A group of pro-Palestinian protesters has launched a High Court challenge against Queensland's hate speech laws that ban the phrases "from the river to the sea" and "globalise the intifada." These phrases, commonly used by pro-Palestinian activists, have been deemed antisemitic by the government and various Jewish organizations and are outlawed when used to menace or offend individuals.

Since the laws took effect in March 2026, more than 20 people have been charged under them. Among the challengers, four signatories—Stephen Werner Heydet, Edward Joel Matthew Carroll, Katherine Mary Dennehy, and Samuel Woripa Watson—were arrested and charged under the legislation. Another applicant, James Frances Hillier, claims he was instructed to withdraw artwork containing the banned phrase after police contact.

The activists argue in their High Court filings that the legislation is invalid as it infringes on the constitutional implied freedom of political communication and causes inequality by criminalizing a particular political perspective. The filings also present 12 alternative meanings of the banned phrases.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie defended the laws in April, stating they protect against "venomous, poisonous rhetoric."

Jason Steinberg, president of the Jewish Board of Deputies, expressed that he and other Jewish Australians feel unsafe when hearing the banned slogans at rallies and protests. He noted that the High Court has already recognized Australians' implied freedom to communicate about political matters.

Constitutional law expert Anthony Gray has indicated that the High Court challenge to the state's hate speech legislation has significant prospects.

Sources