Australia plans tougher laws against displaying extremist flags after Bondi shooting
Global News
Australian authorities plan to ban symbols tied to extremism and certain chants after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach killed 15 people and injured many more.
The Australian state of New South Wales is proposing to ban public displays of Islamic State group flags or extremist symbols after a mass shooting driven by antisemitism killed 15 people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
Under draft laws to be debated by the state Parliament, publicly displaying the IS flag or symbols from other extremist groups will be offenses punishable by up to two years in prison and fines.
The state’s premier, Chris Minns, also said chants of “globalize the intifada” will be banned and police would be given greater powers to demand protesters remove face coverings at demonstrations.
“Hate speech or incitement of hatred has no place in our society,” Minns said Saturday.
The Arabic word intifada is translated as “uprising.”
While pro-Palestinian demonstrators say the slogan describes the worldwide protests against the conflict in Gaza, which has killed over 70,000 Palestinians, Jewish leaders say it inflames tensions and encourages attacks on Jews.
“Horrific, recent events have shown that the chant ‘globalize 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.”
New South Wales politicians are expected to debate the reforms on Monday after the premier recalled parliament.
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