Skip to main content
Advertise with the Morning Star
New South Wales to debate sweeping crackdown ‘extremism’ following anti-semitic Bondi Beach massacre
Crackdown: New South Wales premier Chris Minns

NEW South Wales plans a sweeping crackdown on “extremist” symbols, protest rights and free speech in the wake of the horrific anti-semitic killings on Bondi Beach.

The Australian state’s parliament has been recalled and will tomorrow debate proposals to ban the flag of Islamic State — the terrorist network the two gunmen responsible for the December 14 massacre are believed to be affiliated with — and other “extremist” symbols.

State premier Chris Minns said the chant “globalise the intifada” will also be banned, in a move trying to link the anti-semitic murders of 15 people — including a 10-year-old girl — at a Hanukkah celebration, with the international movement in solidarity with Palestine.

“Horrific, recent events have shown that the chant ‘globalise the intifada’ is hate speech and encourages violence in our community,” Minns told reporters. “You’re running a very risky racket if you’re thinking of using that phrase.”

No evidence has linked the gunmen — father and son Sajid and Navid Akram — to the Palestinian cause.

Police in London courted controversy last week by arresting people for chanting “globalise the intifada,” though it has never been banned in Britain. The arrests were made at a protest outside the Ministry of Justice demanding action to save the lives of hunger strikers protesting against their long-term detention without trial charged with disrupting production at Israeli arms firms.

The term “intifada” is usually translated as “uprising” and many Palestine solidarity activists argue it refers to a worldwide movement resisting Israel’s illegal occupation. Critics of the chant say it encourages violence against supporters of Israel, Jews, or both.

New South Wales MPs will also look at a law authorising police to order people to remove face coverings at demos.

At a national level, Australia is looking to broaden the definition of hate speech and incitement to violence, and tighten the country’s gun laws. Sajid Akram — who was shot dead by police during the attack — had been a licensed member of a shooting club, and his son Navid, who is in hospital after being seriously wounded, had practised shooting at it.

Yesterday — the last day of the Jewish Hanukkah festival — Australia held a National Day of Reflection in honour of the massacre’s victims.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.