In a significant protest in Brisbane, Queensland, about 300 pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied against the state government's ban on the phrases 'from the river to the sea' and 'globalise the intifada'. The government implemented this ban in February, claiming it was necessary to combat antisemitism, a stance supported by conservative Jewish groups. However, critics argue that this conflates legitimate criticism of Israel with hatred towards Jews. During the protest, 20 individuals were arrested for chanting the banned phrases, with charges including displaying and reciting prohibited expressions. The Queensland police reported that the protest remained largely peaceful. The protest followed a flashmob performance of John Farnham's song, which includes the lyric 'like a river to the sea', where no arrests were made. This incident reflects ongoing tensions surrounding freedom of speech and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In light of similar sentiments, New South Wales is also considering a ban on the same phrases, despite facing backlash. Premier Chris Minns confirmed the pursuit of this legislation, emphasizing the perceived hateful nature of the phrases.