Bondi massacre sparks crackdown on hateful flags, slogans and chants

New measures announced in the wake of the Bondi massacre will give NSW Police more powers to cover hate speech and symbols.

Among a series of plans announced by Prime Minister Chris Minns was to ban the slogan “globalising the intifada”, a slogan that “encourages hate speech and violence in our society”.

Intifada is an Arabic word meaning ‘uprising’ and has been used in connection with Palestinian protests against Israel.

Some of those who use the phrase at marches around the world claim that it is used solely to show support for Palestinian resistance against Israel.

However, the slogan was criticized by Jewish groups on the grounds that anti-Zionism incited political violence, terrorism and anti-Semitism.

Mr Minns said: ‘We… will make clear that the terrible events of recent times show that the slogan ‘globalize the intifada’ is hate speech and encourages violence in our society.

“This hymn will be banned along with other hateful comments and statements made in our society.”

Under this crackdown, offenders could face a maximum of two years in prison or a fine of up to $22,000 for individuals and up to $110,000 for organizations.

Exceptions will be made for academic or other purposes in the public interest, and the new measures will be presented to parliament on Monday.

Mr Minns said he thought ‘globalising the intifada’ already violated hate speech laws but that this would remove any ambiguity.

He said: “Anyone who thought they could sneak in this statement before the change of legislation should think again. We have strong recommendations that the statement that the intifada has gone global already breaches hate speech laws in New South Wales.”

“This legislation will put that beyond any doubt.

“So you’re doing a very risky business, if you intend to use that phrase before the bill becomes law, you will be charged.”

The changes will also give NSW police greater powers if they suspect someone has committed an offense during a public gathering, including the removal of face masks.

Current laws only allow police to do this if someone is arrested, detained or suspected of committing a criminal offence.

“These changes, along with stricter gun laws and temporary restrictions on public gatherings following a terrorist incident, are about protecting the community and allowing NSW Police to focus on preventing harm,” Mr Minns said.

On symbols, Mr Minns said: “Monday’s legislation will ban terrorist symbols, particularly flags of ISIS, and indeed all banned terrorist organizations in New South Wales, from being displayed publicly, either on the streets during a public demonstration or in homes anywhere.”

He added that the state attorney general, Michael Daley, will task the Legislature’s Law and Security Committee with reviewing the new laws to reduce the risk of them being challenged in the courts.

Regarding the ban on symbols and flags of Al Qaeda, ISIS and Hamas, Mr Daley said: “The display of these symbols can only be made by those who are unstable or intend to insult, intimidate and intimidate, and this does not apply in New South Wales.”

Opposition leader Kellie Sloane said in a statement: “We await the publication of detailed proposals and relevant legislation, which we will consider carefully when ready.

“The Opposition will continue to work constructively and put forward practical, proportionate policies to strengthen community safety, strengthen social cohesion and maintain confidence in the rule of law across New South Wales.”