Australia news LIVE: Universities react to anti-semitism envoy report; PM says Australia must not be ‘subservient' to allies
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7.04am
Antisemitism: Jewish groups welcome special envoy report while universities mull response
The release of recommendations from the federal government-appointed antisemitism special envoy, Jillian Segal, has prompted a mixed reaction.
While organisations such as the Zionist Federation of Australia have welcomed Segal's proposals to curb hate against Jewish people, some have warned the changes presented a threat to free speech and freedom of expression.
The most contentious proposals included a call to strip funding from universities, charities and cultural institutions that fail to combat hatred against Jewish people, calls for editorial standards within the media and the screening of visa applicants for antisemitic views.
Barrister Greg Barns, SC, spokesman for the Australian Lawyers Alliance, said the recommendations represented a threat to freedom of speech and the right to protest and could result in draconian penalties. He pointed out Australia has international human rights obligations to free speech and freedom of expression.
'The temptation will be for universities, cultural institutions and others, including NGOs, to suppress alternative views in relation to Israel,' Barns said.
'Overall there's a chilling aspect to the envoy's recommendations and that is to essentially adopt a Trumpian tool of cajoling and threatening in order to curtail fundamental human rights.'
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Universities have stopped short of endorsing the plan but said they would consider its recommendations and awaited the federal government's response.
Universities Australia chief executive Luke Sheehy welcomed the plan's publication and said he was awaiting details of the government's response.
'This is a significant body of work, and we'll work closely with our members as we consider the recommendations …We look forward to further detail on the government's response,' Sheehy said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not say on Thursday whether his government would adopt all the report's recommendations, but he welcomed the report and said that some of its proposals were already under way or could be rolled out quickly.
6.42am
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson's life behind bars
Mushroom cook and convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson has struggled to adjust to life in prison.
This piece, from Chris Vedelago, lifts the curtain on Patterson's new life in prison after being convicted of three counts of murder and one for attempted murderer.
The introverted, bright mother of two has consistently struggled to accept exactly where she had ended up, according to sources familiar with her conditions.
She doesn't curse or spit at the guards or bash anyone. But she has put inmates and guards off with her constant complaints, which are often taken as showing her complete lack of awareness of where she is.
'Her cell is too hot or too cold: 'What are you going to do about it?' she'd say. It was complaint after complaint after complaint,' says a guard who formerly worked in her unit.
'It's not a hotel; it's a prison. Yes, she wasn't convicted yet. But it's still a prison. It's not meant to be customised for your comfort.'
6.30am
'I lost my tears'; the Australian taking on a controversial role in East Jerusalem
Like many buildings East Jerusalem's Silwan district, Najah al-Rajabi's home is covered in brightly coloured murals of flowers and eyes painted by pro-Palestinian artists as part of a project called 'I witness Silwan'.
Her late husband Awad bought the house from a Palestinian owner in 1975, and she has the documents to prove it. Yet in the eyes of the Israeli legal system, they count for nothing. On June 22, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected her family's final appeal against an eviction process that began a decade ago.
'I've cried so much I lost all my tears,' the widow, 69, says, her weary face framed by a purple hijab. 'I'm dying inside. I'm an elderly woman and I have nowhere else to go.'
Israel seized East Jerusalem in the six-day war of 1967 and considers it a part of its undivided capital city. By contrast, almost all the world's countries, including the Australian government, regard East Jerusalem as occupied territory and the prospective capital of a future Palestinian state. Today it is home to around 362,000 Palestinians and 234,000 Israelis.
Among those pushing Palestinians out of their homes is Daniel Luria, 65, who grew up in Melbourne but moved to Israel 30 years ago and works as the executive director of Ateret Cohanim, a group that says it 'stands at the forefront of Jewish land reclamation in Jerusalem'.
The organisation has been accused by groups such as Amnesty International of using bribery, straw companies and the exploitation of legal technicalities to gain ownership of Palestinian homes. Recordings published in 2018 showed the organisation's chairman and attorney offering Palestinian property owners prostitutes and Viagra, and threatening to destroy their reputations unless they agreed to sell their homes.
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West Australian
5 hours ago
- West Australian
Donald Trump is ‘disappointed' over Australia's Palestine pledge, US Ambassador to Israel says
The US Ambassador to Israel has slammed as 'ill-timed' and 'not OK' the announcement by Australia and other countries to recognise a Palestinian state. Mike Huckabee says the decision of Australia, the UK, Canada, France and other countries was the wrong thing to do while hostages were still being held and 'tortured'. 'Australia can do what it wants to do but we certainly don't have to agree with it,' Mr Huckabee told ABC TV's 7.30 program on Thursday night. 'We don't have to like it, we don't have to pretend that it's OK because in our view it's not OK and it was ill-timed. 'I think, when hostages are being held and tortured – not just held – they're not being fed, they're being forced to dig their own graves. We've seen the videos. 'And for this to come at a time like this, further endangering them and endangering any hopes of some peaceful resolution of dealing with Hamas and getting them to lay down their arms.' When asked if the matter had been discussed President Donald Trump, Mr Hackabee said: 'Absolutely, and we discussed it at state department level with the Secretary. There is an enormous level of disappointment, and some disgust.' While Mr Hackabee said President Trump may not have used the word 'disgust'' himself, it conveyed the sentiment. 'I think it does express the emotional sentiment, a sense of, 'You've got to be kidding … why would they be doing this? And why would they be doing it now'?,' he said. Anthony Albanese on Monday announced that Australia would move to recognise a Palestinian state, under certain conditions, at the United Nations General Assembly next month, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Prime Minister heralded the decision as a step toward breaking 'the cycle of violence in the Middle East' and bringing 'an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza'. But he placed conditions on the recognition, including that the terrorist organisation Hamas has 'no role' in a future Palestinian state and the Palestinian Authority recognises 'Israel's right to exist in peace and security'. Hamas, which runs Gaza, was behind the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, killing more than 1200 people in its unprecedented assault and taking hostages, with up to 20 still being held. Its fighters slaughtered whole families and boasted about the violence on social media. The October 7 attacks represent the worth loss off Jewish lives since the Holocaust. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Israel's relentless pursuit of Hamas. With civilians making up the majority of deaths and no end in sight to the conflict, Mr Albanese said recognising Palestine was about saying 'enough is enough' to the 'cycle of violence'. 'Propaganda': Albanese dismisses Hamas 'praise' Meanwhile, Mr Albanese is warning of Hamas 'propaganda' after the Islamist group put out statements overnight welcoming his pledge to recognise Palestinian statehood. Its support for recognition is not a surprise – Palestinian statehood is a core goal for the group. So too is the destruction of Israel, meaning it does not support a two-state solution, which would see Israelis and Palestinians living within sovereign, internationally recognised borders. The Prime Minister made this point when fronting media in Brisbane on Thursday. 'Hamas do not want a two-state solution,' he told reporters. 'What they want is one state.' Mr Albanese also cast doubt on the initial statement reported by the Nine newspapers on Wednesday. It was attributed to Hamas co-founder Hassan Yousef, who was arrested in an Israeli raid in the West Bank after the 2023 attacks. In one statement overnight, Hamas rejected that Mr Yousef could issue comments given his imprisonment. 'I notice in the statement that's made today, they say that the alleged statement from the person yesterday is someone who's been in prison in Israel since October 2023 and has no means of communication,' Mr Albanese said. 'What that should be is a warning to the media of being very careful about the fact that Hamas will engage in propaganda because what is happening is the international community are united about isolating Hamas, about supporting a peaceful way forward.' Meanwhile, Sussan Ley has called on Mr Albanese to reconsider his decision to recognise Palestine. Speaking later on Thursday, the Opposition Leader said Mr Albanese 'should look at his own statements' because they 'say quite clearly that Hamas would not support the decision he's made'. 'But Hamas is more than supporting the decision he's made,' Ms Ley told reporters in Adelaide. 'They're in full-throated praise of it. They are cheering on. They're calling our Prime Minister a man of courage on a day when a terrorist organisation calls our Prime Minister a hero. 'Surely he has to think about reversing the decision that led to that.' Hamas overnight welcomed any support to 'help the Palestinian people achieve their national goals' but did not directly praise Mr Albanese. 'Any efforts from any party to help the Palestinian people achieve their national goals of (an) independent state and self sovereignty is very welcomed, but the core question is how to implement this and how to oblige Israel to abide (by) international law,' it said to Sky News. 'These movements are in need for teeth, for practical guide and for honest commitment to reach this goal, otherwise we will continue.' The Executive Council of Australian Jewry said it was true that Hamas opposed a two-state solution, but Mr Albanese did not have the full picture. 'The Prime Minister framed the announcement as a defeat for Hamas because of its violent opposition to a two-state solution and desire to replace Israel with a Palestinian state from the river to the sea,' co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said in a statement. 'He is right about Hamas's intentions but wrong about how they see the struggle. 'They view the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as a leap towards eventual conquest and slaughter of the Jews.' He added that Hamas was praising Mr Albanese because it feels 'like October 7 has worked perfectly and now brought them a step closer to total victory'. 'Western governments have unwittingly played along with Hamas's vision of annihilation,' Mr Ryvchin said.
Sydney Morning Herald
17 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Albanese's Palestine decision achieves nothing but division
The announcement by Hamas founder Hassan Yousef that the organisation applauds Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's recognition of a Palestinian state is, not surprisingly, sending shock waves through the Jewish community (' Anger at PM after praise from Hamas ', August 14). All it is likely to achieve is to divide Australians. The recognition of Palestine may well succeed in the UN General Assembly, which has a large Arab block, but it will be vetoed in the Security Council by the United States, as the US Ambassador to the UN has already indicated her government's opposition. So what will it achieve? A boost in political support for governments in Europe, and perhaps Australia, which have Arab minorities in key parliamentary seats – but the war in the Middle East will continue. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh Hassan Yousef is currently residing in an Israeli prison. He has applauded Australia's decision to recognise Palestine. Of course, any sensible, intelligent person or media could see that Hamas is manipulating our government's decision, just as we recognise that the Liberals and Nationals manipulate the facts about the economy, renewables, climate change, cost of living – the list is endless. But don't worry, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is going to 'unrecognise' Palestinian recognition when she's in government, maybe in about 10 years' time – if they're lucky. John Nelson, Mudgee So Australia has emboldened Hamas. Anything bad Hamas now does will be the Australian government's fault. Do the people who say these things hear themselves? Will the Liberal Party ever stand for anything other than dividing Australia over every contentious issue? The Labor government wants a free and secure Israel and a free and secure Palestine. That's not what Hamas wants. We are not on their side. I am waiting to hear Sussan Ley support the actions of the IDF in Gaza. Let's hear it Sussan, loud and clear. Garry Feeney, Kingsgrove I don't care what terrorist group Hamas has to say unless it is to tell us when they are releasing hostages, recognising the state of Israel, laying down their arms, denouncing terrorism and supporting a democratic state of Palestine – in which they will have and take no part. As for Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, an alleged war criminal, I am willing to pay his airfare to The Hague. No doubt, both of these developments would establish peace. Neil Kenzler, Haberfield Sussan Ley's statement that Anthony Albanese is 'out of his depth' cannot be left unchallenged. It displays an appalling ignorance of diplomacy. Recognising a Palestine state is vital for peace in the Middle East. The move should have been endorsed by her on a non-partisan basis. In this era of instant communications, world leaders would instantly have been aware of her remarks. They will now think that she is saying that Presidents Myriam Debono of Malta, Marcelo de Sousa of Portugal, Emmanuel Macron of France, and Prime Ministers Keir Starmer of the UK, Mark Carney of Canada, and Christopher Luxon of New Zealand, are also, like Albanese, 'out of their depth'. Being new to the job of leader, she may not be aware that you don't insult world leaders in public, especially those who are friends of Australia. This was an appalling gaffe and one hopes that a senior DFAT official immediately brought it to her attention. Perhaps another stint on the backbench would suit her better. Stephen Healion, Wang Wauk I can't take the federal opposition's outrage at Australia's plan to recognise Palestine seriously. Its biases are so blatant and outrageous. Their unquestioning support for Netanyahu and Israel's actions is an outrage. I can't recall any member of the federal opposition expressing outrage at the incursions by Israelis into the West Bank, or Netanyahu's threat to take over Gaza. Nor can I recall hearing any member of the opposition express outrage over the loss of so many innocent Palestinian lives at the hands of Israel. Jill Napier, Phegans Bay The flood of reports, commentary and letters prompted by the Albanese government's decision to recognise Palestine has sadly swept attention away from Israel's brazen assassination of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, killing four other staffers in the process (' Israel kills Al Jazeera journalist and four colleagues ', August 12). Israel's claim that he was a Hamas operative has as much credibility as its claim there's no starvation in Gaza. The combination of Israel's refusal to allow foreign journalists into Gaza and its elimination of an estimated 186 local media personnel there should have been regular headline news. It's extraordinary that international and national media outlets have not been persistently highlighting this unconscionable attack on the freedom of the press. Failing this outcry, the only sensible approach one can take to Israel's version of events in Gaza is with a large pinch of salt. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic) Climate denial costs Perhaps the climate deniers and obstructors within the Liberal and National parties might sit up and take note, as AGL, Australia's largest power generator, announces its plan to invest billions of dollars in grid-scale batteries and hydropower to mitigate the impact of coal plant outages (' Top polluter looks to buy big batteries as fossil fuel costs rise ', August 14). Belief in climate change or not, AGL has seen its profits decrease due to the increasing costs of sourcing fossil fuels, and outages at unreliable coal-fired power plants. As experts have been telling us for decades, renewable energy sources are both cleaner and cheaper, and their cost keeps falling as the technology improves, while fossil fuel prices spiral upwards. Coupled with the unreliability of aged fossil fuel-fired power stations that are approaching decommissioning, the Coalition must accept that their climate war is lost and that decarbonisation and transition to renewables is the only sensible pathway, both economically and environmentally. The longer they obstruct and delay, the more it will cost us all. Alan Marel, North Curl Curl Time to dump AUKUS I wouldn't take any advice from John Bolton, a former national security adviser to Donald Trump (' Speak out about Chinese threat or risk AUKUS subs ', August 14). He was part of the Project for the New American Century, which promoted global leadership through military might. He actively promoted invading Iraq based on a thin tissue of lies, and although supportive of the Vietnam War, like Trump, he made sure that he didn't serve. People like him are not happy unless planning some sort of war, and China seems to be their latest target. They are happy to blatantly lie to get their preferred outcome. AUKUS will not make Australia safer, it will just paint a big target on us should the current batch of right-wing warmongers in the US get their way. Time to drop the whole thing, count our losses and develop unmanned craft suitable for defending Australia – at a fraction of the cost. Graeme Finn, Campsie Bolton and the US need to understand that any Australian support against China will be contingent on the US embodying the values of freedom and democracy. If they continue along their Trumpian path, this is unlikely to be the case. The communism thing is a furphy. China, Russia and US are fascist, regardless of how they choose to define themselves. Boris Feigin, Narwee Boomer bashers For the most part, I agree with Alexandra Smith's assessment of Gareth Ward and her acknowledgement of Kate Dezarnaulds' courage in speaking out against a renowned litigator (' Ward a rapist and bully but beloved by Boomers ', August 14). But in an age when bigotry and racism are rightfully called out and condemned, it seems that ageism, generalising and vilifying the Boomer generation gets a free pass. May I remind the Herald that the Boomer generation led the charge for social reform, fought and marched for feminist issues, fought and marched against racism and for equality, and protested against war. Our music was the music of protest and struggle for social change and equality for race and gender. We were inspired and we were active. Maybe that's the real reason for 'Boomer bashing'. It was a generation not only of hope, but of action for a better and fairer world. Alph Williams, Red Rock Climate change reality It is not difficult to picture the alleged confrontation centred around Wamberal beachfront erosion (' Police probe as beachfront erosion battle turns violent ', August 14). Homeowners, threatened by the inexorable consequences of global warming will, understandably, take measures in a most probably futile attempt to protect their properties. Beach users, seeing the seashore inevitably transitioning from sandy stretches to walls of concrete and rubble, will also be distressed. The accelerating rise in sea levels is an existential threat, not just to Pacific and Torres Strait islanders, but also to vast swathes of the Australian coastline. Unfortunately, governments at all levels can neither permit landowners the freedom to fortify their properties at the expense of their neighbours, nor can they, in view of vast anticipated future infrastructure costs, start contributing any significant funding to preserve private real estate. Climate change is a reality and is already demanding exceedingly difficult decisions. Roger Epps, Armidale Wamberal is just one of a number of beaches on the NSW coast that was identified by the NSW Water Research Laboratory as far back as the 1970s as in danger of major coastal erosion from entirely normal major east coast storm events – nothing to do with climate change – and because land development had been permitted on the foredunes, damage to private property was at some point inevitable. The only proper solution now is to remove all those dwellings and return the land to coastal open space in which the foredune can do what it has done for millennia – erode and rebuild and protect lands further inshore. Using public funds to build seawalls is a complete waste. It would be better used to buy out the owners. Peter Thornton, Killara As a long-time Central Coast resident, I have often walked on Wamberal beach and watched the sea progressively erode the stairs from those exclusive properties, and then the decks. The seas have been harsh. Nature always wins in the end. This council has the lowest per household income in the Greater Sydney region. Our roads are full of potholes from the massive rains. I know what I want my rates to be spent on. Greg Lewin, Tumbi Umbi Crowded house As a resident of the Hills District, I am also concerned at the number of new apartments, 6000 new dwellings up to 40 storeys, being built in the area (' It's a tsunami': Councils angry at plans to fast-track 70,000 homes', August 14). Most of the development is occurring close to Metro stations, which makes sense, until you realise it runs at capacity during peak hours. Standing room only from Norwest to Gadigal station. Current road infrastructure struggles to cope with morning and afternoon peaks, but it's not that different to rest of Sydney. My biggest concern is that none of this new development is being built as affordable housing. The current wait time for social housing in the Hills District and Blacktown is 10 years. There ought to be a requirement that each of these new developments has a percentage of units set aside for social housing, except that will never happen as local residents and developers will cry 'not in my backyard'. Tim Overland, Castle Hill Sidelining the local council and residents and handing all the power to a three-person committee to make a decision that potentially fundamentally alters the quality of life in a neighbourhood is profoundly undemocratic. There has to be a better way. Alan Morris, Eastlakes Transport tolls Your correspondent claims that 'it is far cheaper to fund the rail system than pour money into the road network' (Letters, August 14). Assuming that is true, the difference is that some roads can be funded by private enterprise as toll roads – no government billions needed. Motorists pay it back over decades. The same is not true of the rail network. The only privately funded rail link in NSW, the Airport Line, requires government subsidies for the non-airport stations, and the airport stations have the equivalent of a toll – a $17 access fee per trip. Brendan Jones, Annandale Gun safety I cannot help but question why an AFP officer was carrying a weapon with a round already in the chamber, and perhaps with the safety catch off (' Police gun fired in airport arrest ', August 14). That's just dangerous. To chamber a round required a deliberate action: both hands on the weapon to inject the bullet into the firing position. The fact that an AFP officer was carrying a ready-to-fire weapon raises serious concerns about AFP training standards and the individual's approach to basic firearm safety. Warren Bowden, Fairlight Falafel politics In the interests of neutrality and harmony it was reasonable for the Merivale establishment to ask customers to remove the keffiyeh (' Falafel eatery turned away diners wearing keffiyehs ', August 14) – provided they also asked customers to remove the kippah. Where will it end? Perhaps those wearing jewellery such as a cross pendant (crucifix) will be next. Janet Cook, Waverton Bad taste Memo to Hugh Marks, who cites Masterchef as his inspiration (' New ABC boss wants global hits from the broadcaster ', August 14). The 'premium' aspect of hopeful amateurs being browbeaten by self-centred prigs is cash. The ABC is a public broadcaster. Making money from broadcasting the anguish of brokenhearted aspirants is not your brief. Quality entertainment, without a mean streak, is. Andrew Cohen, Glebe Working week Although I have never been a union member, I can see where the unions are coming from in advocating a four-day week (' Unions to push for a four-day week', August 14). It might not be suitable for all jobs, but I have observed tradies who work well with a four-day week. They work four 10-hour shifts from Monday to Thursday, thus still working a 40-hour week. Productivity is high, with both clients and workers happy. Robyn Lewis, Raglan As a retiree, I have been considering how I can increase my productivity and reduce my working hours (' What's productivity and how could AI affect it?' August 14). Employing AI will not help, as I prefer to exercise my genuine intelligence rather than an artificial substitute. Here is my plan: more time in bed, thus reducing my working week; lunch out four times weekly instead of three; double my output of secretarial emails on strata issues; and write more letters to the Herald. John Flint, St Leonards
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
Anthony Albanese attempts to distance himself from Hamas praise despite multiple statements welcoming Palestinian recognition
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has attempted to discredit Hamas' celebration of his decision to recognise Palestinian statehood. On Wednesday Hamas' co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a prominent figure in the West Bank said Mr Albanese's announcement to officially recognise Palestine as a state showed 'political courage.' 'We welcome Australia's decision to recognise the state of Palestine and consider it an important step towards achieving justice for our people and securing their legitimate rights,' Yousef told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'This position reflects political courage and a commitment to the values of justice and the right of peoples to self-determination. The Coalition and a raft of Jewish groups savaged the endorsement by the registered terrorist organisation with shadow home affairs minister Michaelia Cash stating that Mr Albanese should 'hang his head in shame.' While trying to discredit the statement, Mr Albanese admitted it was 'Hamas propaganda'. 'I notice in the statement that's made today, they (Hamas) say that the alleged statement from the person yesterday is from someone who's been in prison in Israel since October 2023 and has no means of communication' Mr Albanese said. 'What that should be is a warning to the media of being very careful about the fact that Hamas will engage in propaganda because what is happening is the international community are united about isolating Hamas. 'Hamas do not want a two-state solution. What they want is one state.' However, in a separate statement to the ABC on Thursday, the terror group's official media spokesperson praised the Prime Minister's decision. "We welcome Australia's decision to recognise the state of Palestine, and consider it a positive step towards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people," Hamas media director Ismail Al-Thawabta said. 'Such a move reflects a growing global awareness of the necessity to end the injustice suffered by our people for decades. 'We call on the Australian government to translate this recognition into concrete actions — by exerting diplomatic pressure to end the Israeli occupation." The group added that 'while recognition has come late' the move was 'better late than never.' Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said: Any efforts from any party to help the Palestinian people to achieve their national goals of independent state and self sovereignty is very welcomed, but the core question is how to implement this and how to oblige Israel to abide international law." "These movements are in need for teeth , for practical guide and for honest commitment to reach this goal, otherwise we will continue to stay struggling in the same violent vicious circle," he said in a statement. Israel quickly attacked the government after the Sydney Morning Herald reported Yousef's statements. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar took to social media to mock Australia's Prime Minister, posting on X: "Hamas loves @AlboMP" using the love heart emoji. Mr Albanese was referring to a statement made by Hamas on its English-language Telegram news channel in which it denied that Yousef had made a statement to the SMH. 'Hamas affirms that Sheikh Hassan is held in poor detention conditions, cut off from the outside world, and has no means of communication with any local or international press outlets,' the statement said. Yousef has been held in an Israeli prison since October 2023 after the horrific October 7 attacks. The Prime Minister's effort to discredit the original remarks made by Yousef to the SMH echoes a statement made by a government spokesperson on Wednesday urging media outlets against publishing comments released by listed terrorist organisations. 'Hamas always tries to manipulate facts for their own propaganda. Media have a responsibility to make professional judgments to not promote propaganda of terrorist organisations to get cynical headlines,' the government spokesperson said. The Prime Minister and the government spokesperson's statements still credit the "propaganda" to Hamas. Mr Albanese vowed he would not 'be a cheer squad for Hamas and for its statements' and encouraged everyone 'in political life in Australia' to isolate Hamas. On Wednesday the PM dodged Sky News questioning on the demilitarisation of Hamas following his pledge that a key condition of recognition be that Hamas would have 'no role' in the governance of a Palestinian state. 'The important thing is what the Arab League have said. The Arab League, the countries around the region as well as the international community, have made it very clear - Hamas has no role, no role,' he said, failing to explain how demilitarisation was possible.
