John Pilger, the kibbutz experience, David Stratton

Sadly, John Pilger’s journalism and filmmaking should be best remembered for its dangerous rhetoric of delegitimisation and demonisation of Israel (“Radical left-wing political journalist John Pilger dies in London aged 84”, 1/1). In his New Statesman pieces he described “the murderous, racist toll of Zionism”, supported the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign, labelled violent intifada as heroic and, most absurdly, claimed “the vote for Hamas in 2005 was actually a vote for peace”. His most damning legacy is surely his laying down much of the morally insipid groundwork for the rampant anti-Semitism masquerading as anti-Zionism since October 7.

Galya Kay, Bondi Junction, NSW

I shall remember John Pilger for his great journalistic work in exposing the criminality of the disastrous invasion of Iraq, which caused the death of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis in the subsequent turmoil, spawned Islamic State and made the country uninhabitable for the Christian minority who had previously survived there for 2000 years. I shall also remember him for his detailed cataloguing of the unimaginable horrors of the communist Pol Pot regime in Cambodia.

Bob Vinnicombe, Sefton, NSW

Thank you, Helen Trinca, for your interesting article on the state of the kibbutz movement today (“Shattered vision of hope”, 30-31/12). I was one of those non-Jewish Australians who worked as a volunteer on a kibbutz in northern Galilee in the mid-1970s. It was a watershed experience for me and one that has had a significant impact on my life. The notion that all could be equal and your status was dictated by how hard you worked appealed to me.

Hilary Scarce, Geebung, Qld

Reading Alan Howe’s story (“An instant decision that changed five lives forever”, 1/1) reminds me of a similar experience. While in the UK there was an ad: “Come to sunny Western Australia”. My wife and I (both well travelled and ex-army) were at a bit of a crossroads. An application was followed by an interview, with one official asking: “Why WA? Job-wise, you would have a better chance going to Victoria.” A short discussion ensued and we changed the application to Victoria, where we have lived for the past 50 years.

Douglas Coulson, Ringwood, Vic

Congratulations on the four-page spread (Review, 30-31/12) on David Stratton while he is still around to appreciate how colleagues, the industry and readers feel. A gracious tribute to a gracious man.

Ian and Fran Henke, Hastings, Vic