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In contemporary Britain, public demonstration has ceased to be a basic freedom. Instead, it has become a privilege that authorities allow or withhold at their discretion. This constitutes the implication of proposed measures that the ruling administration is putting forward, which would dictate when and where demonstrations can occur, with potential prison sentences for those who disobey these restrictions.

Gradual Weakening of Civil Liberties

Previous administrations had already weakened this essential right: the former Conservative government had granted law enforcement sweeping additional powers, which global rights bodies had condemned as "serious and undue limitations" on civil liberties. Collectively, these progressive attacks on liberty have practically eliminated the hard-won right to public demonstration.

Exploiting Tragedy to Justify Crackdown

The latest limitations are being defended by citing last week's terrible anti-Jewish assault on a Manchester mosque. There should be widespread consensus that the security of British Jews must be protected. However, employing this horrific incident as a pretext to stifle opposition is not only disconnected to that responsibility but distorts it.

"When you cannot set boundaries at mass killing, you probably can't draw the line at democracy," observed a well-known American author, whose words that rings true for the present administration.

Historical Perspective of Protest

Consider Britain's long tradition of public demonstration and direct action against racism and authoritarianism, from the historic 1936 Cable Street confrontation to postwar Jewish anti-fascist movements and the 1970s demonstrations against the National Front. Many of these historical demonstrators were branded as extremists in their era, even while they were fighting for the freedoms of minorities.

Present Situation

In the current complex situation, here's what's actually occurring: The Israeli government – a sovereign nation – is committing what United Nations investigations have described as systematic destruction. Its warfare have led the International Criminal Court to issue legal indictments against Israel's prime minister and his ex-military leader.

International public opinion has shifted dramatically against Israel's military campaign. In Britain, a large percentage of the public believe Israel has likely committed war crimes. Most people would support a complete ban on arms sales to the state, and approve the detention of Netanyahu.

Silencing Dissent

Having essentially lost the public debate, pro-Israel advocates are now seizing on a despicable antisemitic crime to try to silence a popular campaign against a moral catastrophe. The British government seems involved in this attempt. Government officials have not enacted extensive restrictions on Israel and have allowed weapon shipments to continue.

People who are protesting against the erasure 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: very limited protesters have made truly offensive statements about Jewish people, giving law enforcement little justification to take action.

Problematic Association

Equating Jewish identity with the policies of the Israeli state is not only manipulative but also dangerous. The official definition of anti-Jewish prejudice, accepted by the British government and numerous institutions, has been appropriately questioned for potentially stifling legitimate criticism of Israel. However, there should be universal agreement about one of its central illustrations: that "making Jewish people generally accountable for actions of the state of Israel" constitutes antisemitism.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've arrived at a point where police authorities can propose that protests opposing Israel's policies should be canceled because they might "inadvertently or deliberately" endorse anti-Jewish sentiment. Similarly, government officials have stated that acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood has made organizations "complicit" in alleged abuse faced by British Jews.

Inconsistent Treatment

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

Breaking Boundaries

Our government has already crossed a concerning threshold by proscribing a specific activist group, a non-violent, anti-genocide direct action organization. Multiple thousands of British protesters have been arrested, mostly for holding placards against mass killing and supporting the proscribed group. Many of those arrested are elderly citizens; including a retired priest and the child of a Holocaust survivor.

International Parallels

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

Future Concerns

If a conservative administration comes to power, it would be given sweeping powers to control opposition. What might a Reform government do with this repressive toolkit? Our ancestors fought, endured hardship and sacrificed their lives to establish our liberties. We may ultimately rue how easily we allowed them to be eroded.