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In contemporary Britain, public demonstration has ceased to be a fundamental right. Instead, it has become a privilege that authorities grant or deny as they see fit. This represents the implication of new regulations that the ruling administration is advancing, which would determine the timing and location protests can take place, with possible prison sentences for those who disobey these limitations.

Gradual Weakening of Democratic Rights

Previous governments had already weakened this essential right: the previous Tory administration had given law enforcement extensive additional powers, which international human rights organizations had censured as "significant and unjustified restrictions" on democratic freedoms. Collectively, these incremental attacks on freedom have practically abolished the hard-won right to freedom of protest.

Using Tragedy to Rationalize Crackdown

The latest restrictive measures are being defended by referring to last week's terrible anti-Jewish assault on a Manchester Islamic center. We can all agree on widespread consensus that the security of Jewish communities in Britain must be protected. However, employing this horrific incident as a pretext to stifle dissent is not only unrelated to that responsibility but perverts it.

"If you can't set boundaries at genocide, you likely can't establish limits at democracy," commented a well-known American author, whose words that applies equally for the present administration.

Historical Context of Demonstration

Consider Britain's rich history of protest and activism against racism and fascism, from the historic 1936 Cable Street confrontation to postwar Jewish groups opposing fascism and the 1970s demonstrations against the far-right organization. Many of these historical demonstrators were branded as extremists in their time, even while they were fighting for the rights of minorities.

Current Reality

In today's complex situation, here's what's actually occurring: Israel – a sovereign nation – is perpetrating what United Nations investigations have characterized as genocide. Its warfare have prompted the International Criminal Court to release arrest warrants against Israel's prime minister and his former defense minister.

Western public opinion 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 state, and approve the arrest of the Israeli leader.

Suppressing Opposition

Having largely failed the argument, 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 arms exports to continue.

People who are protesting against the destruction of Gaza have been characterized as dangerous radicals. Yet there's a important factor why there hasn't been a more extensive crackdown on these protesters until now: very limited protesters have made truly offensive statements about Jewish people, giving police authorities minimal reason to take action.

Dangerous Conflation

Equating Jewish heritage with the actions of the government of Israel is not only cynical but also harmful. The standard interpretation of antisemitism, accepted by the British government and many organizations, has been appropriately questioned for potentially restricting legitimate criticism 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 antisemitism.

Increasing Limitations

This is why we've arrived at a situation where law enforcement can suggest that demonstrations opposing Israel's policies should be called off because they might "inadvertently or deliberately" endorse antisemitism. Similarly, government officials have stated that acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood has made political parties "complicit" in supposed mistreatment experienced by Jewish communities.

Inconsistent Treatment

On the same day as the religious center assault, the Israel's army killed numerous of Palestinians in Gaza – adding to the horrific toll from 24 months of ongoing violence that have taken many thousands of human lives. British political leaders and news organizations have hardly hidden the limited value they attach to Palestinian life. This represents one of the boldest demonstrations of racism in our time.

Crossing Thresholds

Our government has already passed a dangerous boundary by proscribing a specific activist group, a non-violent, human rights-focused activist collective. Thousands of British demonstrators have been arrested, primarily for holding placards against genocide and endorsing the banned organization. Many of those arrested are elderly citizens; among them a former clergyman and the child of a Holocaust survivor.

International Parallels

It's easy to see where this trajectory leads. In the United States, government officials helped demonize pro-Palestinian protests: a ex-political leader suggested that some were "connected to" other nations, while the sitting leader described such demonstrations as anti-Jewish. In doing so, they contributed to normalizing the authoritarian crackdown on such demonstrations – and on free speech in general.

Future Concerns

If a hard-right government comes to power, it would be given extensive authority to control opposition. What might a new administration do with this repressive toolkit? Our ancestors struggled, suffered and died to establish our liberties. We may eventually rue how casually we allowed them to slip away.