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In contemporary Britain, protest has ceased to be a fundamental right. Rather, it has become a privilege that those in power allow or deny at their discretion. This constitutes the underlying meaning of new regulations that the current government is advancing, which would dictate the timing and location demonstrations can take place, with possible imprisonment for those who disobey these restrictions.

Gradual Weakening of Civil Liberties

Earlier administrations had already weakened this essential right: the former Conservative government had given law enforcement extensive additional powers, which global rights bodies had condemned as "significant and undue limitations" on democratic freedoms. Collectively, these progressive assaults on liberty have effectively abolished the hard-won right to freedom of protest.

Exploiting Tragedy to Justify Suppression

The most recent limitations are being justified by citing last week's terrible anti-Jewish assault on a British Islamic center. There should be universal agreement that the safety of Jewish communities in Britain must be protected. However, using this atrocity as a pretext to suppress opposition is not only unrelated to that responsibility but perverts it.

"If you cannot draw the line at mass killing, you likely cannot draw the line at democratic principles," observed a prominent American author, a statement that applies equally for the present administration.

Historical Context of Protest

Consider Britain's long tradition of protest and direct action against racism and authoritarianism, from the 1936 Battle of Cable Street to postwar Jewish anti-fascist movements and the 1970s demonstrations against the National Front. Many of these early protesters were branded as radicals in their era, even while they were fighting for the rights of marginalized groups.

Present Situation

In the current complex situation, here's what's actually occurring: The Israeli government – a sovereign nation – is committing acts that international bodies have described as systematic destruction. Its warfare have led the International Criminal Court to issue legal indictments against Israel's prime minister and his former defense minister.

Western public opinion has shifted dramatically against Israel's violent actions. In Britain, a substantial majority of the public think Israel has likely committed war crimes. Most people would endorse a total prohibition on weapons exports to the state, and back the arrest of Netanyahu.

Suppressing Opposition

Having essentially failed the public debate, pro-Israel advocates are now exploiting a vile antisemitic crime to try to suppress a mass movement against a ethical disaster. The British government appears to be included in this attempt. Government officials have failed to implement extensive restrictions on Israel and have permitted arms exports to proceed.

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 crackdown on these demonstrators until now: very limited protesters have made genuinely hateful statements about Jewish people, giving police authorities little justification to take action.

Dangerous Conflation

Merging Jewish identity with the policies of the government of Israel is not only cynical but also harmful. The standard interpretation of anti-Jewish prejudice, accepted 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 "holding Jewish people collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel" constitutes antisemitism.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've arrived at a point where police authorities can suggest that demonstrations criticizing Israel's actions should be called off because they might "accidentally or intentionally" support anti-Jewish sentiment. Similarly, political figures have stated that acknowledgment of Palestine as a nation has made organizations "complicit" in supposed mistreatment experienced by Jewish communities.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the very day as the religious center assault, the Israel's army killed numerous of Palestinians in Gaza – adding to the terrible count from two years of daily atrocities that have taken many thousands of human lives. British politicians and news organizations have barely concealed the limited value they assign to Palestinian life. This represents one of the boldest demonstrations of discrimination in our time.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already passed a dangerous boundary by proscribing a specific activist group, a peaceful, human rights-focused direct action organization. Thousands of British demonstrators have been detained, mostly for holding placards opposing mass killing and endorsing the banned organization. Many of those arrested are pensioners; including a retired priest and the child of a Holocaust survivor.

International Parallels

It's not difficult to see where this trajectory leads. In the United States, government officials helped vilify demonstrations supporting Palestine: a ex-political leader suggested that some were "connected to" foreign governments, while the sitting leader described such demonstrations as antisemitic. In taking these actions, they contributed to normalizing the authoritarian crackdown on such protests – and on free speech in general.

Future Concerns

If a hard-right government comes to power, it would be granted extensive authority to suppress dissent. What might a new administration do with this repressive toolkit? Our ancestors fought, suffered and sacrificed their lives to secure our liberties. We may ultimately regret how easily we permitted them to slip away.