When Will the Crackdown on Britain's Civil Liberties Stop? It Began with Palestinian Protests

In contemporary Britain, protest is no longer a fundamental right. Rather, it has become a privilege that those in power allow 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 protests can take place, with possible imprisonment for those who defy these limitations.

Erosion of Civil Liberties

Earlier administrations had already undermined this essential right: the former Conservative government had given law enforcement sweeping new authorities, which global rights bodies had condemned as "serious and undue limitations" on democratic freedoms. Collectively, these progressive assaults on liberty have effectively eliminated the historically earned right to public demonstration.

Using Tragedy to Justify Suppression

The latest restrictive measures are being justified by citing last week's heinous antisemitic attack on a Manchester mosque. There should be widespread consensus that the safety of British Jews must be protected. However, using this atrocity as a justification to stifle dissent is not only disconnected to that responsibility but perverts 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 applies equally for the current government.

Historical Context of Protest

Reflect on Britain's long tradition of protest and activism against racial discrimination and fascism, from the historic 1936 Cable Street confrontation to after World War II Jewish groups opposing fascism and the 1970s demonstrations against the far-right organization. Many of these historical demonstrators were branded as radicals in their era, even while they were fighting for the freedoms of marginalized groups.

Current Reality

In the current complicated landscape, here's what's actually occurring: Israel – a foreign state – is committing what United Nations investigations have described as systematic destruction. Its military actions have led the global justice body to release legal indictments against Benjamin Netanyahu and his ex-military leader.

Western public opinion has shifted dramatically against Israel's violent actions. In Britain, a substantial majority of citizens believe Israel has likely committed war crimes. Most people would support a total prohibition on weapons exports to the nation, and back the detention of Netanyahu.

Silencing Dissent

Having largely lost the argument, Israel's supporters are now exploiting a vile antisemitic crime to attempt to suppress a mass movement against a ethical disaster. The British government appears to be involved in this attempt. Ministers have failed to implement comprehensive sanctions on Israel and have allowed weapon shipments to proceed.

People who are protesting against the destruction of Gaza have been labeled as dangerous radicals. Yet there's a significant reason why there hasn't been a broader crackdown on these demonstrators until now: very limited protesters have made genuinely hateful statements about Jewish people, giving police authorities little justification to take action.

Problematic Association

Equating Jewish identity with the policies of the Israeli state is not only manipulative but also harmful. The official definition of antisemitism, adopted by the British government and many organizations, has been appropriately challenged for potentially restricting legitimate criticism of Israel. However, there should be no disagreement about one of its central illustrations: that "holding Jewish people collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel" constitutes antisemitism.

Escalating Restrictions

This is why we've reached a situation where law enforcement can propose that demonstrations criticizing Israel's actions should be canceled because they might "accidentally or deliberately" endorse anti-Jewish sentiment. Similarly, political figures have declared that recognition of Palestinian statehood has made organizations "complicit" in supposed mistreatment experienced by British Jews.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the same day as the synagogue attack, the Israeli military killed numerous of Palestinians in Gaza – increasing the terrible count from 24 months of daily atrocities that have claimed many thousands of lives. British politicians and media outlets have hardly hidden the limited value they attach to Palestinian life. This represents one of the most brazen expressions of discrimination in contemporary society.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already passed a dangerous boundary by proscribing Palestine Action, a peaceful, human rights-focused activist collective. Multiple thousands of British protesters have been arrested, primarily for carrying placards against mass killing and supporting the banned organization. Many of those arrested are elderly citizens; among them a retired priest and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.

Global Comparisons

It's not difficult to see where this trajectory leads. In the United States, government officials helped demonize demonstrations supporting Palestine: a ex-political leader suggested that some were "linked with" other nations, while the current president described such protests as antisemitic. In doing so, they contributed to normalizing the repressive measures on such protests – and on freedom of expression in general.

Future Concerns

If a conservative administration comes to power, it would be granted sweeping powers to suppress opposition. What might a new administration do with this restrictive framework? Our forebears struggled, suffered and died to establish our freedoms. We may ultimately regret how easily we allowed them to slip away.