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In contemporary Britain, public demonstration has ceased to be a fundamental right. Rather, it has become a privilege that those in power allow or deny as they see fit. This constitutes the implication of new regulations that the ruling administration is putting forward, which would determine the timing and location demonstrations can occur, with potential imprisonment for those who defy these restrictions.

Gradual Weakening of Civil Liberties

Earlier governments had already undermined this fundamental freedom: the previous Tory administration had given law enforcement sweeping new authorities, which international human rights organizations had condemned as "significant and unjustified restrictions" on democratic freedoms. Collectively, these progressive assaults on freedom have practically abolished the hard-won right to freedom of protest.

Exploiting Tragedy to Justify Crackdown

The latest limitations are being justified by citing last week's terrible anti-Jewish assault on a British mosque. There should be universal agreement that the security of British Jews must be safeguarded. However, using this atrocity as a justification to stifle dissent is not only unrelated to that duty but distorts it.

"If you can't draw the line at genocide, you likely can't draw the line at democracy," observed a well-known American author, a statement that rings true for the present administration.

Historical Perspective of Protest

Consider Britain's rich history of public demonstration and direct action against racism and fascism, from the historic 1936 Cable Street confrontation to postwar Jewish anti-fascist movements and the 1970s demonstrations against the far-right organization. Many of these early protesters were branded as radicals in their era, even while they were advocating the rights of marginalized groups.

Present Situation

In today's complex situation, here's what's truly occurring: The Israeli government – a foreign state – is perpetrating acts that international bodies have characterized as genocide. Its warfare have led the International Criminal Court to release arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and his ex-military leader.

International public opinion has shifted dramatically against Israel's military campaign. In Britain, a substantial majority of citizens think Israel has likely committed war crimes. Most people would support a total prohibition on arms sales to the state, and approve the detention of the Israeli leader.

Suppressing Opposition

Having largely lost the public debate, pro-Israel advocates are now seizing on a vile antisemitic crime to try to silence a mass movement against a ethical disaster. The British government seems involved in this effort. Government officials have not enacted extensive restrictions on Israel and have permitted arms exports to continue.

People who are protesting 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 suppression on these demonstrators 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 policies of the government of Israel is not only manipulative but also dangerous. The standard interpretation of anti-Jewish prejudice, accepted by the British government and numerous institutions, has been rightly questioned for potentially restricting legitimate criticism of Israel. However, there should be universal agreement about one of its central illustrations: that "holding Jewish people collectively responsible for decisions of the state of Israel" constitutes prejudice against Jews.

Escalating Restrictions

This is why we've arrived at a situation where law enforcement can propose that protests opposing Israel's actions should be called off because they might "accidentally or deliberately" endorse anti-Jewish sentiment. Similarly, political figures have stated that recognition of Palestine as a nation has made political parties "complicit" in supposed mistreatment experienced by Jewish communities.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the very day as the synagogue attack, the Israel's army killed dozens of Palestinians in Gaza – increasing the horrific toll from 24 months of ongoing violence that have taken many thousands of lives. British political leaders and news organizations have hardly hidden the minimal importance they assign to Palestinian existence. This represents one of the boldest demonstrations of discrimination in our time.

Breaking Boundaries

Our government has already passed a dangerous threshold by proscribing Palestine Action, a non-violent, anti-genocide direct action organization. Multiple thousands of British protesters have been arrested, primarily for carrying placards against mass killing and endorsing the banned organization. Many of those arrested are elderly citizens; including a former clergyman and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.

International Parallels

It's not difficult to see where this trajectory leads. In the United States, political leaders helped demonize demonstrations supporting Palestine: a former House Speaker implied that some were "connected to" foreign governments, while the current president described such protests as antisemitic. In taking these actions, they helped legitimize the repressive measures on such protests – and on freedom of expression in general.

Future Concerns

If a hard-right government comes to power, it would be granted extensive authority to suppress dissent. What might a Reform government do with this repressive toolkit? Our forebears fought, endured hardship and died to secure our freedoms. We may ultimately rue how casually we permitted them to be eroded.