Two decades ago, Israel withdrew from Gaza. It has become a cautionary tale
Two decades ago, when Israel withdrew its soldiers and dismantled settlements in Gaza, prime minister Ariel Sharon proclaimed: 'Now it is the Palestinians' turn to prove their desire for peace.' Gaza was handed over not as a reward, but as a test.
That test was failed.
Rather than build functioning institutions, Hamas turned Gaza into a fortress of terror. Rocket attacks on Israel surged, aid was diverted to fund tunnels and weapons, and children were indoctrinated with hatred.
Gaza did not become the prototype for a Palestinian state. It has become the cautionary tale.
In 2005, the international community hailed Israel's withdrawal as a bold gesture. But hindsight reveals the flaw: autonomy was granted before the foundations of self-governance were in place. Today, with the Australian government's announcement that it will recognise a Palestinian state, we risk making the same mistake again.
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The parallels are hard to ignore. Then, as now, the world was impatient for action. But history has shown that in the Middle East, there are no shortcuts. Bold gestures are not a substitute for the hard work of peacemaking and institution-building. If Gaza proved the dangers of transferring control without credible governance, recognising a Palestinian state now, before the necessary reforms, would guarantee those failures are repeated and entrenched.
Simply replacing Hamas with the unreformed Palestinian Authority (PA) - an entity plagued by corruption, weak institutions, and a 'pay for slay' terrorism reward system – will not set Palestinians up for success.
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Perth Now
15 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Controversial Jewish MP's visa cancelled
The Australian Jewish Association has warned the country is on the Trump administration's radar over its treatment of Israeli internationals as the Albanese government sensationally cancelled the visa of a Jewish MP. Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke on Tuesday denied Israeli politician Simcha Rothman from entering the country, imposing a three-year ban just one day before he was set to arrive in Australia. Rothman – who forms a part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political party – was set to appear at speaking events across synagogues and Jewish schools as well as host meetings with victims and visit targeted institutions. But the MP was met with the sudden cancellation on the day he was set to board his flight. The AJA's chief executive Robert Gregory said the move formed a pattern of international Jewish guests receiving poor treatment from the Albanese government. 'The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism,' he said. Israeli politician Simcha Rothman has had his Australian visa cancelled just one day before being expected to arrive in the country. BBC Credit: BBC News 'This is a viciously anti-Semitic move from a government that is obsessed with targeting the Jewish community and Israel.' Mr Gregory explained all of the MP's paperwork was filled out correctly and on time and the visa was approved with no obstacles. 'The timing of the cancellation at the last minute was spiteful and intended to cause maximum harm to the Australia Jewish community. He took to X to reveal the association had since heard from an increasing number of Australian Jewish people who now feel unwelcome under Albanese and are planning to leave the country. 'It seems the government is happy to replace them by importing thousands of Gazans,' he said. 'Israel is fully justified in taking strong measures in response to this and we have briefed contacts in the Trump administration who are also concerned about events in Australia.' Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has defended the decision to cancel the visa of Simcha Rothman. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia However, Mr Burke doubled down on the decision to deny people who 'spread division' entry into the country. 'Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division,' he said. 'If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here. 'Under our government, Australia will be a country where everyone can be safe, and feel safe.' The move follows the controversial approval of a visa for Hamas supporter Monda Zahed, which was swiftly cancelled after calls for Mr Burke's resignation.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Israeli MP who branded Gaza kids 'enemies' denied visa
Australia has denied a far-right Israeli politician from entering the country for a speaking tour after provocative comments including branding children in Gaza as enemies. Politician Simcha Rothman has denied children have been dying of hunger in Gaza, despite overwhelming international evidence, and branded them "our enemies". Mr Rothman has also pushed for Israel to annex the West Bank and denied a Palestinian state should exist. He defended the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which is illegal under international law, and refused to allow those fleeing the war into Israel, saying "you don't let them conquer your country". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia "will be a country where everyone can be safe and feel safe". "Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," he said in a statement. "If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here." The right-wing Australian Jewish Association said the visa cancellation on the day Mr Rothman was set to leave "was spiteful" after it had initially been granted. The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism," CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement. "AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues." Mr Gregory also criticised Mr Burke for denying entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked and Israeli advocate Hillel Fuld. The minister blocked Ms Shaked's visa based on anti-Palestinian comments. Briefing materials provided for Mr Burke on Ms Shaked's visa provided numerous examples of her rhetoric, including her calling Palestinian children "little snakes" and pushing to turn a Palestinian settlement in Gaza into a soccer field. Mr Fuld had compared Gazans to Nazis, said not all Palestinian children were innocent and dismissed violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Australia has further sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, including travel bans. But Mr Burke has also denied entry to people who have a history of anti-Semitism, including rapper Kanye West after he released a song praising Hitler. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Australia has denied a far-right Israeli politician from entering the country for a speaking tour after provocative comments including branding children in Gaza as enemies. Politician Simcha Rothman has denied children have been dying of hunger in Gaza, despite overwhelming international evidence, and branded them "our enemies". Mr Rothman has also pushed for Israel to annex the West Bank and denied a Palestinian state should exist. He defended the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which is illegal under international law, and refused to allow those fleeing the war into Israel, saying "you don't let them conquer your country". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia "will be a country where everyone can be safe and feel safe". "Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," he said in a statement. "If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here." The right-wing Australian Jewish Association said the visa cancellation on the day Mr Rothman was set to leave "was spiteful" after it had initially been granted. The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism," CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement. "AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues." Mr Gregory also criticised Mr Burke for denying entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked and Israeli advocate Hillel Fuld. The minister blocked Ms Shaked's visa based on anti-Palestinian comments. Briefing materials provided for Mr Burke on Ms Shaked's visa provided numerous examples of her rhetoric, including her calling Palestinian children "little snakes" and pushing to turn a Palestinian settlement in Gaza into a soccer field. Mr Fuld had compared Gazans to Nazis, said not all Palestinian children were innocent and dismissed violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Australia has further sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, including travel bans. But Mr Burke has also denied entry to people who have a history of anti-Semitism, including rapper Kanye West after he released a song praising Hitler. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Australia has denied a far-right Israeli politician from entering the country for a speaking tour after provocative comments including branding children in Gaza as enemies. Politician Simcha Rothman has denied children have been dying of hunger in Gaza, despite overwhelming international evidence, and branded them "our enemies". Mr Rothman has also pushed for Israel to annex the West Bank and denied a Palestinian state should exist. He defended the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which is illegal under international law, and refused to allow those fleeing the war into Israel, saying "you don't let them conquer your country". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia "will be a country where everyone can be safe and feel safe". "Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," he said in a statement. "If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here." The right-wing Australian Jewish Association said the visa cancellation on the day Mr Rothman was set to leave "was spiteful" after it had initially been granted. The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism," CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement. "AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues." Mr Gregory also criticised Mr Burke for denying entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked and Israeli advocate Hillel Fuld. The minister blocked Ms Shaked's visa based on anti-Palestinian comments. Briefing materials provided for Mr Burke on Ms Shaked's visa provided numerous examples of her rhetoric, including her calling Palestinian children "little snakes" and pushing to turn a Palestinian settlement in Gaza into a soccer field. Mr Fuld had compared Gazans to Nazis, said not all Palestinian children were innocent and dismissed violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Australia has further sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, including travel bans. But Mr Burke has also denied entry to people who have a history of anti-Semitism, including rapper Kanye West after he released a song praising Hitler. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Australia has denied a far-right Israeli politician from entering the country for a speaking tour after provocative comments including branding children in Gaza as enemies. Politician Simcha Rothman has denied children have been dying of hunger in Gaza, despite overwhelming international evidence, and branded them "our enemies". Mr Rothman has also pushed for Israel to annex the West Bank and denied a Palestinian state should exist. He defended the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which is illegal under international law, and refused to allow those fleeing the war into Israel, saying "you don't let them conquer your country". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia "will be a country where everyone can be safe and feel safe". "Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," he said in a statement. "If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here." The right-wing Australian Jewish Association said the visa cancellation on the day Mr Rothman was set to leave "was spiteful" after it had initially been granted. The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism," CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement. "AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues." Mr Gregory also criticised Mr Burke for denying entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked and Israeli advocate Hillel Fuld. The minister blocked Ms Shaked's visa based on anti-Palestinian comments. Briefing materials provided for Mr Burke on Ms Shaked's visa provided numerous examples of her rhetoric, including her calling Palestinian children "little snakes" and pushing to turn a Palestinian settlement in Gaza into a soccer field. Mr Fuld had compared Gazans to Nazis, said not all Palestinian children were innocent and dismissed violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Australia has further sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, including travel bans. But Mr Burke has also denied entry to people who have a history of anti-Semitism, including rapper Kanye West after he released a song praising Hitler. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Albanese and Chalmers open economic reform roundtable as Labor faces calls to consider tax changes
Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers could broaden out Labor's mandate on tax and deregulation after this week's economic reform roundtable, as the Government is being urged to 'cough up . . . the hairballs' and deal with red tape. The Prime Minister and Treasurer will launch the three-day Cabinet room talks on Tuesday morning amid high expectations for agreements on cutting red tape and slashing approvals. The 23 people attending the roundtable will spend most of Thursday contemplating tax reform, after also examining ways to boost productivity and make the economy more resilient. Dr Chalmers said on Monday that the Government would like to move quickly where it can — without necessarily taking big changes to an election. 'It depends on the nature and the magnitude of the changes that are being proposed,' he said. Some things might be able to be done 'relatively quickly', he foreshadowed. However, shadow finance minister James Paterson said Labor had no mandate to raise taxes. 'A hand-picked roundtable in Canberra won't give them the mandate that they failed to earn from the Australian people at the election,' he said. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher flagged that the Government's existing agenda would be 'rolling through alongside of this' but it would go further where it could. 'If there are genuine areas where we think there's opportunity to strengthen the economy, to drive productivity, to get the budget and continue to get the budget in better shape, then we will take those opportunities,' she said. A Newspoll published on Monday found that, given a choice of increasing taxes or cutting spending to make budget repair, 57 per cent of people thought tax hikes were the worst option. Dr Chalmers said the only tax agenda the Government had now was the 'top-up' income tax cuts it legislated before the election, and some form of road user charge that has been in the works with the States for almost two years. Mr Albanese said the Government wanted to get a wealth of ideas out of the roundtable this week. The best way to bring people with governments 'on that journey of reform' was inclusiveness and making sure 'you don't just spring things' on voters, he said. But he also indicated some changes could be made without being put to an election. 'There's a range of things that could be done immediately. There are some things that will feed into budget processes through our normal way that we operate. And there are other things that might be longer-term,' he said. 'The job of reform is never done . . . We have a clear policy agenda, but we've also said that's not the limit of our ambition.' Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood said explaining how the cumulative effect of changes could help people in their day-to-day lives was vital to making the case for reform. 'Anyone that's trying to build a house, renovate that house, Phil's trying to put in a pool, has grappled with these challenges around the spread . . . of regulations,' she said. 'Any young person who's trying to buy a house has seen the impacts of these policies over time. 'So we need to work in these areas where people are actually feeling the pain, in a real sense, in the economy.' She said it was upsetting 'that productivity is seen as this negative thing' rather than something that would help people to lead 'better and broader lives'. The Opposition has warned it will set a red line on any intention to increase taxes, despite the structural problems besetting the budget from growth in health, Defence and NDIS funding. Senator Paterson feared the roundtable was 'going to be a complete flop and not deal with any of the serious economic problems in our country'. Business groups have joined forces to urge a 25 per cent reduction in red tape along with better planning and approvals processes and more incentives for investment and innovation. Ms Wood likened the creep of regulations piling up after constant calls for governments to 'do something' whenever an issue emerged to 'hairballs (that) have found their way into almost every corner of our economy'. The theme was picked up by Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Andrew McKellar. 'The time has come to cough up some of those hairballs. And I think if we can do that over the next three days, then we will all feel a lot better,' he said. The Productivity Commission has also suggested governments set a target to slash red tape, but didn't say where the level should be set. Ministers are drawn to the idea of 'better regulation' and have asked regulators for suggestions on how to streamline processes. 'So often with regulation, it can become layer upon layer upon layer, and you've got to look at it in terms of Commonwealth, state, territory, local government,' Senator Gallagher said. A key argument from the American commentators whose 'Abundance agenda' has caught the Government's attention is that well-meaning politicians have added regulations such as local content or gender equity requirements to further progressive aims without thought to the cumulative effect. The result is programs that stray from their core purpose and are unworkable. Dr Chalmers set three tests for scrapping regulations: where it was unnecessary, duplicated or didn't serve a useful purpose. The Opposition has criticised Labor for adding thousands of new regulations in the previous term of government – shadow housing minister Andrew Bragg said shifting would be like turning the Titanic – but ministers have countered this by pointing out the Coalition added more.
