Pro-Palestine slogans to be banned in nation-first move

Popular pro-Palestinian slogans will be outlawed as one state introduces sweeping legislation to crack down on hate speech and antisemitism.

A controversial slogan calling for Palestinian liberation will be outlawed in one state in an Australia-first move that forms part of sweeping laws to target anti-Semitism.

Queensland will become the first state to expressly ban the use of the phrase “from the river to the sea”, which has been widely adopted by pro-Palestinian supporters.

It and the slogan “globalise the intifada” will become prescribed phrases under the proposed laws, leaving anyone displaying or uttering the words liable for a maximum two-year prison sentence.

Queenslanders who display hate symbols, recite terrorist slogans, harass or cause damage at a place of worship could face up to seven years in prison under the planned changes.

The legislation, due to be introduced to parliament in the coming week, follows the state’s rejection of a proposed federal gun buyback scheme 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 called this out from the beginning, we said we’d act, and through this legislation, we are delivering a strong and considered response,” Premier David Crisafulli said on Sunday.

“This is about drawing a clear line – and stamping out the embers of hatred that were allowed to burn unchecked for too long – to ensure we protect Queenslanders.”

The full saying “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is a reference to the land between the Jordan River, which borders eastern Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.

Hamas, designated a terror organisation in Australia, includes similar wording to the slogan in its constitution as part of its rejection of Israel.

But activists say those words and “globalise the intifada” are calls for Palestinian freedom and human rights, rather than violence or the destruction of Israel.

Both chants are widely used at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Australia and other nations.

NSW is also looking to outlaw the “intifada” call but is yet to legislate the move.

The suite of reforms were unveiled on Sunday at the Queensland Holocaust Museum and welcomed by Jewish leaders.

“For the past two and a half years, the Jewish community has endured unprecedented levels of hate, intimidation and fear and the reforms send a clear message that anti-Semitism and hate have no place in Queensland,” Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies president Jason Steinberg said.

“This is not only a welcome and necessary step for Jewish people, but it is also vital for rebuilding the confidence we have lost as hatred has run rampant.”

Opposition multicultural affairs spokeswoman Charis Mullen said Labor supported “considered” laws that tackled anti-Semitism and it would closely examine the proposals.

The existing Queensland ban on the display of certain symbols, such as swastikas, will be extended to include Nazi emblems, the Hamas and Islamic State flags, and the Hezbollah emblem.

The maximum penalty will also be increased from six months to two years’ imprisonment.

Places of worship will also be granted additional protection.

By: Robyn Wuth/AAP