🔗 Share this article

In today's Britain, public demonstration has ceased to be a basic freedom. Rather, it has become a conditional permission that authorities grant or withhold at their discretion. This constitutes the implication of proposed measures that the current government is putting forward, which would dictate the timing and location demonstrations can occur, with potential prison sentences for those who defy these restrictions.

Erosion of Civil Liberties

Earlier governments had already weakened this fundamental freedom: the former Conservative government had granted law enforcement extensive additional powers, which global rights bodies had censured as "significant and undue restrictions" on civil liberties. Taken together, these progressive assaults on freedom have effectively abolished the historically earned right to freedom of protest.

Using Tragedy to Rationalize Crackdown

The latest restrictive measures are being justified by citing last week's terrible antisemitic assault on a Manchester Islamic center. There should be universal agreement that the security of Jewish communities in Britain must be safeguarded. However, using this horrific incident as a pretext to suppress dissent is not only disconnected to that responsibility but distorts it.

"When you cannot set boundaries at genocide, you likely can't draw the line at democratic principles," observed a prominent American author, a statement that applies equally for the present administration.

Historical Context of Demonstration

Reflect on Britain's long tradition of protest and direct action against racial discrimination and authoritarianism, from the 1936 Battle of Cable Street to postwar Jewish anti-fascist movements and the 1970s mobilizations against the far-right organization. Many of these historical demonstrators were branded as radicals in their time, even while they were fighting for the rights of marginalized groups.

Present Situation

In today's complex situation, here's what's truly happening: Israel – a foreign state – is committing acts that international bodies have described as genocide. Its military actions have led the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister.

International public opinion has shifted dramatically against Israel's military campaign. In Britain, a large percentage of the public think Israel has probably committed international law violations. Most people would support a complete ban on weapons exports to the nation, and approve the detention of Netanyahu.

Silencing Dissent

Having essentially lost the argument, Israel's supporters are now exploiting a despicable anti-Jewish attack to try to suppress a popular campaign against a ethical disaster. The British government seems included in this attempt. Ministers have failed to implement comprehensive sanctions on Israel and have permitted arms exports to proceed.

People who are demonstrating against the destruction of Gaza have been labeled as dangerous radicals. Yet there's a important factor why there hasn't been a more extensive crackdown on these demonstrators until now: very limited protesters have made truly offensive statements about Jewish people, giving law enforcement minimal reason to intervene.

Dangerous Conflation

Equating Jewish heritage with the policies 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 appropriately questioned for potentially restricting valid commentary of Israel. However, there should be no disagreement about one of its key examples: that "making Jewish people generally accountable for decisions of the state of Israel" constitutes antisemitism.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've reached a point where police authorities can suggest that demonstrations criticizing Israel's actions should be called off because they might "accidentally or deliberately" support antisemitism. Similarly, government officials have stated that acknowledgment of Palestine as a nation has made political parties "complicit" in supposed mistreatment experienced by British Jews.

Double Standards

On the very day as the synagogue attack, the Israel's army killed numerous of Palestinian civilians in Gaza – adding to the horrific toll from 24 months of daily atrocities that have claimed many thousands of human lives. British politicians and news organizations have hardly hidden the limited value they attach to Palestinian life. This represents one of the boldest expressions of discrimination in contemporary society.

Breaking Boundaries

Our government has already passed a dangerous threshold by banning a specific activist group, a non-violent, human rights-focused activist collective. Multiple thousands of British protesters have been detained, mostly for holding placards against genocide and supporting the banned organization. Many of those detained are pensioners; among them a former clergyman and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.

Global Comparisons

It's not difficult to see where this path leads. In the United States, government officials helped vilify pro-Palestinian protests: a former House Speaker implied that some were "linked with" foreign governments, while the current president described such demonstrations as antisemitic. In doing so, they helped legitimize the authoritarian crackdown on such protests – and on freedom of expression in general.

Looking Ahead

If a conservative administration comes to power, it would be given sweeping powers to control dissent. What might a Reform government do with this restrictive framework? Our forebears struggled, endured hardship and died to establish our freedoms. We may ultimately regret how casually we permitted them to slip away.