UK Government Unveils New Extremism Definition Amid Rising Hate Crimes
• The UK government has published a new definition of "extremism" in response to a rise in hate crimes following Hamas' attacks on Israel. The definition targets ideologies promoting violence, hatred, or intolerance.
• Groups meeting the new extremism definition will be prohibited from working with or receiving funding from government departments. However, the definition has no legal standing.
• The government said the new definition aims to address a 147% increase in anti-Semitic incidents and a 335% rise in anti-Muslim hate cases since the October attacks.
• Critics warn the vague definition risks threatening free speech and vilifying the wrong people, especially Muslim communities. Concerns have been raised across the political spectrum.
• The government is expected to formally name some Muslim and neo-Nazi groups as meeting the extremism definition in the coming weeks.