Fascinating story of former KGB spy

Good journalists patiently develop contacts, often coming to respect and trust them, even becoming friends. Cameron Stewart has clearly done that with a former KGB spy and has come up with a cracking exclusive (“Confessions of the KGB spy who stole Canberra’s secrets,” 10-11/2). It’s a fascinating story, not only with security implications, but human interest, a spy who came to love Slim Dusty, Bondi Beach and Australia.

John Coleman, Toowong, Qld

Yet another skirmish between our political leaders without either of them even getting sight of the higher moral ground.

M. F. Horton, Adelaide, SA

All very well for the elderly man with a poor memory in the White House to call out Israel’s actions in Gaza as “over the top”. Perhaps President Biden has forgotten that the fighting continues because Hamas is still shooting from behind human shields in Rafah. If Hamas stopped shooting, and handed over the hostages, fighting could cease.

Michael Neustein, Bondi, NSW

The American election is now a three-horse race: Donald Trump, Joe Biden and Taylor Swift.

Peter Barnes, Menai, NSW

Greens MP Mehreen Farouqi refers to the “genocide” of thousands of Gazans killed by Israel, yet we must still only imagine how she labels the killing of hundreds of thousands of Muslims by fellow Muslims in Syria and Yemen.

Michael Houldsworth, Townsville, Qld

The Weekend Australian had some brilliant commentary and journalism on the source and growth of anti-Semitism in our major cities by Gerard Henderson, Brendan O’Neill and Gemma Tognini. Why are Anthony Albanese and the premiers not taking this seriously?

Michael Adler, Mt Waverley, Vic

The publication of the Melbourne Jewish chat group’s data by Anti-Zionist activists has demonstrated that anti-Semitism in Australia is not just the product of neo-Nazis and the far-right, as most would like to believe. In fact, it is probably far more prevalent in those on the left, especially the far-left.

Tony O’Brien, South Melbourne, Vic

I wonder what the media and public response would be if it was a female politician who fell onto the pavement?

Anne Lindsay, Stanthorpe, Qld

I wonder if RAAF pilots will now boycott flying Richard Marles (“Marles’ dressing down for Defence”, 10-11/2)?

Riley Brown, Bondi, NSW