Labor’s abandonment of our Jews an election tipping point

Since October 2023 Labor has “shown restraint” as anti-Israel protests and anti-Semitism have increased in Australia to now out-of-control levels. This escalation will be added to the list of increased cost of living, disastrous climate policy, broken $275 energy price cut promise and all the other failures of Labor come election day. Already, Anthony Albanese is playing the man and not the ball with personal attacks on Peter Dutton because the Prime Minister cannot point to one positive achievement of his government. The Coalition has a lot of ground to make up but Labor’s total abandonment of the Australian Jewish community just may be the tipping point.

Peter Winzar, Palm Beach, Qld

I would like to express my gratitude to The Australian for being bold and brave enough to continue publishing articles that highlight the plight of the Jewish people and for helping to call out the hateful doxxing, bullying and terror caused by those in the public realm who maintain their rage. The article by Gemma Tognini (“As missiles rained down over Tel Aviv, I felt as if time stood still”, 11-12/1) on her visit to Israel and the revelation by sculptor Nina Sanadze of her cancellation as a successful artist (“My cancellation only made me more determined to speak out”, 11-12/1) are shocking. I only hope the people who should be reading these articles will stop and see the other side of the picture and recognise the illegitimacy of their fight against the Jewish people in Australia and focus their gaze on the issues that are causing this problem in the Middle East.

Lori Shine, Waverley, NSW

Thank you for your editorial “Albanese cannot escape reality of record on Israel” (13/1). The coming federal election is a vote for the return of a pro-Palestinian government or the opposition whose leader has consistently spoken out strongly against the anti-Semitism that is a blight on our society.

Why haven’t the federal and state governments stopped the pro-Palestinian rallies in Melbourne and Sydney? Those at the rallies support Hamas and turn its slain leaders into heroes.

They need to be stopped now. Enough is enough.

Rosemary McGeorge, Windaroo, Qld

The idea that there is some form of language or threat of legal action the government could adopt that would result in an elimination of anti-Semitic graffiti and acts of damage against Jewish property is worth comparing to that other appalling societal ill, domestic homicide. Despite serious legal implications and punishments being in place, despite the most damning of language, little has changed in those statistics.

Patrick Hockey, Clunes, Vic

Penny Wong is to represent Australia at Donald Trump’s inauguration? Really? You have got to be kidding. There could not be a more calculated insult to President Trump. Wong has single-handedly ensured a loss for Labor at the next election with her embrace of Hamas and her repudiation of Israel.

Frank Pulsford, Aspley, Qld

If the Israel Defence Forces decided they needed to take over Canberra because terrorists were holding hostages there, they wouldn’t have a very difficult job, would they? Most people who saw the professional military arrive would evacuate their buildings when requested to do so, allowing their ID and the buildings to be checked. Nobody would be shot; no buildings would be levelled – unless people inside the buildings began shooting back. This is exact­ly what the IDF has been facing in Gaza, an area half the size of Canberra. Professional soldiers do not shoot unarmed people who are not shooting at them. People have been killed and buildings have been razed because almost everywhere the IDF goes, Gazans shoot back at them.

D. D’Angelo, Adelaide

Most Australians would likely think Anthony Albanese, as Prime Minister, would make a point of attending the inauguration ceremony of the returning US president, especially given he needs to make amends for past inappropriate public comments. But no, he is doubling down on the insult by sending Penny Wong to represent our country. After her recent comments at the UN, where she voted contrary to the US on the Palestinian issue, I doubt US officials will warm to her presence, though they will, of course, be diplomatically polite.

John George, Terrigal, NSW