Credit: Matt Golding
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Inaction is consent
On reading the article on East Jerusalem “There’s nothing the world can do about it” (12/7) I couldn’t stop thinking about the words of the man who watched his home be flattened: “They are trying to break people, they want us to be nothing.”
It stayed with me, not just because of its heartbreak, but of how those words contrasted with the voices of those working to make that outcome a reality.
Australian-Israeli settler Daniel Luria, who proudly leads Ateret Cohanim’s efforts to evict Palestinians and “reclaim” homes, denies that Palestinians even exist as a people. They are “illegal squatters”; he praises the use of courts to transfer land, and describes his mission as one of national rebirth.
This is a slow-motion war, and it is being waged with bulldozers and land deeds instead of bombs.
Australia recognises these settlements as illegal. So why is our outrage so well-mannered?
I don’t know what the world will do. But I know inaction is a form of consent.
Fernanda Trecenti, Fitzroy
Treading carefully
Our leaders will have to tread carefully in considering any implementation of the points raised in Jillian Segal’s antisemitism plan (Editorial, 12/7).
The risk here is that a misjudged implementation of such strong measures carries a strong risk of hindering rather than enhancing our quest for continued cultural unity and understanding, which is one of the successful hallmarks of Australian society.
Perhaps most difficult of all will be our achieving a better national understanding of the appallingly tragic Gazan situation beginning with an acceptance of the fact that it is this which in large measure lies at the heart of our destabilising antisemitism and Islamophobia.
What is needed now is a better understanding of extremism and moderation on all sides in the Middle East – and the problematic role of the West in the Middle East so ably written about by highly regarded British journalist, the late Robert Fisk.
So, we must tread carefully here, favouring educative understanding over punitive coercion lest the cure prove to be as bad – or worse – than the complaint.
Terry Hewton, Henley Beach South, SA
Violence no answer
The treatment of non-Jewish residents in East Jerusalem is one ongoing issue within an intractable problem of history, religion and politics. Leaders of Israel and many other countries, plus organisations like Hamas and the PLO, have not done all they could to reach a compromise solution.
Jerusalem, a Holy City for Jews, Muslims and Christians, should be under international governance, protecting access for all. A vote on this special status for Jerusalem, was passed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1947, within a two-state solution.
It might not be accepted by the extremists on either side, but there is no realistic alternative. Neither side can ″win″ this forever war with more violence.
John Hughes, Mentone
Gift status at risk
Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal has recommended to the government that deductible gift status should be removed from charitable organisations that promote antisemitism.
Amnesty International Medecins Sans Frontieres, and Human Rights Watch have all published lengthy reports finding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Given Segal’s adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism that conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism, the deductible gift status of these independent organisations would be at risk if the government adopted Segal’s recommendation.
Angela Smith, Clifton Hill
Echoes of Trumpism
I consider it unconscionable even to propose, let alone impose, the defunding of universities that have difficulty dealing with student protests on campus, such as those we’ve seen in connection with Israel and Gaza. That is the kind of threat that Donald Trump has actually carried out against Harvard University, and its ultimate effect is to stifle free speech and legitimate protest.
I’m also troubled by the woolly definition of antisemitism that is before the federal government. If I criticise Israel’s current prime minister or his government, my views may well be shared by around half of Israel’s own citizens. But in Australia I may risk being accused of denigrating a ″Jewish individual″ (Benjamin Netanyahu) and a ″Jewish community institution″ (his government), and find myself in court trying to explain that my criticism was not directed at their being Jewish as such.
If we cannot criticise Israel’s government or its policies without being called antisemitic, we may as well sign up to Trumpism at once.
Anthea Hyslop, Eltham
Moral equation
I am about to turn 81 and one of my earliest memories is listening to the news on 3LO. Dad would tell us to be quiet so that every word could be heard.
I have continued to listen, watch and read the world news ever since.
But now I am finding it impossible to do so. Antisemitism, the bombing of innocents, starvation of a population just go around in circles every day. Of course, it is necessary to remain acutely aware of the Holocaust but that doesn’t mean atrocities can occur in Gaza. Two wrongs never did make a right.
Libby Gillingham, Outtrim
Skills v age
Why are the skills of all older drivers called into question whenever an older person is involved in a serious accident?
Why is their age reported as the main issue? Most serious accidents involve young or middle-aged drivers. Their age is never mentioned as a factor.
Driving skill should be the main issue, not age. Irresponsible and high-risk driving behaviour is much more likely to be found among younger drivers or those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Monash University Accident Research Centre figures show that accident rates in states with tighter regulations on older drivers were no different to Victoria’s. In fact, Victoria has the second lowest accident rate in Australia.
Jill Edwards, Camberwell
Checking the elderly
As the daughter of my then obstinate 90-year-old mother, I could not reason with her to stop driving.
While I pleaded with her GP to report my mother to VicRoads, she refused saying she “would not be the one to incur her wrath”.
Eventually, when my mother insisted on driving herself to her aged care home, we then seized her car keys.
The state government must act to ensure elderly drivers are regularly checked – and to help families have that conversation with their parents.
I worried every time my mother was behind the wheel and so frustrated that there was nothing I could do about it.
Sally Davis, Malvern East
Xi, this is good
How good to see that Anthony Albanese will have a face-to-face meeting with China’s Xi Jinping before he has one with Donald Trump. Maybe the world order is changing and China is assuming more importance than the US. But be careful Albanese, we still need the US as a security blanket.
John Walsh, Watsonia
Just football, thank you
How lovely to watch the football without intrusive signage. Thank you People First Stadium management. Footy fans will thank you. Take note MCG and Marvel.
Helen Tait, Blackburn North
Pies got the blues
Poor old Collingwood have come down with a bad case of Carlton.
Ken Richards, Elwood