A group of pro‑Palestinian protesters has taken the Queensland government to the High Court, arguing that recently introduced laws banning the phrases “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada” are unconstitutional and unlawfully restrict political communication.
The Queensland government and several Jewish organisations have labelled the phrases antisemitic, and under the March legislation it is now an offence to use them in a way that menaces, harasses or offends. Both slogans have been widely used at pro‑Palestinian rallies.
More than 20 people have been charged under the laws since they came into effect. According to High Court filings lodged last week, the activists argue the legislation is invalid because it infringes on the implied freedom of political communication in Australia’s Constitution.
Seven protesters have signed the challenge, including Remah Naji, a spokesperson for Justice for Palestine. Four of the signatories Stephen Werner Heydet, Edward Joel Matthew Carroll, Katherine Mary Dennehy and Samuel Woripa Watson were arrested and charged under the laws for allegedly displaying or speaking the banned phrases.
The Queensland government has been contacted for comment but has previously defended the legislation. In April, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the laws were necessary to counter “venomous, poisonous rhetoric.”
The case now sets up a major legal test over the balance between public safety, hate‑speech protections and political expression in Australia.
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