ACTU’s anti-Israel push ignores Hamas role in the war

The chutzpah of the ACTU is staggering (“Anti-Israel ACTU stirs Jewish fury”, 23/4).

Attempting to influence government on foreign policy is way outside its remit as a union, let alone one with only 12.5 per cent workforce membership two years ago, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

It is all the worse for ignoring the fact this war was started by the most grotesque pogrom in modern times and is perpetuated by the refusal of Hamas to free the hostages, stop using civilians as human shields and lay down its arms. All civilian casualties are a result of this initial action and the continuing terrorist action of Hamas.

Andrew Weeks, Hawthorndene, SA

So the ACTU wants the Australian government to end military trade with Israel and enforce sanctions against the nation?

The ACTU demanding government do its bidding is one thing, but if there were any honesty within the ACTU the most practical action would be to direct its members to immediately resign their jobs wherever they were deemed by the ACTU to be assisting Israel. Surely it is easier for the ACTU to direct its members than to direct the government?

Geoff Ellis, Smithfield, Qld

Perhaps the ACTU president and national secretary should find out the views of rank-and-file unionists before advocating anti-Israel policy on their behalf?

Charles Stanger, Manuka, ACT

The ACTU is “owned” by its members, working Australians who pay a tax-deductible fee to be members of a union that in turn with other unions “owns” the head organisation.

The ACTU’s key responsibility is to be a mouthpiece for its members to ensure they get a better deal in the workplace. Why, then, is the ACTU getting involved in lobbying the government to support Gaza in its ongoing fight with Israel? It has absolutely nothing to do with improving workplace conditions for its membership.

Have individual members been canvassed on this matter? Indeed, most probably would not be interested. What we seem to have here is a few executives at the top using the organisation to push their own personal political views.

If this is what the ACTU wants to do, then let’s axe its tax-exempt status.

John George, Terrigal, NSW

In the years ahead, history will record the ACTU statement as, at best, misguided or, at worst, an example of pro-Hamas support bordering on propaganda.

It is incorrect to quote the figure of 33,000 deaths of civilians in Gaza as, apart from the figure being overstated, Israel has claimed that around 13,000 terrorists have been killed. The ACTU statement is more shocking in terms of what it omitted: no mention of the atrocities carried about by Hamas on October 7 and no call for hostages to be released.

It is ludicrous to demonise Israel at every opportunity and to condone and likely encourage ugly pro-Hamas demonstrations. The onus on a ceasefire is not on Israel – it has been and continues to be with Hamas, which has rejected all proposals put forward by the US and others.

If the world rewards terror with proposals for Palestinian statehood and, now, trade sanctions, atrocities will only continue. It is admirable that the ACTU supports the elusive two-state solution but the tragedy is that those acting on behalf of the Palestinians, having rejected many offers of a state since 1947, clearly prefer “river to the sea”.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW

I wonder how many unions operate in Gaza. Would they be allowed to criticise Hamas?

Could they make unfettered comments about Islam? If a union decided on a national day of action, how would Hamas react? If a union challenged Hamas on an industrial matter, what would happen to the union leaders? ACTU leaders seem to be just lefty dreamers.

Murray Horne, Cressy, Vic

When the ACTU, the Labor government’s chief backer, makes the most outrageous and baseless calls on the government to move against the interests of Israel, the only democratic, free and open country in the Middle East, you know the government is in trouble. Clearly there is a desperate need for pragmatic political leadership that represents the broad church of all Australians.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic