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In contemporary Britain, protest has ceased to be a basic freedom. Rather, it has become a conditional permission that authorities grant or deny as they see fit. This constitutes the underlying meaning of new regulations that the current government is putting forward, which would determine the timing and location protests can occur, with potential imprisonment for those who disobey these limitations.

Gradual Weakening of Civil Liberties

Previous administrations had already undermined this essential right: the previous Tory administration had granted law enforcement sweeping additional powers, which global rights bodies had censured as "serious and undue restrictions" on civil liberties. Taken together, these progressive assaults on liberty have effectively eliminated the historically earned right to public demonstration.

Using Tragedy to Rationalize Suppression

The latest restrictive measures are being justified by citing last week's terrible antisemitic assault on a British Islamic center. We can all agree on universal agreement that the safety of Jewish communities in Britain must be safeguarded. However, using this atrocity as a justification to suppress opposition is not only unrelated 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 well-known American author, whose words that applies equally for the present administration.

Historical Perspective of Demonstration

Reflect on Britain's long tradition of public demonstration and direct action 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 labeled as radicals in their time, even while they were advocating the freedoms of marginalized groups.

Present Situation

In today's complex situation, here's what's truly occurring: The Israeli government – a sovereign nation – is perpetrating acts that international bodies have described as systematic destruction. Its warfare have prompted the global justice body to release legal indictments 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 likely committed war crimes. Most people would support a complete ban on arms sales to the nation, and back the arrest of Netanyahu.

Suppressing Opposition

Having essentially lost the argument, pro-Israel advocates are now exploiting a despicable antisemitic crime to attempt to suppress a popular campaign against a moral catastrophe. The British government seems included in this attempt. Ministers have not enacted comprehensive sanctions on Israel and have permitted arms exports to proceed.

People who are protesting against the erasure of Gaza have been labeled as hateful extremists. Yet there's a significant reason why there hasn't been a more extensive suppression on these demonstrators until now: very limited protesters have made genuinely hateful statements about Jewish people, giving law enforcement minimal reason to intervene.

Dangerous Conflation

Equating Jewish identity with the actions of the government of Israel is not only cynical but also harmful. The official definition of antisemitism, 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 "holding Jewish people generally accountable for decisions of the state of Israel" constitutes prejudice against Jews.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've arrived at a situation where police authorities can suggest that protests opposing Israel's policies should be called off because they might "inadvertently or intentionally" endorse antisemitism. Similarly, political figures have declared that recognition of Palestinian statehood has made organizations "implicated" in alleged abuse experienced by Jewish communities.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the same day as the religious center assault, the Israeli military killed numerous of Palestinians in Gaza – increasing the terrible count from two years of ongoing violence that have taken many thousands of human lives. British politicians and news organizations have barely concealed the limited value they attach to Palestinian existence. This represents one of the most brazen expressions of discrimination in our time.

Breaking Boundaries

Our government has already crossed a concerning boundary by banning Palestine Action, a non-violent, human rights-focused direct action organization. Thousands of British demonstrators have been arrested, mostly for carrying placards against mass killing and supporting the banned organization. Many of those detained are elderly citizens; among them a former clergyman and the daughter of a World War II genocide survivor.

Global Comparisons

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

Future Concerns

If a conservative administration comes to power, it would be given extensive authority to control opposition. What might a new administration do with this repressive toolkit? Our ancestors fought, suffered and died to secure our liberties. We may ultimately rue how easily we permitted them to be eroded.