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In today's Britain, public demonstration is no longer a fundamental right. Rather, it has become a privilege that those in power grant or deny at their discretion. This represents the underlying meaning of new regulations that the current government is putting forward, which would dictate when and where demonstrations can occur, with possible prison sentences for those who disobey these limitations.

Erosion of Democratic Rights

Earlier administrations had already undermined this essential right: the previous Tory administration had given law enforcement sweeping additional powers, which global rights bodies had condemned as "serious and unjustified restrictions" on civil liberties. Taken together, these progressive attacks on liberty have practically eliminated the hard-won right to freedom of protest.

Using Atrocity to Rationalize Suppression

The latest limitations are being justified by citing last week's terrible anti-Jewish attack on a British mosque. We can all agree on widespread consensus that the safety of British Jews must be safeguarded. However, using this atrocity as a pretext to stifle opposition is not only unrelated to that responsibility but perverts it.

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

Historical Perspective of Protest

Consider Britain's rich history of protest 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 National Front. Many of these historical demonstrators were labeled as extremists in their era, even while they were advocating the rights of marginalized groups.

Present Situation

In today's complicated landscape, here's what's actually occurring: Israel – a foreign state – is committing what United Nations investigations have characterized as systematic destruction. Its military actions have led the International Criminal Court to issue legal indictments against Israel's prime minister and his former defense minister.

International public opinion has shifted dramatically against Israel's violent actions. In Britain, a substantial majority of the public believe Israel has probably committed international law violations. Most people would support a complete ban on weapons exports to the nation, and back the detention of the Israeli leader.

Suppressing Opposition

Having largely lost the public debate, Israel's supporters are now seizing on a vile anti-Jewish attack to try to silence a mass movement against a ethical disaster. The British government appears to be included in this effort. Government officials 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 dangerous radicals. Yet there's a important factor why there hasn't been a broader suppression on these protesters until now: very limited protesters have made genuinely hateful statements about Jewish people, giving police authorities little justification to take action.

Problematic Association

Merging Jewish heritage with the actions of the Israeli state is not only manipulative but also dangerous. The official definition of antisemitism, accepted by the British government and many organizations, has been appropriately challenged for potentially restricting 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 prejudice against Jews.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've arrived at a situation where police authorities can propose that demonstrations criticizing Israel's policies should be called off because they might "inadvertently or intentionally" support anti-Jewish sentiment. Similarly, political figures have declared that acknowledgment of Palestine as a nation has made organizations "complicit" in alleged abuse faced by British Jews.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the same day as the synagogue attack, the Israel's army killed numerous of Palestinians in Gaza – adding to the terrible count from 24 months of daily atrocities that have claimed many thousands of human lives. British political leaders and media outlets have barely concealed the limited value they attach to Palestinian existence. This represents one of the boldest demonstrations of discrimination in our time.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already crossed a dangerous threshold by banning Palestine Action, a peaceful, anti-genocide activist collective. Thousands of British protesters have been arrested, mostly for carrying placards opposing genocide and supporting the proscribed group. Many of those detained are elderly citizens; including a retired priest and the child of a World War II genocide survivor.

Global Comparisons

It's not difficult to see where this trajectory 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 current president characterized such demonstrations as antisemitic. In doing so, they helped legitimize the repressive measures on such protests – and on freedom of expression in general.

Future Concerns

If a hard-right government comes to power, it would be given sweeping powers to control dissent. What might a new administration do with this restrictive framework? Our forebears struggled, suffered and died to secure our liberties. We may eventually rue how casually we permitted them to slip away.