I stand with Jews but marches must continue

Credit: Badiucao

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ANTISEMITISM

While The Age’s editorial, “Sunday’s Gaza protest a glaring example of tone-deaf intransigence” (7/7), denigrates Sunday’s pro-Palestine rally as disrespectful and inappropriate: “Yesterday, of all days they should have paused”, the genocide in Gaza intensifies.
I, too, deplore the recent events in Melbourne involving arson and the destruction of property and stand with the Jewish community at this time.
However, I strongly believe that the continuation of peaceful protest against the atrocities being perpetrated by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank is more important than ever.
Just when I thought I could take no more, this morning I watched footage on the ABC (7/7) of amputees in Gaza, including children, who are having more and more of their bodies amputated, bit by bit, due to the poor conditions and lack of medical aid causing infection. The appalling suffering of the people of Gaza is inhumane and barbaric.
All people of good conscience must stand up to end this horror.
Jody Ellis, Thornbury

Excusing antisemitism is antisemitic
The attitudes expressed in your correspondent’s letter (″⁣Violence is counterproductive″⁣, 7/7) are part of the problem. She condemned Friday night’s antisemitic violence not because it is immoral and rips at the fabric of our multicultural society, but because it is counterproductive to the Palestinian cause.
Then, she falsely claims that antisemitism is weaponised by Israel’s supporters. This is not true. Those of us who support Israel accept that criticism of Israel, the same as could be made of any other country, is not antisemitic.
Claims such as hers seek to excuse actual antisemitism and are also arguably antisemitic themselves.
They suggest those sneaky Zionists, mainly Jews, are fraudulently claiming antisemitism to prevent supposedly legitimate criticism of Israel.
And then, to round it off, she has an unfair swipe at Israel, when it’s the demonisation of Israel that motivated Friday night’s violence.
Robbie Gore, Brighton East

Protest and violent acts elsewhere conflated
Your July 7 editorial unfairly equates a peaceful protest calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza with unrelated and condemnable criminal acts that occurred two days prior. This conflation is not only inaccurate but dangerous, as it misrepresents a movement grounded in non-violence, solidarity, and international law.
For nearly two years, people from diverse backgrounds have gathered weekly in Melbourne to call for justice, not to incite division.
To suggest that Palestinians and their supporters should remain silent out of fear of “offending Australian values” is to ignore the very essence of those values – democracy, free expression, and standing against injustice.
The real issue is not protest slogans, but the ongoing Israeli bombardment of civilians, including children, in breach of international law. To frame those opposing war crimes as tone-deaf is to deflect from the true horrors unfolding in Gaza, enabled by Western governments, including our own.
Blaming protesters for the actions of a few criminals is irresponsible and stifles legitimate dissent. Now, more than ever, we must amplify, not silence, voices for peace, justice, and accountability.
Ezzat Hijazi, Revesby, NSW

When moral authority of protest is lost
Any slogan or chant that includes the cry of ″⁣death to″⁣ delegitimises the moral authority of the protest, the protester, and the cause being advocated for, and unleashes and reinforces the very violence and hatred that lies at the heart of the antagonism in dispute.
Harry Zable, Campbells Creek

Performative attacks
Tony Wright nails it - again (“Thugs who perform violence over distant atrocities have no place here”, 6/7). There is no doubt that individuals and groups in both Israel and Gaza have committed horrendous atrocities but violent and disruptive protests and attacks on places of worship or businesses in Australia will change absolutely nothing in the Middle East.
Do the protesters really think Netanyahu or Hamas have the slightest interest in the opinions or actions of Australian protesters?
The only consequence of these performative, and often criminal, actions is to cause pain and division in Australian society. Surely, the better way, the Australian way, is to demonstrate that people of different faiths and different views can live harmoniously and respectfully together.
April Baragwanath, Geelong

THE FORUM

Greed festers abuse
Adele Ferguson’s article ″⁣Childcare horrors are shocking, but they’re no surprise to me″⁣, (4/7) rendered me speechless with shock, anger and shame that our culture is so depraved that money is desired above community, and the greed for it festers such alleged disgusting treatment of our children?
Our government must establish a royal commission to identify how to purge these despicable practices. As Ferguson highlights, we addressed the corruption in our banks, it’s time to do the same for the care of our children.
David Marshall, West Brunswick

More robust checks
With growing concern about the effectiveness of working with children checks, it’s time to consider a few simple changes that could significantly improve the system and better protect our children.
Firstly, each application should include both a personal and professional reference. This would add a layer of community accountability and help identify concerns not evident in police records.
Secondly, the system should be linked in real time to the national criminal offender registry. This would ensure that anyone currently involved in criminal activity is flagged immediately, and it would also deter unsuitable applicants.
Thirdly, we must move to a fully national system. As it stands, people can bypass checks simply by crossing state borders. Finally, integrating the working with children check into a national teacher registration process would streamline compliance, reduce duplication, and cut costs while enhancing safety for all.
The safety of children must be paramount. These steps are practical, achievable, and long overdue.
Lawry Mahon, Port Fairy

Can’t trust US
Sussan Ley’s criticism of Prime Minister Albanese’s John Curtin memorial speech was all too predictable (“Ley pulls up Albanese for asserting independence”, 7/7). Her remarks show that she is an unapologetic adherent to the orthodox Liberal Party mindset that demands unquestioning allegiance to the American alliance. Her stated aim to “modernise” the Liberal Party’s policies obviously does not include any intelligent interrogation of the very serious problems now confronting the ANZUS alliance, much less the problematic AUKUS deal.
Lest we forget, it was successive Liberal PMs who insisted that Australia meekly follow the US into all its wars post-1945, none of which ever achieved its objectives. But all of those futile conflicts cost Australia dearly, especially in terms of soldiers being wounded – physically and mentally – and those who lost their lives. Albanese’s recalling of John Curtin’s assertion of Australia’s independence in World War II, in the face of fierce opposition from Churchill and Roosevelt, is a sign that Australians may be waking up to the fact that the US is not a trustworthy ally.
We need less of Ms Ley’s timorous commentary on foreign and defence policy and more robust conversations about how Australia can build an independent future for itself in its region.
Allan Patience, Newport

Teaching skills
Re ″⁣Teachers exploiting loophole to work in classrooms without minimum qualifications″⁣, (7/7). As a teacher who completed his one-year graduate diploma of education in the 1990s, I wholeheartedly support Western Australia’s move to re-introduce these to fill classroom vacancies.
It should be remembered that in order to be eligible to enrol in this course, applicants were required to hold a four-year degree in another discipline. So, these graduates are hardly ″⁣underqualified″⁣. Many of the teachers I graduated with also brought many years of practical experience in the real world.
My background as a finance manager enabled me countless opportunities to link classroom learning e.g. mathematics, with common, practical situations faced by people e.g. running a business.
A one-year course also ensured that only the essential teaching knowledge and skills were covered and mastered. And that HECS debt was kept to a minimum.
In teaching, qualifications are only part of equation. Just because you hold a master’s degree, does not mean you will be a good teacher. People often forget that it is a vocation requiring a myriad of personal skills to be combined to ensure that students can achieve their differing potential
Greg Hansford, Newborough

More training needed
I taught in and co-ordinated a diploma of education program for graduates. Our key programs were for mathematics, physics, chemistry and PE teachers, all in short supply then, as now. I once asked our students how many would be there if it were a two-year program. About half put up their hands.
The requirement for two-year teacher qualifications, at a time when school enrolments were about to undergo a significant increase, was a policy disaster. It was caused by two factors.
The first was a belief by governments that increased time in schools would produce better graduates. However, supervised teaching with the classroom teacher sitting at the back of the room is very different to being in a classroom by yourself. The second was the backing of education faculties that benefited financially.
When two-year qualifications were mooted, I argued that the DipEd programs be left alone. I also suggested that these graduates be offered another year to find out what would help them be better teachers. So, a teacher in their first year is given mathematics classes, a subject they are not qualified to teach. They find they enjoy it but struggle with content and pedagogy. Where are the programs and support for them to become a qualified teacher of mathematics?
And to all the teachers out there with ″⁣just″⁣ a DipEd, carry on with the wonderful work you are doing.
Jan Thomas, North Melbourne

Kangaroo courts
Your correspondent (Letters, 5/7) thinks it would be a good idea for Australia to emulate the US model and have judicial appointments made by voters.
Apparently, that would make judges “reflect public opinion”. Thankfully, that’s not how our judicial system, or indeed our democracy works.
It’s for politicians to reflect public opinion by making laws that we find acceptable. The role of the judiciary is to interpret and apply those laws, not to make decisions on legal matters based on how they think people might feel about those decisions.
Take the US path, and we really will have kangaroo courts in Australia.
Brandon Mack, Deepdene

Perfect French
As I drive through the Mornington Peninsula, avoiding what seems like a pothole every one or two hundred metres, I ponder the road surfaces as seen when watching the Tour de France. The surfaces seem perfect without the need for cyclists to take avoidance measures. Perhaps, the state government could sponsor a Victorian or two, to travel to France to learn how quality road surfaces are made and secured.
Bruce Love, East Melbourne

Art appreciation, quietly
After attempting to view the French Impressionism exhibition at the NGV over the weekend, I propose that art galleries ban photography within exhibitions.
Art lovers should be encouraged to immerse themselves fully in the works on display, not be distracted by the compulsion to document them. If visitors want an image of a piece, they can buy the exhibition catalogue or find the artwork online later.
Having people stand in front of masterpieces with their phones held aloft like praying mantises, clicking and recording, disrupts the experience for those of us who simply want to appreciate the art in peace.
Let’s bring back the quiet contemplation that galleries are meant to inspire.
Lisa Anderson, Glen Iris

Farewell Neighbours
When my Aussie wife and I (an American) lived in London (1999-2002) we started watching Neighbours nightly without fail. She had lived away from Melbourne in various countries since 1980, and we had regularly visited Australia together since 1991. After many years away from Australia, my wife was delighted to discover a little taste of Melbourne on British TV. We moved here in 2008, and we started watching it again and have enjoyed it greatly as if we’d never missed an episode, even though there had been a gap of six years. We are sad to see it go and hope there will be another rebirth some day.
Tony Bell, Christmas Hills

Split the league
It’s time for the AFL to split the league into a division 1 and division 2 with a relegation system. Each team would play each other twice before the top four teams in each division played in the finals.
To make it even more interesting, maybe the grand finalist in division 2 would have to play the bottom two teams in division 1 for the right to be raised to division 1.
Paul Chivers, Box Hill North

AND ANOTHER THING

Credit: Matt Golding

Trump world
A billionaire with his own political party (″⁣Musk declares new America Party ‘is formed’ after Trump’s bill passes″⁣, 7/7). Can you trump that?
Scott Poynting, Newtown, NSW

Re creating a new political party: Clive Palmer should watch how Elon Musk does it.
Ian Powell, Glen Waverley

Eighty people swept to their death in Texas but never mind: President Trump will ″⁣drill, baby, drill″⁣ for oil and gas.
Ian Bayly, Upwey

I love the way when Trump signs something and his cohorts applaud him as if they are relieved he can still sign his name.
Susan Munday, Bentleigh East

Furthermore
The irony of Netanyahu demanding the Australian government take action to deal with rioters for the attempted arson on a synagogue and an attack on an Israeli restaurant, while he continually attacks Palestine and commits genocide against its people.
Julie Ottobre, Brunswick East

I do not deny recent articles concerning the treatment of women in the ADF (″⁣The horrors of being a woman in the ADF″⁣. 7/7), nevertheless I wish to recognise that during four years in the Navy, 1952-1956, was I treated with nothing other than respect by my male colleagues.
Christine Barnes, Glen Iris

Today is the 20th anniversary of the London 7/7 bomb attacks (‴⁣⁣If I could have amnesia, I would’: The horror day that left 52 dead in London″⁣, 7/7). If everybody lived with the courage, drive and pristine lack of resentment and self-pity that the South Australian survivor, Gill Hicks, demonstrates, the world would be so much better.
Meg McPherson, Brighton

Finally
Elwood the cat must be feline much better now that he’s been returned to Epworth hospital (‴⁣⁣We love you, Elwood’: Fans rejoice at return of stolen hospital cat”, 7/7). After all, he is the head of security.
Robin Jensen, Castlemaine

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