Queensland’s new speech law nets first Jewish psychologist charge amid 22 weekend arrests

TL;DR: Twenty‑two people were arrested over the weekend for displaying or chanting banned pro‑Palestinian phrases, raising the total arrests under Queensland’s new antisemitic speech law to 25, including a 73‑year‑old Jewish psychologist who wore a T‑shirt bearing the prohibited six‑word phrase.

Queensland introduced the law last month to curb expressions that authorities say amount to a call for genocide. The legislation lists two phrases—‘from the river to the sea’ and ‘globalise the intifada’—as proscribed when spoken in a way that could cause menace, harassment or offence. Violators face up to two years in prison.

Stephen Heydt, a 73‑year‑old Jewish clinical psychologist, said he was arrested for wearing a T‑shirt displaying the banned phrase and for using it in a speech at a Brisbane rally. He told reporters the shirt read ‘Jews for a free Palestine from the river to the sea’ and that he had it printed in Melbourne to avoid involving locals. Police confiscated the shirt and charged him with two offences, one for the garment and one for the chant.

Over the same weekend, police detained 22 people for displaying or chanting either of the two banned phrases, bringing the cumulative total under the law to 25. Among those arrested were Palestinian Australian student Zac Karaniki and activist William Sim, who said they intended to contest the charges. Premier David Crisafulli defended the law, stating it balances protest rights with banning language that constitutes a call for genocide, and linked the prohibited phrases to the 2022 Bondi terror attack.

Legal experts note the arrests mark the first enforcement of the speech ban since its passage, raising questions about the scope of permissible protest in Queensland. Civil liberties lawyer Terry O’Gorman compared the situation to police actions under former premier Joh Bjelke‑Petersen, suggesting the laws may be used to suppress dissent. Meanwhile, Jewish community leaders remain divided; some view the phrase as a terrorist slogan, while activists argue it expresses a legitimate call for Palestinian freedom.

Activist group Justice for Palestine Magan‑djin announced plans to mount a High Court challenge, claiming the law infringes the Australian constitution’s implied freedom of political communication. O’Gorman said activists have a strong case, though the outcome will depend on judicial interpretation of the balance between public safety and free expression.

Observers will watch for upcoming court filings, any amendments to the legislation, and how police apply the ban at future rallies.