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In today's Britain, protest is no longer a fundamental right. Rather, it has become a conditional permission that those in power allow or deny as they see fit. This constitutes the implication of proposed measures that the current government is advancing, which would determine when and where demonstrations can occur, with potential prison sentences for those who defy these restrictions.

Erosion of Civil Liberties

Earlier governments had already undermined this essential right: the previous Tory administration had given law enforcement sweeping new authorities, which global rights bodies had censured as "significant and unjustified restrictions" on civil liberties. Collectively, these incremental attacks on freedom have practically abolished the historically earned right to public demonstration.

Using Atrocity to Rationalize Suppression

The latest limitations are being justified by citing last week's heinous anti-Jewish assault on a Manchester mosque. There should be widespread consensus that the safety of British Jews must be protected. However, using this horrific incident as a pretext to stifle dissent is not only unrelated to that duty but distorts it.

"When you cannot draw the line at mass killing, you likely can't draw the line at democracy," observed a prominent American author, a statement that applies equally for the current government.

Historical Perspective of Demonstration

Reflect on Britain's long tradition of protest and direct action against racial discrimination and fascism, from the historic 1936 Cable Street confrontation to postwar Jewish groups opposing fascism and the 1970s mobilizations against the far-right organization. Many of these historical demonstrators were branded as radicals in their era, even while they were fighting for the rights of minorities.

Current Reality

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

International popular sentiment has shifted dramatically against Israel's military campaign. In Britain, a large percentage of the public believe Israel has likely committed war crimes. Most people would support a total prohibition on arms sales to the nation, and approve the detention of the Israeli leader.

Suppressing Opposition

Having essentially lost the argument, Israel's supporters are now exploiting a vile anti-Jewish attack to try to silence a popular campaign against a moral catastrophe. The British government seems involved in this attempt. Ministers have failed to implement comprehensive sanctions on Israel and have allowed arms exports to continue.

People who are demonstrating against the destruction of Gaza have been labeled as hateful extremists. Yet there's a important factor why there hasn't been a more extensive crackdown on these demonstrators until now: very limited protesters have made truly offensive statements about Jewish people, giving police authorities little justification to take action.

Problematic Association

Merging Jewish heritage with the policies of the government of Israel is not only manipulative but also dangerous. The official definition of anti-Jewish prejudice, adopted by the British government and numerous institutions, has been appropriately challenged for potentially restricting valid commentary of Israel. However, there should be universal agreement about one of its key examples: that "making Jewish people generally accountable for decisions of the state of Israel" constitutes prejudice against Jews.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've arrived at a situation where law enforcement can propose that demonstrations criticizing Israel's actions should be canceled because they might "accidentally or intentionally" endorse antisemitism. Similarly, government officials have stated that recognition of Palestine as a nation has made organizations "complicit" in supposed mistreatment faced by Jewish communities.

Double Standards

On the same day as the synagogue attack, the Israeli military killed dozens of Palestinians in Gaza – adding to the terrible count from 24 months of daily atrocities that have claimed tens of thousands of lives. British political leaders and news organizations have hardly hidden the minimal importance they attach to Palestinian existence. This represents one of the most brazen demonstrations of discrimination in our time.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already passed a concerning boundary by proscribing a specific activist group, a peaceful, anti-genocide direct action organization. Multiple thousands of British protesters have been detained, primarily for carrying placards against mass killing and supporting the banned organization. Many of those arrested are pensioners; including a retired priest and the child of a Holocaust survivor.

International Parallels

It's easy to see where this trajectory leads. In the United States, political leaders helped vilify pro-Palestinian protests: a ex-political leader suggested that some were "connected to" foreign governments, while the sitting leader described such protests as antisemitic. In taking these actions, they helped legitimize the authoritarian crackdown on such protests – and on freedom of expression in general.

Looking Ahead

If a conservative administration comes to power, it would be given extensive authority to suppress dissent. What might a new administration do with this repressive toolkit? Our ancestors fought, suffered and died to secure our liberties. We may ultimately rue how easily we allowed them to slip away.