Pro-Palestine slogans to be banned in nation-first move
A controversial slogan calling for the liberation of Palestine will be declared illegal in a state in Australia, in a first move that forms part of sweeping laws targeting antisemitism.
Queensland will become the first state to explicitly ban the use of the phrase “river to sea”, which has been widely adopted by pro-Palestinian supporters.
This and the slogan “Globalize the Intifada” would become prescribed expressions under the proposed laws, and anyone who displays or utters these words would face a maximum prison sentence of two years.
Queenslanders who display hate symbols, recite terrorist slogans, harass or damage places of worship could face up to seven years in prison under the planned changes.
The legislation, which will be introduced to parliament next week, comes after the state rejected a proposed federal gun buyback plan following the December 14 Bondi terror attack.
Fifteen people were killed when two gunmen opened fire on Jewish celebrations in the deadliest attack on Australian soil since the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy.
“We’ve said this from the beginning, we’ve said we’ll take action, and we’re providing a strong and considered response through this legislation,” Prime Minister David Crisafulli said Sunday. he said.
“This is about drawing a clear line to make sure we protect Queenslanders and destroying the embers of hate that have been allowed to burn unchecked for too long.”
The entire phrase “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea” refers to the area between the Jordan River on Israel’s eastern border and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.
Hamas, defined as a terrorist organization in Australia, includes similar expressions of the slogan in its constitution as part of its rejection of Israel.
But activists say these words and “globalizing the intifada” are calls for Palestinian freedom and human rights rather than violence or the destruction of Israel.
Both chants are widely used in pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Australia and other countries.
NSW also wants to outlaw calling for an “intifada” but has yet to legislate the move.
The reform package was announced at the Queensland Holocaust Museum on Sunday and was welcomed by Jewish leaders.
“Over the past two and a half years, the Jewish community has endured unprecedented levels of hatred, intimidation and fear, and the reforms send a clear message that antisemitism and hatred have no place in Queensland,” Queensland Jewish Board of Representatives Chairman Jason Steinberg said. he said.
“This is not only a welcome and necessary step for the Jewish people, but it is also vital to rebuilding the trust we have lost in a time of hatred.”
Opposition multicultural affairs spokeswoman Charis Mullen said Labor supported “thoughtful” legislation tackling antisemitism and would examine the proposals closely.
The current ban on displaying certain symbols such as the swastika in Queensland will be expanded to include Nazi emblems, Hamas and Islamic State flags and the Hezbollah emblem.
The maximum penalty will also be increased to six months to two years’ imprisonment.
Additional protection will also be provided to places of worship.
