Relentless intransigence the real reason for conflict in Middle East

Louise Adler writes much about her education (“Things I’ve learnt you can’t ask about Israel”, September 21). It’s unfortunate that education didn’t extend to the real reasons for the lack of Israeli/Palestinian peace, the relentless Palestinian intransigence that has seen them reject several peace initiatives including generous offers of statehood alongside Israel and, indeed, consistently refuse to negotiate in good faith. She should also learn the following. All Israeli citizens have equal democratic rights, regardless of their religion or ethnicity, and today’s modern Israel is far more egalitarian than what she saw over 50 years ago. The only reason Gaza is blockaded is that its Hamas rulers have been conducting terror attacks against Israel since Israel’s unilateral withdrawal in 2005. Even then, thousands of Palestinians were entering Israel daily most of the time, and Gaza also has a border with Egypt. Comparing Gaza to the Holocaust is obscene, and amounts to Holocaust denial. The Nazis tried to kill every Jew. Israel targets only terrorists while evacuating civilians. In fact, it is Hamas, which started this war, that shares the Nazis’ genocidal aims while it sacrifices its people, as it has repeatedly made clear. Jamie Hyams, Director of Public Affairs, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, Melbourne

I wish to express unlimited gratitude for Louise Adler’s article. That it was published on the UN International Day of Peace makes it even more worthwhile. As long as exceptions are made for the actions of successive Israeli governments towards an entire dispossessed population on the basis of religious or cultural difference, and while this is normalised elsewhere including in Australia, there can be no peace in the Middle East nor anywhere in the world. My own experience of living in Israel in the late 1960s, then training in an interfaith ministry 20 years ago at a Jewish-led seminary in New York (the two experiences directly related), tell me how essential it is, as Ms Adler reminds us, to see one another as human beings first – and last. As Rabbi Hillel the Elder said nearly 2000 years ago: “Do not do to others what is hateful to you. That is the entire Torah. Go home and practise it.” Stephanie Dowrick, Pyrmont

The article written with such breathtaking clarity by Louise Adler should be recommended reading for those on both sides of the current war. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth

Whatever the reason or reasons for the indiscriminate slaughter of men, women and children discussed by Louise Adler, the inescapable fact is that the obscene level of violence being perpetrated by Israel and Hamas is, historically, not uncommon to the human condition. What is both tragic and laughable in this particular bloodbath is that both sides believe they have a “God” on their side. It would seem we have learnt little in 5000 years. Peter Thomas, Rose Bay

How important was it for Australia and the world to read the eloquent, courageous words of Louise Adler, a journalist with Jewish heritage? She is right. Many of us are thinking the same thing – that Israel’s actions in Gaza are comparable to the Nazi regime’s treatment of Jews in WWII. Yet the most insightful of Louise’s words are “Peace cannot be premised on the subjugation of a people.” Thank you, Louise. Margaret McDonald, Dubbo

“Peace cannot be premised on the subjugation of a people.” Louise AdlerCredit: Supplied

Louise Adler has expressed so simply yet profoundly the antithesis to rationale under which wars are fought: “Peace cannot be premised on the subjugation of a people”. Not only Gaza right now but also Ukraine and countless other wars. It behoves us all to spread this message far and wide. Natalie Mabbitt, Randwick

Louise Adler’s article should be compulsory reading for anyone holding a grudge. Amanda McDougall, Balgowlah

As historical injustices are perpetuated, Louise Adler issues a calm humanitarian treatise devoid of prejudice. Let us take note. Annabel Marley, Cootamundra

Louise Adler explains how it is possible for the people who suffered the oppression of the Holocaust to become the oppressors of the Palestinians in Gaza. This transition is only made possible by denying any similarity between the Holocaust and the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza. That denial “protects” the Jewish oppressors from any experience of empathy and the guilt and shame that would surely follow. Mark Porter, New Lambton

In 50 years of Herald readership, I’ve read nothing better or more balanced than Louise Adler’s piece on the victims of entrenched racism. Thank you, Sydney Morning Herald, for publishing this article and bravo Louise Adler. Jean Byrne, Eastwood

I recommend the 2022 documentary Young Plato to teachers and parents. The film is about a primary school in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The headmaster uses philosophy to guide pupils to resolve matters of conflict – insightful and very entertaining. Neil Craddock, Wollongong

Teals’ winning ticket

The teals will likely hold their seats at the next election if they stand (“The Teal Deal”, September 21). But the reasons aren’t always clear to the rest of the country. If constituents like how the teals address issues, what the rest of Australia thinks is irrelevant. The teals won over disaffected Liberal voters who, no matter how much they disliked the Morrison government’s perceived flip-flopping over climate action, could never abide Labor or the Greens. But importantly, supporters of Labor and the Greens also found the teals inoffensive, so they gave the teals their preferences. That was largely how the teals won. Now, if voters in teal seats still view the Liberals as flip-flopping over climate action the teals will win again. But other candidates who came close to unseating Liberals and National candidates in 2022 could do better. Warren Grzic, Hornsby

I was hoping to read of the significant difference the teal candidates had made in the present parliament. It seems some have trodden the same line on Gaza as the major parties, suggesting the desire to reflect the community’s values is no less a challenge for an independent. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls

Frontline furore

Nurses and midwives: where would you be without them?Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

The threat of fines for nurses and midwives striking to demand a respectable pay rise is insulting (“Nurses risk fines in 24-hour strike over pay” September 21). When I retired as a Clinical Nurse Consultant Grade 3 in 2010, I was owed 300 hours of legally documented overtime, which I never received. In hindsight, my career path would have been financially more beneficial had I become an elected politician, as I would still have my expenses paid and a chauffeur to drive me wherever I want. Joy Head, Wollstonecraft

Sirius switch benefits only rich

It’s not so much Sirius irony (“Sirius irony: Elites who have bought into former public housing block”, September 21), but a seriously predictable case of the poor losing out when it comes to having affordable housing in a too-desirable location and they haven’t the power to protect themselves against those who see it as just another moneymaking opportunity. One can only hope that the ghosts of residents past will come back to haunt those who have taken over their homes. Anne Ring, Coogee

The Sirius building: once was worthyCredit: Wolter Peeters

I was upset and highly suspicious when, a few years ago, the state government flogged off the Sirius building for a measly $150 million, having blathered on about “concrete cancer”, “deteriorating interiors”, blah, blah, and callously evicting long-term tenants. Upset then, furious now to read of the speculators and insiders who have helped themselves to the new luxurious apartments within the original brutalist structure, and are blatantly profiteering. Brutalist? Oh, yes. Kent Mayo, Uralla

The news of who’s who in the line-up for ownership recalls the opening line of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”. The Sirius building, once designed to house public residents needing a home, is now destined to be for the seriously wealthy. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why

Feel free to lose

So Peter V’landys wants to protect people’s free will to gamble and prevent a nanny state (“V’landys backs PM in sports gambling feud”, September 21). What a champion of the people. Funny he does not mention the indoctrination of kiddies, youths and adults from concerted gambling advertising. Also, would punters stop gambling if advertising was totally banned? I wouldn’t bet on that. Rest assured, community sport will continue despite the supposed “concerns” of the AFL and the NRL. Jennifer Fergus, Croydon

Gambling is a curse. It destroys families and lives. Kowtowing to vested interest groups on this issue is not an option. Their arguments are specious and totally self-serving. A ban on gambling ads is not a ban on gambling, nor is it an intrusion into people’s personal liberties. Graham Lum, North Rocks

Waste of energy

The article by Mike Foley and Nick Toscano (“The power plant at the coal face of energy transition”, September 20) shows the result of decades of dithering by our leaders regarding the transition away from fossil fuels. Not so long ago, the Coalition denied there was a need for transitioning at all. Now that the use of coal for power generation has become uncompetitive, it flicks the switch to nuclear as an option. To justify this, it has no qualms in telling fibs, such as that Germany is restarting nuclear reactors (its last three were shut down for good last year). The only calls to reopen them have come from its right-wing pollies. Dieter Stuempfl, Bonnells Bay

Hazard not reduced

Hazard burning: not good for man, beast or bushCredit: Getty

Saturday afternoon, news broke that a burn-off was “out of control” (“Out-of-control fire in Sydney’s north”, smh.com.au, September 21). Hazard reduction burning and the wanton destruction of mature tree canopies, as well as understory flora and fauna, is shameful, negligent activity disguised as necessary future bushfire mitigation. Layers of nodding authority authorise burns on days where simple increases or changes of winds then cause staggering damage. Carbon pollution is killing the planet. Hazard reduction burns are carbon pollution. John Kingsmill, Fairlight

Exclude my taxes

The amassing of riches and resources by religionistas while encouraging followers to lead a simple life is nothing new (“Behind Exclusive Brethren’s fortune”, September 21). With great nominative determinism, at least the Exclusive Brethren are keeping the riches exclusively for the brethren. But I do wish I could somehow exclude them from any taxes I must pay. Helen Lewin, Tumbi Umbi

As the scripture says in Mark 8:36, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook

Freebie heebie-jeebies

Your correspondent (Letters, September 21) endorses the Queensland government’s ultra-cheap public transport trial, which is obviously unsustainable. The financial losses are ultimately subsidised by the taxpayer. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Carmen Fenech, Frenchs Forest

Clutter-buster

Millie Muroi’s article on the circular economy (“The key to prosperity and happiness? Growing rounder”, September 21) reminds us all how we can contribute to saving our planet, by recycling, reusing and repairing, and buying only those articles that will last and that we actually need. Having worked as a volunteer in an op shop, I was amazed at the number of articles, bought at sales, never worn and with the tags still intact. Josephine Piper, Miranda

Conceptualise this

After reading Saturday’s Herald letters (September 21) on the lack of detail on the Coalition’s energy policy, are we to assume that Peter Dutton, like his American counterpart Donald Trump, has the “concept” of an energy policy? Al Clark, Belrose

“Coalition should show us numbers on nuclear” your correspondents scream. The Coalition has no intention of building any reactors. This is simply a scam to slow down the change to renewables so mining bosses keep making money. Keith Binns, Goulburn

Tupperware’s downfall

Your correspondent’s granddaughter (Letters, September 21) is in for an unhappy lesson, as her new/old plastic containers will not appreciate a ride through her dishwasher, where the high temperature will cause further deterioration. I worked as a technical service officer with a large plastics raw material supplier, including attending the Tupperware factory in eastern Melbourne, where their standards were ridiculously high. My job disappeared when China began buying large tonnages of my employer’s products at extremely low prices, with very little knowledge of the plastics industry but with government backing, rendering efficiency an unneeded word/approach. Dave Williams, Port Macquarie

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