Queensland Government proposes slogan ban amid antisemitism crackdown
The Queensland Government is proposing to introduce new laws banning the use of controversial slogans commonly heard at pro-Palestinian rallies.
The “tough” measures announced on Sunday include criminalizing the public use of the slogans “from river to sea” and “globalization of the intifada” in a way that causes threats, harassment or attack.
The newly proposed offense, which carries a maximum prison sentence of two years, is among a series of reforms the government will present to parliament next week.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the move as a “strong and considered response” to make the state safer following the alleged terror attack on Bondi Beach.
“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,” he said.
“The Jewish community has been clear: Queensland needs stronger laws, backed by real enforcement, to stamp out antisemitism and that is exactly what we are delivering.”
The bill was supported by the Queensland Jewish Board of Representatives, while the organisation’s president Jason Steinberg said it was a “welcome and necessary step”.
“Our community greatly appreciates the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to ensuring Jewish Queenslanders can live, work and play like other Queenslanders,” he said.
“This bill goes beyond words and offers real, practical protections for our community and all people who are targets of hate.”
Under the proposed law, the maximum penalty for assaulting or threatening a person leading a religious ceremony would be two to five years in prison.
New penalties will be imposed for preventing people from attending religious ceremonies, harassing them or damaging places of worship.
Bans prohibiting the display of symbols will be expanded to include the Hamas flag and emblem, the Islamic State flag, the Hezbollah emblem and Nazi symbols. The maximum penalty for displaying these in public will be imprisonment from six months to two years.
Image: Dan Peled / NewsWire” class=”css-16r7l45-StyledImage en5ut4d0″/>Queensland Attorney General Deb Frecklington said the government was “doing everything possible to stop the rise of antisemitism”.
“This Bill represents a focused and practical step forward for Queensland,” he said.
“It introduces targeted reforms to ban terrorist symbols and expressions and improve security around places of worship.
“Together, these changes strengthen our commitment to protecting communities and ensuring Queensland remains a safe, inclusive state for everyone.”
