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New legislation will be introduced this week in the Australian state of Queensland to criminalize antisemitic chants and expand bans on terrorist symbols, following sustained calls from the Jewish community for stronger legal protections.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli announced the reform package on Sunday. If passed, Queensland will become the first Australian state to outlaw the slogans “Globalize the Intifada” and “From the river to the sea.” Chanting or displaying either phrase would constitute a criminal offense, punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment.
Criminal Penalties for Extremist Slogans and Symbols
The legislation also strengthens existing prohibitions on terrorist symbols. It raises the maximum penalty for displaying such symbols from six months to two years in prison.
The expanded ban will explicitly cover symbols associated with designated terrorist organizations, including the flags or emblems of Hamas, Islamic State, and Hezbollah, as well as Nazi symbols.
The reforms aim to curb the public display of extremist imagery that contributes to the normalization of antisemitism.
The legislation also introduces enhanced protections for religious life. It increases penalties for assaulting or threatening a person officiating a religious ceremony, raising the maximum sentence from two years to five.
New offenses will criminalize harassment or obstruction of people attending religious services, carrying penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment. The legislation also creates a specific offense for willful damage to a place of worship, with penalties of up to seven years in prison.
If approved by Parliament, the legislation will establish a national precedent, positioning Queensland at the forefront of efforts in Australia to confront antisemitic incitement and extremist glorification through criminal law.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
