What 'from the river to the sea' actually means and why QLD wants to ban it | ABC News In-depth

Key Concepts

• “From the River to the Sea”: A phrase referencing the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, with contested interpretations ranging from Palestinian liberation to the elimination of Israel.
• Palestinian Self-Determination: The right of the Palestinian people to freely determine their political status and pursue their own economic, social, and cultural development.
• Anti-Semitism: Hostility to, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews.
• Hate Speech: Expression that attacks or demeans a group based on attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
• Menace, Harassment, Offense (Queensland Legislation): Legal standards used to define prohibited speech under the proposed Queensland laws.
• Intifada: Arabic for "uprising," referring to Palestinian revolts against Israeli occupation.

Historical Context & Interpretations of “From the River to the Sea”

The phrase “from the river to the sea” refers to the geographical area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, a region central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its usage dates back decades, appearing in rhetoric from both sides. In the 1960s, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) employed the phrase advocating for a state encompassing historic Palestinian territories, effectively superseding Israel. Conversely, in the late 1970s, the Likud Party (currently led by Benjamin Netanyahu) used the same phrase, asserting “Between the Sea and the Jordan, there will only be Israeli sovereignty.” This early usage often envisioned a single state solution.

Today, the meaning is highly contested. Palestinian activist groups, such as the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network, present it as a call for Palestinian self-determination and an end to violence, advocating for equal treatment for all groups, not expulsion of Jewish people. They emphasize it represents a desire for freedom from Israeli military rule. However, Australia’s peak Jewish body views the phrase as hate speech, interpreting it as a call for the dismantling of Israel and the forced removal of Jews. This interpretation is linked to Hamas’s inclusion of the phrase in its charter, an organization Australia recognizes as a terrorist organization.

The Queensland Legislation & National Context

Proposed legislation in Queensland aims to criminalize the public use of “from the river to the sea” if it causes menace, harassment, or offense, carrying a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. The legislation also prohibits the recitation or display of the phrase “globalized the intifada,” labeling both as “terrorist slogans.” This legislative push follows the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and subsequent calls from Jewish community groups for stronger action against anti-Semitism.

The Council for Civil Liberties summarized the core disagreement, stating, “Many Jewish people would say it means wiping Israel from the map… Other people would say it’s a criticism of the way Israel has conducted themselves in Gaza and in the West Bank well before October 2023 and after.”

At the national level, Australia passed its toughest federal hate speech laws in January, reflecting a broader national conversation. The Queensland legislation, alongside these federal changes, highlights the ongoing struggle to balance freedom of speech and the freedom to protest with the need to protect groups from hatred.

Legal Definitions & Implications

The Queensland legislation specifically targets the use of the phrase when it causes “menace, harassment or offense.” These terms are legally defined and will be crucial in determining whether a violation has occurred. The inclusion of “offense” as a trigger for criminalization is particularly noteworthy, as it introduces a subjective element into the legal standard.

Data & Research Findings

The video references Australia’s recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization, which informs the interpretation of the phrase by some Jewish groups. The passing of the “toughest federal hate speech laws in Australia’s history” in January serves as a data point illustrating the increasing legislative focus on hate speech in the country.

Notable Quotes

• Council for Civil Liberties President: “Many Jewish people would say it means wiping Israel from the map… Other people would say it’s a criticism of the way Israel has conducted themselves in Gaza and in the West Bank well before October 2023 and after.”

Synthesis & Conclusion

The debate surrounding the phrase “from the river to the sea” exemplifies the deeply entrenched and complex nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The proposed legislation in Queensland, and the broader national conversation in Australia, underscores the challenges of navigating freedom of speech, legitimate criticism of political actions, and the prevention of hate speech. The contested interpretations of the phrase, coupled with its historical context and current political climate, necessitate careful consideration of the legal and social implications of criminalizing its use. The core takeaway is that the phrase is not inherently hateful, but its impact and interpretation are highly subjective and dependent on individual perspectives and historical understanding.