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In today's 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 implication of new regulations that the ruling administration is putting forward, which would dictate the timing and location demonstrations can take place, with potential prison sentences for those who disobey these limitations.

Gradual Weakening of Civil Liberties

Previous governments had already undermined this fundamental freedom: the former Conservative government had given law enforcement extensive additional powers, which global rights bodies had condemned as "significant and unjustified limitations" on civil liberties. Taken together, these progressive assaults on freedom have practically eliminated the hard-won right to public demonstration.

Using Atrocity to Rationalize Suppression

The most recent restrictive measures are being justified by citing last week's terrible antisemitic assault on a British mosque. We can all agree on universal agreement that the safety of British Jews must be protected. However, employing this atrocity as a pretext to suppress opposition is not only disconnected to that responsibility but perverts it.

"When you can't set boundaries at mass killing, you likely cannot establish limits at democratic principles," observed a prominent American author, whose words that applies equally for the current government.

Historical Perspective of Demonstration

Reflect on Britain's long tradition of protest and activism against racial discrimination and authoritarianism, from the historic 1936 Cable Street confrontation to postwar Jewish groups opposing fascism and the 1970s demonstrations against the far-right organization. Many of these early protesters were labeled as extremists in their time, even while they were fighting for the rights of minorities.

Present Situation

In the current complicated landscape, here's what's truly happening: The Israeli government – a sovereign nation – is perpetrating acts that international bodies have characterized as genocide. Its warfare have prompted the International Criminal Court to release arrest warrants against Israel's prime minister and his ex-military leader.

Western public opinion has shifted dramatically against Israel's military campaign. In Britain, a large percentage of citizens think Israel has probably committed international law violations. Most people would support a total prohibition on arms sales to the state, and back the arrest of Netanyahu.

Silencing Dissent

Having largely failed the public debate, pro-Israel advocates are now exploiting a despicable antisemitic crime to try to suppress a popular campaign against a ethical disaster. The British government seems involved in this effort. Government officials have failed to implement extensive restrictions on Israel and have allowed arms exports to continue.

People who are protesting against the erasure of Gaza have been labeled as dangerous radicals. Yet there's a important factor why there hasn't been a broader suppression on these protesters until now: extremely few protesters have made truly offensive statements about Jewish people, giving police authorities little justification to take action.

Dangerous Conflation

Merging Jewish heritage with the policies of the government of Israel is not only manipulative but also harmful. The official definition of anti-Jewish prejudice, adopted by the British government and numerous institutions, has been appropriately questioned for potentially stifling valid commentary of Israel. However, there should be universal agreement about one of its central illustrations: that "making Jewish people collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel" constitutes prejudice against Jews.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've arrived at a point where law enforcement can suggest that demonstrations criticizing Israel's policies should be canceled because they might "accidentally or intentionally" endorse anti-Jewish sentiment. Similarly, political figures have declared that acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood has made organizations "implicated" in supposed mistreatment faced by British Jews.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the same day as the synagogue attack, the Israeli military killed dozens of Palestinian civilians in Gaza – adding to the terrible count from 24 months of ongoing violence that have claimed tens of thousands of human lives. British politicians and news organizations have hardly hidden the limited value they assign to Palestinian life. This represents one of the boldest expressions of discrimination in our time.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already crossed a concerning threshold by banning a specific activist group, a non-violent, anti-genocide direct action organization. Thousands of British demonstrators have been detained, primarily for carrying placards against mass killing and supporting the proscribed group. Many of those detained are pensioners; including a retired priest and the child of a World War II genocide survivor.

Global Comparisons

It's easy to see where this path leads. In the United States, political leaders helped demonize demonstrations supporting Palestine: a ex-political leader suggested that some were "linked with" foreign governments, while the sitting leader described such demonstrations 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 given extensive authority to control opposition. What might a new administration do with this repressive toolkit? Our forebears fought, endured hardship and sacrificed their lives to establish our freedoms. We may ultimately rue how casually we permitted them to be eroded.