "implicated" in alleged abuse faced by Jewish communities.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the very day as the synagogue attack, the Israel's army killed dozens of Palestinian civilians in Gaza – increasing the terrible count from two years of ongoing violence that have claimed many thousands of human lives. British political leaders and news organizations have hardly hidden the minimal importance they assign to Palestinian existence. This represents one of the most brazen expressions of racism in contemporary society.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already passed a concerning boundary by proscribing a specific activist group, a non-violent, human rights-focused direct action organization. Thousands of British demonstrators have been detained, primarily for holding placards opposing genocide and endorsing the banned organization. Many of those detained are pensioners; including a former clergyman 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, government officials helped demonize pro-Palestinian protests: a ex-political leader suggested that some were "linked with" foreign governments, while the sitting leader described such protests as anti-Jewish. In doing so, they helped legitimize the authoritarian crackdown on such demonstrations – and on free speech in general.

Looking Ahead

If a hard-right government comes to power, it would be granted sweeping powers to control opposition. What might a new administration do with this repressive toolkit? Our ancestors struggled, suffered and died to establish our freedoms. We may ultimately rue how easily we allowed them to be eroded.