Dreyfus visit to Israel should not end up as a gimmick to repair ties

Despite Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry welcoming Mark Dreyfus’s impending visit to Israel to repair relations between the two countries, I suspect that many in the wider community may not share this view or Anthony Bergin’s positive perspective on it (“Dreyfus visit is no gimmick, but it must go beyond Labor PR”, 8/1).

As your editorial (“Support for Israel given the puck”, 8/1) points out, cabinet minister Dreyfus has been, at worst, complicit in the government’s hostile moves against Israel or, at best, silent when support for Israel has been sorely needed. He has been seen to be on the side where the problem lies, and not the solution.

Opposition Jewish MP Julian Leeser is closer to the mark in describing the visit as a gimmick, which smacks of a cynical, pre-election stunt that is likely to be counter-productive.

Alan Freedman, St Kilda East, Vic

Anthony Bergin is hopeful about Mark Dreyfus and Labor in his speculations on what this visit might signify.

The Albanese government’s response to the Gaza situation and the anti-Semitism in our midst shames this nation, and a reset would improve Labor’s election chances.

Julian Leeser’s scepticism is well-grounded, as the Attorney-General’s silence in the face of his government’s generally anti-Israel stance and Anthony Albanese’s ambivalence on anti-Semitism suggest at least indifference if not downright support.

This contrasts with the ALP’s Josh Burns, also Jewish, who unlike his senior colleague has made no bones about his position. An even greater contrast is Bergin’s speculation on what Peter Dutton would do to repair relations with Israel if elected to government. The very least Dreyfus could do now would be to visit the scene of the October 7 atrocity, a gesture that Penny Wong has shunned.

John Morrissey, Hawthorn, Vic

Blocking growth

Australia’s economic performance is dependent on a strong mining sector (“PM’s green tape tangle for miners”, 8/1).

Unnecessary government interference only adds to the risk and the cost of funding the development of a mine. Where does the Albanese government and the Greens and teals think revenue to fund the likes of the NDIS, to take just one example, is to come from? To make Australia a less attractive place for capital investment surely is not any part of the answer

Tony Kelly, West Melbourne, Vic

Threat to ice hockey

The decision by Ice Hockey Australia to cancel the world championship matches in Melbourne over fears Israel’s presence would pose a safety risk is deeply worrying (“‘Labor to blame’ for event demise”, 7/1).

Instead of cancelling the tournament, the state government and Victoria Police should ensure they are able to contain such risks, ensure the safety of fans and athletes, and ensure the tournament goes ahead. Otherwise any other future event, sporting or otherwise, will be at risk of cancellation should there be even the threat of protests. Protesters’ rights should not stop this great sporting event, much less disrupt the CBD every week as they have for more than a year.

Ice hockey is one of the toughest, most physical sports, yet the organisers are afraid to hold their event in Melbourne. I wonder what the players have to say. The organisers should show some backbone, stand up to the protesters and hold the tournament as planned.

Zvi Civins, Caulfield, Vic

More than unfortunate

The cancellation of the ice hockey tournament due to concerns about anti-Semitic violence is not “unfortunate”, as the Prime Minister stated.

It is a clear indication of the abject failure of the government to fulfil one of its core responsibilities: to ensure the safety of its people. The failure to recognise the seriousness of this trend and to address this ongoing decay of civil order reveals the lack of requisite action on the part of government ministers.

Andrew Weeks, Hawthorndene, SA

Tennis star’s trauma

After Novak Djokovic has spoken of the “bit of trauma” he feels when returning to Australia after being detained and deported for attempting to sidestep Australia’s Covid-19 rules three years ago, Anthony Albanese reportedly has taken this as a chance to hit out at the Coalition for its handling of the incident. This opportunistic move shows only an election desperation (“Djokovic suffers ‘traumatic stress’ after his Covid ban”, 6/1).

At the time, most Australians were against a sport celebrity-hero, no matter how famous or revered, receiving any special exemption from the Covid health laws everyone else was subject to. Does anyone recall Albo complaining back then?

Deborah Morrison, Malvern East, Vic