Banning the phrase 'globalise the intifada' could inadvertently bring 'repressive models' from the UK, according to a New South Wales parliamentary inquiry following the Bondi attack. The inquiry, which closed submissions on Monday, three weeks after the attack, aims to prohibit slogans inciting hatred. The Australian National Imams Council (Anic) and the Palestine Action Group (PAG) have raised concerns about the potential impact on Muslim Australians, particularly Palestinian and Arab communities. Anic and PAG argue that such a ban might lead to the adoption of repressive practices from overseas, especially the UK, where police have threatened to arrest protesters using the phrase.
The inquiry, led by the Labor-majority committee on law and safety, is expected to deliver its final report to the government on January 31. The committee's decision to not hold public hearings has sparked debate, with some questioning the haste of the inquiry and the potential for content-based bans to disproportionately affect certain communities. The Jewish community in NSW, represented by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), has also weighed in, with ECAJ suggesting that hate speech legislation should be broad and flexible to address evolving extremist messaging. The JBD has previously supported the ban, viewing it as a step towards combating hate and incitement.
However, the inquiry has faced criticism from various groups, including the NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL), which warns that banning slogans could undermine social cohesion and political communication. The council questions how a court would determine what constitutes threatening conduct and suggests that education and human rights approaches are more effective in managing community tensions. Prof. Anne Twomey, a constitutional law expert, has also contributed to the inquiry, but her submission's content remains undisclosed.
The debate surrounding 'globalise the intifada' centers on its interpretation and potential for incitement. While some associate the phrase with indiscriminate violence, others argue that it has various meanings and contexts, making content-based bans potentially arbitrary. The inquiry's findings and recommendations will significantly influence the regulation of speech and protest in Australia, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in the region.
