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In contemporary Britain, protest is no longer a basic freedom. Instead, 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 advancing, which would dictate when and where protests can occur, with possible prison sentences for those who disobey these limitations.

Erosion of Democratic Rights

Previous governments had already undermined this essential right: the former Conservative government had granted law enforcement extensive new authorities, which global rights bodies had censured as "significant and unjustified limitations" on democratic freedoms. Collectively, these progressive attacks on freedom have effectively eliminated the historically earned right to freedom of protest.

Using Atrocity to Justify Suppression

The most recent restrictive measures are being defended by citing last week's heinous antisemitic attack on a British mosque. There should be universal agreement that the security of British Jews must be safeguarded. However, using this horrific incident as a pretext to suppress dissent is not only disconnected to that responsibility but perverts it.

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

Historical Perspective of Protest

Consider Britain's rich history of public demonstration and activism against racial discrimination and authoritarianism, from the 1936 Battle of Cable Street to postwar Jewish groups opposing fascism and the 1970s mobilizations against the National Front. Many of these early protesters were branded as radicals in their time, even while they were fighting for the freedoms of minorities.

Current Reality

In the current complex situation, here's what's truly occurring: The Israeli government – a foreign state – is perpetrating acts that international bodies have described as genocide. Its military actions have prompted the global justice body to release arrest warrants against Israel's prime minister and his ex-military leader.

International public opinion has shifted dramatically against Israel's violent actions. In Britain, a large percentage of the public think Israel has likely committed war crimes. Most people would endorse a complete ban on weapons exports to the nation, and back the arrest of the Israeli leader.

Suppressing Opposition

Having essentially lost the argument, Israel's supporters are now exploiting a vile antisemitic crime to try to suppress a mass movement against a ethical disaster. The British government seems involved in this effort. Ministers have not enacted comprehensive sanctions on Israel and have permitted weapon shipments to proceed.

People who are protesting against the destruction of Gaza have been labeled as hateful extremists. Yet there's a important factor why there hasn't been a broader suppression on these protesters until now: very limited protesters have made truly offensive statements about Jewish people, giving police authorities minimal reason to take action.

Dangerous Conflation

Equating Jewish identity 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 many organizations, has been rightly challenged for potentially stifling valid commentary of Israel. However, there should be no disagreement about one of its key examples: that "making Jewish people collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel" constitutes antisemitism.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've reached a situation where law enforcement can suggest that protests criticizing Israel's actions should be called off because they might "inadvertently or deliberately" endorse antisemitism. Similarly, political figures have declared that acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood has made political parties "implicated" in supposed mistreatment experienced by Jewish communities.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the very day as the synagogue attack, the Israeli military killed dozens of Palestinian civilians in Gaza – adding to the terrible count from two years of daily atrocities that have claimed many thousands of lives. British politicians and media outlets have barely concealed the minimal importance they assign to Palestinian existence. This represents one of the boldest demonstrations of discrimination in contemporary society.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already crossed a dangerous boundary by proscribing Palestine Action, a peaceful, human rights-focused activist collective. Multiple thousands of British protesters have been arrested, primarily for holding signs opposing mass killing and endorsing the banned organization. Many of those detained are elderly citizens; including a former clergyman and the daughter of a World War II genocide survivor.

International Parallels

It's easy to see where this trajectory leads. In the United States, government officials helped demonize demonstrations supporting Palestine: a former House Speaker implied that some were "linked with" other nations, while the sitting leader described such demonstrations as antisemitic. In taking these actions, they helped legitimize the authoritarian crackdown on such demonstrations – and on free speech in general.

Looking Ahead

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 forebears fought, endured hardship and sacrificed their lives to establish our freedoms. We may ultimately rue how casually we allowed them to slip away.