Queensland Police Charge 2 Under New Laws Banning ‘From the River to the Sea’ Chant

Queensland police has laid the first charges under the state’s new anti-Semitism laws, passed by parliament on March 5 following a wave of security concerns after the Bondi terrorist attack in December.

The laws ban chants such as “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada,” and introduces penalties for displaying or using certain extremist symbols and expressions.

On March 11, a Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokesperson confirmed two people had been charged following an unauthorised protest in Brisbane’s CBD.

“Shortly after 12.30 p.m., officers arrested a 33-year-old man at Speakers Corner,” the spokesperson said.

“Officers later arrested an 18-year-old woman at King George Square.”

Footage shows the woman was wearing a shirt with the words: From the river to the sea.

Police allege both individuals used prohibited expressions under the new laws.

The man was issued a notice to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on April 8. The woman was dealt with by way of adult caution.

Police say investigations remain ongoing.

What the Laws Introduce

The state’s landmark legislation, introduced in response to the Bondi terror attack on Dec. 14, strengthens protection for places of worship, increases penalties for displaying terrorist symbols and phrases, cracks down on drive-by shootings, and tightens rules around firearms misuse and 3D printed weapons.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said the reforms drew a “clear line” against anti-Semitism in Queensland.

“With the passage of this legislation, we are strengthening protections for the Jewish community and sending a clear message that hatred and intimidation have no place in our great state,” she said in a statement last week.

“These targeted reforms reinforce our commitment to protecting all Queenslanders, supporting vulnerable communities, and ensuring Queensland remains a safe, inclusive state for everyone.”

Jewish Groups Respond

Jewish groups, including the Australian Jewish Association, say chants such as “globalise the intifada” promote violence against Jews, while “from the river to the sea” has also been interpreted by some as calling for the elimination of the state of Israel.

Labor’s shadow police spokesman Glenn Butcher criticised the Liberal National Party reforms, saying they were too tough on freedom of speech while being too soft on gun control.

“We believe in freedom of speech, we believe in gun reform laws, and we believe that more work needs to be done on strengthening vilification and hate speech laws in this parliament,” he told media.

Chanting the prohibited phrases in Queensland can result in a maximum prison term of two years.