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In a groundbreaking initiative, Queensland is poised to become the first Australian state to outlaw a contentious slogan associated with Palestinian liberation as part of a comprehensive effort to combat antisemitism.
If passed, the proposed legislation would specifically prohibit the phrase “from the river to the sea,” which is commonly used by pro-Palestinian advocates. This would mark a significant step in regional lawmaking.
The legislation also aims to ban the slogan “globalise the intifada.” Those found displaying or vocalizing these phrases could face a maximum prison sentence of two years under the new rules.
Furthermore, the proposed laws would impose severe penalties on individuals who display hate symbols, chant terrorist slogans, or commit acts of harassment or vandalism at places of worship, with sentences reaching up to seven years of imprisonment.
These legislative changes, set to be introduced to parliament in the coming week, follow Queensland’s decision to reject a proposed federal gun buyback scheme in the aftermath of the Bondi terror attack on December 14.
Fifteen people were killed when two alleged 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.
Jewish organisations such as the Executive Council of Australian Jewry say the phrase “rejects Israel’s right to exist and denies Jews the right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland”.
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.
The Australian Muslim Advocacy Network last year said the phrase has been “deliberately mischaracterised”, and that opens “the door for politically-driven prosecutions”.
Both chants are widely used at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Australia and other nations.
What are other states doing?
NSW is also looking to outlaw the “intifada” call, but is yet to legislate the move.
The suite of reforms was 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 antisemitism 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, it is vital for rebuilding the confidence we have lost as hatred has run rampant.”
State Opposition multicultural affairs spokesperson Charis Mullen said Labor supported “considered” laws that tackled antisemitism and it would closely examine the proposals.
The existing Queensland ban on the display of certain symbols, such as Hakenkreuz, 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.
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