Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Australian State of new South Wales is proposing to ban the public display of Islamic State 15 people killed in group flags or extremist symbols after a mass shooting motivated by anti-Semitism sydneyBondi Beach.
Under draft laws being debated by the state parliament, publicly displaying the IS flag or symbols of other extremist groups would be a crime punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine.
Head of state Chris Minns also said chants of “Globalize the intifada” would be banned and police would be given greater powers to demand protesters wear face coverings at demonstrations.
“There is no place in our society for hate speech or inciting hatred,” Minns said Saturday.
The Arabic word intifada is usually translated as “rebellion”.
While pro-Palestinian protesters say the slogan reflects worldwide protests against the war in Gaza, Jewish leaders say it increases tensions and encourages attacks on Jews.
Minns told reporters, “Appallingly, recent events have shown that the slogan ‘Globalizing the Intifada’ is hate speech and incites violence in our community.” “If you’re thinking of using that phrase you’re running a very risky racket.”
New South Wales politicians are expected to debate the reforms on Monday after the Prime Minister recalled Parliament.
Police Sunday’s attack targeting Hanukkah celebrations at Australia’s most famous beach was a terrorist attack inspired by the “Islamic State” group. Police said they found two homemade IS flags in the vehicle used by the two suspects.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to introduce measures to curb radicalization and hatred, including broadening the definition of hate speech crimes for preachers and leaders who promote violence and toughening penalties for such crimes. The proposals would also designate certain groups as hateful, and allow judges to consider hatred as an aggravating factor in cases of online threats and harassment.
Albanese has also announced plans to further tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws.
The attack has raised questions about whether Australian Jews are adequately protected from rising anti-Semitism.
There are 28 million people in Australia, including approximately 117,000 Jews. Anti-Semitic incidents, including attacks, vandalism, threats and intimidation, increased more than threefold in the country during the year after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel launched a war on Hamas in Gaza in response, Jillian Segal, the government’s special envoy to combat anti-Semitism, reported in July.