Western Governments Accused of Criminalizing Pro-Palestinian Protest
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A new report alleges a concerted effort by governments in the West to suppress dissent and support for Palestinian rights, utilizing counter-terrorism legislation and concerns over antisemitism as justification. The study, released by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), focuses on the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany, raising concerns about a worrying trend toward the normalization of restrictions on fundamental freedoms.
The FIDH report, based on open-source research, firsthand accounts, and reports from international organizations, arrives shortly after a US-sponsored agreement facilitated a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, and the liberation of thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. However, the research – conducted between October 2023 and September 2025 – suggests that even amidst diplomatic progress, the space for peaceful protest remains severely constricted.
“This trend reflects a worrying shift towards the normalisation of exceptional measures in dealing with dissenting voices,” stated Yosra Frawes, head of the Maghreb and Middle East desk at FIDH. The report contends that governments have “weaponized” existing laws to stifle pro-Palestinian demonstrations, effectively chilling free speech.
UK Under Scrutiny for Anti-Protest Measures
The report is particularly critical of the British government’s approach, asserting that restrictions on the right to protest have been consistent “across administrations and party lines.” It highlights the 2024 anti-protest legislation enacted by the Conservative government, which was later deemed unlawful, and accuses the subsequent Labour government of continuing to justify support for Israel while simultaneously “pushing to legitimise Israel’s genocidal violence.”
Statements from former Tory Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who labeled pro-Palestine demonstrations “hate marches,” are cited as contributing to a narrative that stigmatizes support for Palestine and potentially discriminates against Muslims and other marginalized groups. The shift to a Labour government in July 2024, the report claims, brought “little to change official government narratives,” with continued association of criticism of Israel with “violent antisemitism.”
Recent government figures corroborate a rise in hate crimes. Data shows hate crimes against Muslims have increased by nearly a fifth in the UK, following a 73% surge in Islamophobic assaults during 2024. While acknowledging an increase in antisemitic incidents as well – leading to heightened concerns within the Jewish community, including following an attack at a Manchester synagogue earlier this month – the report argues that the response has been disproportionately focused on suppressing pro-Palestinian expression.
In response to concerns about rising antisemitism and inflammatory rhetoric at pro-Palestinian marches, the Labour government has proscribed Palestine Action and proposed expanding police powers during protests. While condemning anti-Muslim hate crimes, community leaders have criticized the government’s response as inadequate. Last week, Labour leader Keir Starmer’s call to cancel demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the October 7th attack drew criticism from organizers, who accused him of conflating the actions of Israel with Jewish people globally.
Repression Across Europe and the US
The report emphasizes that these trends are not isolated to the UK. In the United States, pro-Palestinian activism has faced arrests, legal challenges, and escalating threats. In France, the government has been accused of suppressing solidarity with Palestinians, including banning demonstrations in certain cities and dissolving the pro-Palestinian human rights collective Urgence Palestine.
Germany, grappling with its historical responsibility for the Holocaust, has also faced criticism. Tactics employed by police during pro-Palestinian rallies have been described as excessive, and the banning of certain slogans under the guise of combating antisemitism has been widely disputed.
Recommendations for Reform
The FIDH report proposes several key reforms. For the UK, it recommends establishing an independent body to oversee policing during demonstrations and revising the Terrorism Act 2000 to exclude political opinions and solidarity slogans. It also calls for the repeal of section 11 of the Public Order Act 2023, which permits suspicionless stop and searches during protests.
The report concludes that the crackdown on solidarity with Palestinians reveals a “profound crisis, not only of human rights in the occupied territories but of freedom itself, in societies that claim to be democratic.” It suggests that the restrictions on protest represent a broader erosion of civil liberties and a troubling trend toward the suppression of dissenting voices.
