LONDON (AP) 鈥 The British government published a new official definition of 鈥渆xtremism鈥 on Thursday, and said groups that get the label will be barred from receiving government funding.
The move is in response to a surge in reports of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate speech and what authorities call an increase in radicalization in Britain since Hamas鈥 Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which triggered the war and .
But critics say branding nonviolent groups as extremist could undermine freedom of speech and worship, or risk unfairly targeting some people, such as Muslims, and create more division.
The government defined extremism as 鈥渢he promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance鈥 that aims to destroy others鈥 rights and freedoms or 鈥渦ndermine, overturn or replace the U.K.'s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights.鈥
Communities Secretary Michael Gove pointed in particular to threats from the extreme right and Islamic 鈥渆xtremists who are seeking to separate Muslims from the rest of society and create division within Muslim communities.鈥
鈥淲e are in no way intending to restrict freedom of expression, religion or belief, but the government cannot be in a position where, unwittingly or not, we sponsor, subsidize or support in any way organisations or individuals opposed to the freedoms we hold dear," Gove told lawmakers.
Groups that raise concerns under the new definition include the British 好色tv Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi organization, and the Muslim Association of Britain, the U.K. affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, Gove said.
Authorities are expected to publish a list of such organizations in coming weeks. The new guidelines will not criminalize or ban the groups.
Islamic and civil liberties groups said they worried the definition would be used disproportionately on Muslims.
Qari Asim, chairman of the Mosques and Imams Advisory Board, said the proposed definition may not be applied consistently.
鈥淚f it鈥檚 left to people to apply any definition of extremism and call anyone extremist at their whim, then that is going to create huge division in our society,鈥 he told the BBC.
The Muslim Council of Britain warned that the proposals were 鈥渦ndemocratic, divisive, and potentially illegal鈥 and 鈥渕ay involve defining established Muslim organizations as extremist."
鈥淲ith elections looming, it鈥檚 unsurprising that the government is resorting to this desperate tactic in the culture war," said Zara Mohammed, the group鈥檚 secretary general.
The Church of England鈥檚 most senior clerics also criticized the government's plans, warning that the new definition of extremism threatens the right to worship and peaceful protest.
The announcement comes two weeks after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a outside 10 Downing Street to denounce 鈥渁 shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality,鈥 which he linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Reports of both antisemitic and anti-Muslim abuse in Britain have surged since Hamas鈥 Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which triggered the war and Israel鈥檚 invasion of Gaza.
have drawn hundreds of thousands of people to central London to call for a cease-fire. The protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, though there have been dozens of arrests over signs and chants that police say showed support for the militant Hamas group, a banned organization in Britain. Police also arrested some right-wing counter-protesters and charged them with inciting racial hatred.
Jewish organizations and many lawmakers say the mass marches have created an intimidating atmosphere for Jewish Londoners, though members of the Jewish community have been among those on pro-cease-fire marches.
Gove said the new definition isn't aimed at stopping protests.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 definition applies only to government and makes it clear that we will keep these organizations at arm鈥檚 length so they can鈥檛 benefit from access to government and its funds,鈥 he said.
