My clothes line is wind and solar-powered

Phillip Adams in his column in The Weekend Australian (“What is there to celebrate at Christmas”, 16-17/12) points to the similar visages of Father Christmas and Karl Marx. But there are differences too. Santa-ism brings happiness and joy whereas Marxism delivers only misery and despair.

Dennis Walker, North Melbourne, Vic

Queensland Premier Steven Miles states he will introduce an emissions reduction target of 75 per cent by 2035. I would suggest he turns his attention on how to keep the lights on during the 2032 Olympic Games, and the embarrassing fallout that would occur if this cannot be achieved.

R. Watson, Sunnybank Hills, Qld

What an absolutely marvellous article by Alan Howe (“Bitter Tragedy of Gaza’s Wasted Promise”, 16-17/12). Now to get our grandchildren to read it.

E. Cordukes, Paddington, NSW

In the relatively peaceful years between the first and second intifadas, the GDP of the Palestinian Territories of Gaza and the West Bank was among the highest in the Arab Middle East. Now, thanks to Hamas, Gaza is among the lowest.

George Fishman, Vaucluse, NSW

David Warner has served Australia well in all three cricket formats, partnered mostly by Usman Khawaja. It’s such a shame they are now tarnishing their reputations by alienating their fans with their divisive political stances on media and politics. Do what you do well, guys.

Alan Chipp, Hawthorn East, Vic

It’s a world gone mad. Israel was horrifically invaded. Israel retaliates and people turn on it.

Penni Seignior, Mudgeeraba, Qld

My clothes line is wind- and solar-powered and works remarkably well most of the time!

Brian Lee, Cairns, Qld

How proud I am that our Australian government has joined such bastions of democracy as Afghanistan, Belarus, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, Russia and Saudi Arabia in United Nations voting for a ceasefire. I will remember come the next election.

Joe Miller, Woolgoolga, NSW

Gemma Tognini’s moving tribute to the decency, courage and self-sacrifice of a young Israeli soldier, killed fighting Hamas, includes a breathtaking demolition of keffiyeh-flaunting in the Australian arts sector. “This isn’t courage; at best, it’s accessorising”. I think this says it all (“A true hero isn’t a luvvy in keffiyeh – it’s Ben Zussman”, 16-17/12).

Helen Jackson, Higgins, ACT