Victorian Liberals pledge to ban 'globalise the intifada' if elected
Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson wants to ban the phrase 'globalise the intifada'. This would happen if her party wins the state election in November.
The phrase is used at pro-Palestine protests in Melbourne. Many in the Jewish community think it is hateful.
They see it as a call for violence. The word 'intifada' means 'shaking off' in Arabic.
It refers to times of violent Palestinian resistance. Wilson said the phrase causes real harm.
She told local radio: 'When I see these protests on the streets of Melbourne, I see these people yelling globalise the intifada, that is inciting violence against our Jewish community.' Queensland's Liberal government already passed a law banning the phrase earlier this year.
That law has faced a High Court challenge from pro-Palestinian groups.
Why it mattersThis pledge raises a question about free speech. How far do speech protections go? It gets harder when speech is called hateful or inciting. This is an active issue in Australian politics.
AustraliaIf the Liberals win, Victoria would mirror Queensland's law banning the phrase, potentially criminalising its use at Melbourne protests.
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