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In today's Britain, public demonstration is no longer a basic freedom. Rather, it has become a conditional permission that those in power allow or withhold as they see fit. This constitutes the implication of proposed measures that the ruling administration is putting forward, which would dictate the timing and location protests can take place, with potential prison sentences for those who disobey these restrictions.

Gradual Weakening of Democratic Rights

Earlier administrations had already weakened this essential right: the previous Tory administration had given law enforcement sweeping additional powers, which international human rights organizations had censured as "significant and unjustified limitations" on civil liberties. Collectively, these incremental attacks on freedom have effectively eliminated the hard-won right to freedom of protest.

Using Atrocity to Justify Suppression

The latest limitations are being defended by citing last week's terrible anti-Jewish assault on a British Islamic center. We can all agree on widespread consensus that the security of British Jews must be protected. However, employing this horrific incident as a justification to stifle opposition is not only unrelated to that duty but distorts it.

"When you cannot draw the line at genocide, you probably cannot draw the line at democracy," observed a well-known American author, a statement that applies equally for the present administration.

Historical Perspective of Protest

Consider Britain's rich history of public demonstration and direct action against racism and fascism, from the 1936 Battle of Cable Street to after World War II Jewish groups opposing fascism and the 1970s mobilizations against the National Front. Many of these historical demonstrators were branded as radicals in their time, even while they were advocating the rights of marginalized groups.

Current Reality

In the current complex situation, here's what's truly happening: The Israeli government – a foreign state – is perpetrating acts that international bodies have described as systematic destruction. Its military actions have led the International Criminal Court to issue legal indictments against Israel's prime minister and his ex-military leader.

Western public opinion has changed significantly against Israel's military campaign. In Britain, a large percentage of citizens think Israel has likely committed war crimes. Most people would endorse a complete ban on weapons exports to the nation, and approve the arrest of Netanyahu.

Silencing Dissent

Having essentially lost the public debate, Israel's supporters are now seizing on a despicable anti-Jewish attack to try to suppress a mass movement against a moral catastrophe. The British government appears to be involved in this effort. Government officials have not enacted comprehensive sanctions on Israel and have allowed arms exports to continue.

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

Dangerous Conflation

Merging Jewish heritage with the policies of the Israeli state is not only cynical but also harmful. The official definition of antisemitism, accepted by the British government and numerous institutions, has been rightly questioned for potentially restricting valid commentary of Israel. However, there should be universal agreement about one of its central illustrations: that "holding Jewish people generally accountable for actions of the state of Israel" constitutes prejudice against Jews.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've reached a point where police authorities can propose that demonstrations criticizing Israel's policies should be called off because they might "inadvertently or intentionally" endorse antisemitism. Similarly, political figures have declared that acknowledgment of Palestine as a nation has made organizations "complicit" in alleged abuse experienced by Jewish communities.

Double Standards

On the very day as the synagogue attack, the Israel's army killed numerous of Palestinians in Gaza – increasing the terrible count from 24 months of ongoing violence that have claimed many thousands of lives. British politicians and news organizations have barely concealed the minimal importance they assign to Palestinian existence. This represents one of the most brazen demonstrations of racism in our time.

Breaking Boundaries

Our government has already passed a concerning boundary by banning Palestine Action, a non-violent, human rights-focused activist collective. Multiple thousands of British demonstrators have been arrested, primarily for holding signs against mass killing and supporting the proscribed group. Many of those arrested are elderly citizens; among them a retired priest and the daughter of a World War II genocide survivor.

Global Comparisons

It's not difficult to see where this path leads. In the United States, government officials helped demonize pro-Palestinian protests: a former House Speaker implied that some were "linked with" other nations, while the sitting leader described such protests as anti-Jewish. In doing so, they helped legitimize the authoritarian crackdown on such protests – and on free speech in general.

Future Concerns

If a conservative administration comes to power, it would be given sweeping powers to suppress opposition. What might a Reform government do with this restrictive framework? Our forebears struggled, suffered and sacrificed their lives to establish our freedoms. We may eventually regret how easily we permitted them to slip away.