Australia’s post-Bondi crackdown accused of targeting pro-Palestinian voices
Al Jazeera
Fear for future of peaceful protest in Australia, while some say Jewish community being prioritised over others.
Melbourne – Human rights groups have slammed the Australian government’s new “hate speech” laws, saying they will have a “chilling effect” on those who support the Palestinian cause.
Most recently, two activists were arrested and charged for chanting the slogan “From the river to the sea”, a phrase that, along with “Globalise the Intifada”, is now illegal in Australia’s northern state of Queensland.
Anyone arrested under the new law is faced with a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.
Rushed through the New South Wales federal parliament after an attack on a Jewish celebration in Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December, which killed 15 people, the new laws operate at both federal and state jurisdictions and specifically target speech considered anti-Semitic.
Arif Hussein, senior lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre in the New South Wales capital, Sydney, told Al Jazeera the legislation could be used to suppress legitimate criticism of Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Empty streets expose another crisis as Filipinos battle soaring oil prices, dwindling incomes and a stagnating economy.
Tariff wars smashed old system, but failure to agree on reforms could see ‘some people writing a new rulebook’.
Rescue operation recovers 266 survivors as UN warns deadliest season on the route is just beginning.
Lebanon’s PM warns Israeli actions and statements threaten Lebanese sovereignty and violate international law.
Court dismissed xAI claim that measures were taken after plaintiff produced video of nude person shortly before hearing.
Judge Hellerstein declined to dismiss the case against Maduro but questioned US prosecutors about his access to defence.
