Akerman: Labor is appeasing terrorists to pander to Muslim voters. Doc Evatt would have been appalled
As the anniversary of the murder, rape and kidnapping of Israelis by Hamas nears, the Labor government has pandered to Muslims and shunned the Middle East’s only democratic state, writes Piers Akerman.
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Albanese government’s policy of appeasing terrorists and claiming some equivalence between Israel’s legitimate defensive strategy and Islamist terrorism has destroyed Australia’s right to claim any moral superiority.
The taking of hostages has a long history but the murder of hostages has always been regarded as heinous.
As we approach the first anniversary of the murder, rape, torture and kidnapping of innocent young Israelis at a music festival by Hamas troops and Gazan civilians, the Labor government has pandered to Muslims in a handful of electorates and shunned the only democratic state in the Middle East with which we share social justice values – Israel.
It is not only a democracy. It is muti-racial, its parliament contains representatives from most of the world religions, and there is no discrimination against any religion.
That the armies of Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq attacked Israel on May 14, 1948, immediately after the UN recognised the fledgling nation, is a matter of record, as is their humiliating defeat.
What is largely forgotten and certainly not taught in Islamic schools in Australia is that our nation supported Israel’s bid for nationhood, and Labor legend Herbert Vere “Doc” Evatt was it greatest champion.
With the world awash with stateless people following WWII, a special UN agency was created to care for those Arabs who voluntarily fled Israel when the armies of their coreligionists attempted to wipe it out at birth.
The UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, came into being in 1950 and is now one of the UN’s largest bodies, though few of those who left Israel are still alive. It has become a monstrosity responsible, with the terrorist groups it has supported, for the misery that afflicts those who now call themselves Palestinians.
Employees of Hamas-infiltrated UNRWA took part in the October 7 invasion of the Nova music festival. Some kept hostages in their homes, others hid Hamas infrastructure under schools, hospitals and mosques.
The Abbott Coalition government cut funding to UNRWA because of its appalling record. The Albanese government not only resumed funding, but Foreign Minister Penny Wong doubled it in September 2022 from $10m to $20m.
In case Muslim voters in Blaxland, a seat held by Education Minister Jason Clare, and Watson, held by Immigration Minister Tony Burke, missed the point, the government the next month reversed Australia’s recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Jerusalem was the capital of a Jewish state as early as 3000BC. Labor dismissed 5000 years of history to placate Muslims and Green voters.
In August 2023, Wong announced Australia was officially recognising the West Bank and Gaza as “occupied Palestinian territories”, rather than “occupied territories”.
Two months after the October 7 massacre, Australia supported the UN General Assembly resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire which would have permitted Hamas to rearm without returningany of the hostages.
Wong also suggested Australia recognise a Palestinian state before a two-state peace deal is signed (not that there is any likelihood of such a deal being agreed).
In May, Australia supported a UN General Assembly resolution calling on the Security Council to grant full membership to Palestine, a state which has never existed.
Finally, last month, the government admitted Gazans arriving in Australia had been fast-tracked without the standard security screening process.
Albanese and Wong have trashed Evatt’s legacy and Australia’s reputation for fairness and honesty and, in siding with UNRWA, have blood on their hands.
Got a news tip? Email weekendtele@news.com.au
More Coverage
Weakness allows hate to surge among us
As a free nation, we simply cannot continue to allow our streets to be controlled, and people’s lives to be disrupted, by thuggish activists who hate our country, writes Peta Credlin.
How weak government is letting discord fester
The lack of leadership from the Albanese government has created unprecedented social division and discord, eroding the authority of federal and state law enforcement, writes Piers Akerman.