Paradox of tolerance makes battle against anti-Semitism tough

Josh Frydenberg’s comments calling for the support of all Australians for the Jews in our midst are timely (“Combating ancient hatreds can’t be left to Australian Jews”, 21/2).

They echo the observations of the great philosopher of Jewish descent Karl Popper almost a century ago at a time of growing anti-Semitism in Europe.

In defining what became known as the paradox of tolerance, Popper prophetically warned that a society that was tolerant without limit would have its capacity for tolerance destroyed by the intolerant.

It is a lesson that, as the most senior Jew in federal parliament and the person most responsible for defining and enforcing our societal laws and limits to tolerance, above all others, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus should have taken to heart.

But instead, in a shocking betrayal of everything he should have stood for, he seeks to blame others for the consequences of his own inaction (“Dreyfus jeered over ‘weaponising anti-Semitism’ remarks”, 21/2).

Andrew Lake, Edwardstown, SA

Thank you, Dr Inessa Stinerman, for your letter (“Healthcare is a trust that rises above personal beliefs”, 20/2), which resonated with me as a medical professional.

The Bankstown Hospital nurses’ video, in which two nurses stated they would kill Israeli patients rather than treat them, shook all health professionals to the core.

All our obligatory professional development is worthless if we practise “identity medicine”, where treatment is reserved for like-minded people or those “like me” in race, religion or colour.

As for the Muslim organisations defending the nurses, they are not health providers and hence have no concept of the enormous breach of professional obligation to the welfare of others that these two displayed without conscience.

Corinne Haber, Caulfield, Vic

Hamas inhumanity

The Australian newspaper should be commended for its unflinching coverage of Hamas’s return of the four dead hostages.

Many news outlets chose not to show the footage, purporting they did not wish to disseminate Hamas propaganda.

On the contrary, it is essential that the world sees clearly both the inhumanity of Hamas and also the joy of the civilians who attended the ceremony. This is the population Israel is being asked to make peace with.

Galya Kay, Bondi Junction, NSW

Regarding the obviously well-outfitted Hamas fighters celebrating the inhumane handovers of Israeli hostages and bodies, how many have recently been released from Israeli jails? Is it a coincidence that the numbers of gun-wielding fighters at these disgusting “ceremonies” seem to be growing with each exchange?

Lenette V. Paul, Maroochydore, Qld

Unrealised dream

Over the past few years the federal government has shown its eagerness to announce funding for green projects to address climate concerns. Yet the government has rarely provided progress updates.

This lack of transparency is troubling, as successful projects are never kept secret. The so-called green hydrogen dream has been plagued by failures both here and overseas, largely due to the scientific reality that producing hydrogen requires more energy than it can generate.

Even strong proponents have pulled back from further investment. Pouring more taxpayer money into a failing venture without outlining concrete solutions to past setbacks is irresponsible. How much hard-earned taxpayer money must be wasted before we properly audit the effectiveness of previous spending?

Don McMillan, Paddington, Qld

Green steel is just a pipe dream (“Albanese spends $2bn on green steel plan”, 21/2).

The joint ALP federal and South Australian governments’ $2.4bn rescue package demonstrates that investing in hydrogen-powered steelworks is just a complete waste of money, designed to shore up the Labor Party’s electoral standing in South Australia.

The only way to provide affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for powering the Australian economy is a mix of renewables including nuclear.

Riley Brown, Bondi Beach, NSW

How many more billions of our hard-earned will the Prime Minister throw on all the fires his government has created in just three years in his desperation to stay in the top job?

Whyalla is just the tip of the renewable energy iceberg that will soon sink the Labor Party for decades.

It will be to Australia’s long-term economic detriment and social embarrassment if Labor squeaks in to another term with the Greens at the helm.

Catastrophe won’t go close to describing it. We have to realise that we are better than this.

Don Stallman, Greenslopes, Qld