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In today's Britain, protest has ceased to be a basic freedom. Instead, it has become a privilege that authorities allow or withhold at their discretion. This constitutes the underlying meaning of new regulations that the current government is advancing, which would determine when and where protests can take place, with potential prison sentences for those who disobey these limitations.

Gradual Weakening of Civil Liberties

Previous administrations had already weakened this essential right: the former Conservative government had given law enforcement extensive additional powers, which global rights bodies had censured as "significant and unjustified restrictions" on democratic freedoms. Collectively, these progressive assaults on liberty have effectively eliminated the historically earned right to freedom of protest.

Using Atrocity to Rationalize Crackdown

The most recent restrictive measures are being defended by referring to last week's heinous antisemitic attack on a Manchester Islamic center. We can all agree on widespread consensus that the security of Jewish communities in Britain must be safeguarded. However, using this atrocity as a justification to stifle opposition is not only unrelated to that duty but perverts it.

"If you cannot draw the line at mass killing, you likely can't establish limits at democratic principles," commented a well-known American author, whose words that applies equally for the current government.

Historical Perspective of Protest

Consider Britain's long tradition of public demonstration and activism against racial discrimination and fascism, from the 1936 Battle of Cable Street to after World War II Jewish groups opposing fascism and the 1970s demonstrations against the National Front. Many of these historical demonstrators were branded as radicals in their time, even while they were advocating the rights of minorities.

Current Reality

In today's complicated landscape, here's what's truly happening: The Israeli government – a foreign state – is committing what United Nations investigations have characterized as systematic destruction. Its warfare have prompted the global justice body to release arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister.

International popular sentiment has shifted dramatically against Israel's violent actions. In Britain, a substantial majority of citizens think Israel has likely committed international law violations. Most people would support a total prohibition on weapons exports to the nation, and approve the detention of the Israeli leader.

Suppressing Opposition

Having essentially failed the public debate, pro-Israel advocates are now exploiting a vile antisemitic crime to try to suppress a popular campaign against a ethical disaster. The British government appears to be involved in this effort. Government officials have failed to implement comprehensive sanctions on Israel and have allowed weapon shipments to proceed.

People who are protesting against the destruction of Gaza have been labeled as hateful extremists. Yet there's a significant reason 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 law enforcement little justification to intervene.

Problematic Association

Equating Jewish heritage with the actions of the government of Israel is not only manipulative but also harmful. The official definition of antisemitism, 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 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 canceled because they might "inadvertently or deliberately" support anti-Jewish sentiment. Similarly, political figures have stated that recognition of Palestine as a nation has made political parties "complicit" in alleged abuse experienced by Jewish communities.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the same day as the synagogue attack, the Israel's army killed dozens of Palestinian civilians in Gaza – increasing the terrible count from 24 months of daily atrocities that have claimed tens of thousands of lives. British politicians and media outlets have barely concealed the minimal importance they attach to Palestinian life. This represents one of the boldest expressions of discrimination in our time.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already passed a dangerous threshold by proscribing Palestine Action, a peaceful, human rights-focused direct action organization. Thousands of British protesters have been arrested, mostly for carrying signs against mass killing and endorsing the proscribed group. Many of those arrested are elderly citizens; including a former clergyman and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.

Global Comparisons

It's not difficult to see where this trajectory leads. In the United States, political leaders helped vilify demonstrations supporting Palestine: a ex-political leader 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 free speech in general.

Looking Ahead

If a conservative administration comes to power, it would be given extensive authority to control dissent. What might a new administration do with this repressive toolkit? Our ancestors struggled, endured hardship and died to establish our freedoms. We may ultimately regret how easily we permitted them to be eroded.