We must reject the double standard
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GAZA WAR
Thanks, David Leser ('Israel's actions in Gaza indefensible', 17/5), you are correct – the silencing and intimidation need to stop. We are taught that all lives are equal, yet when Palestinian children are killed, we are silenced. I was told it might make others uncomfortable merely referencing it in academic discussions at university.
We are told that Israeli transgressions belong to another moral ledger, one that must never tip against them, lest we be tarred as antisemitic. Challenge this, and you'll be harassed on campus, and intimidated while our leaders sit on their hands.
October 7, 2023, was a nightmare we all recognise but so, too, were the 10 years before it, in which thousands of Palestinians were killed.
We must reject the double standard that some lives demand a trumpet call, while others elicit silence. This is the Palestine Exception — and until it is dismantled, our claims to justice will ring hollow.
Al Harkness, Belmont, Geelong
A mutating virus
In criticising an antisemitism definition for having an 'undue emphasis on Israel', David Leser ignores the truth best expressed by the UK's late chief rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, who described antisemitism as a mutating virus. That is, whereas they used to be hated for their religion, and then for their race, today Jews are most acutely hated for their nation state. Which helps explain why Israel has been accused of genocide in virtually every war of self-defence that it has fought, despite its neighbours being explicit about their genocidal intent on the Jewish state. Regardless of what definition of antisemitism is used, Leser need not be concerned about the muzzling of criticism of Israel any time soon.
Geoff Feren, St Kilda East
Israel is acting on its security concerns
In criticising the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism for supposedly being overprotective of Israel, David Leser neglects to mention it specifically states that criticising Israel as you would any other country is not antisemitic.
In saying it's antisemitic to describe Israel's existence as a racist endeavour, the definition doesn't refer to Israel's behaviour, as Leser implies. Those who favour the Jerusalem Declaration definition do so because it lets them feel it's somehow not antisemitic to deny Jewish self-determination while demanding that same right for others.
Leser's accusations of apartheid and genocide are simply wrong. All Israeli citizens have equal rights, and the restrictions in the West Bank are purely for security, necessitated by terrorism. In Gaza, Israel attacks civilian buildings and facilities only because Hamas illegally militarises them. Israel blocked aid because Hamas steals and uses it to consolidate its power, but deliveries will soon resume.
Jamie Hyams, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council
Time to call out war crimes
Great article by David Leser. When are we going to see our Australian government clearly calling out the war crimes being repeatedly committed by the current Israeli government in Gaza? But more importantly, when will we see Jewish leaders saying enough is enough?
Roger Byrne, Elsternwick
Our silence makes us complicit
US President Donald Trump acknowledges that 'people are starving' in Gaza yet openly backs the military campaign causing their starvation (''People are starving,' says Trump as strikes kill 250', 18/5). This isn't mere inconsistency, Trump's words of compassion mask conscious complicity. Starvation in Gaza is neither accidental nor unforeseen — the United Nations has 160,000 pallets of critical aid waiting, but Israel's blockade ensures they never arrive.
We are witnessing more than war: this is the systematic erasure of a population's capacity to live. Trump's remarks reveal a troubling global truth: today's leaders openly acknowledge immense suffering, and then actively enable it. The scandal isn't only Israel's brutality — it's our quiet complicity. Australia must ask itself: if we know this is happening, what have we done about it? Fernanda Trecenti, Fitzroy
THE FORUM
Honour his memory
Such immense sadness at the news of Adam Selwood's death (''It breaks your heart': Football mourns Selwood', 18/5). My heartfelt sympathy to the Selwood family, but also to our human family. The cost of being human is vulnerability and this is often misunderstood and neglected. The sporting world is all the richer for having known Adam, and now all the poorer for his absence. The mark Adam has left on all who knew him was profound and may they honour his memory to live a little better for having known him.
Julie Ottobre, Brunswick East
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Sydney Morning Herald
32 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Entirely unacceptable': Ambassador condemns Australian sanctions on senior Israeli ministers
Israel's ambassador has described Australian sanctions and travel bans against far-right Israeli ministers as 'entirely unacceptable', a move Foreign Minister Penny Wong said was a clear sign that the international community is increasingly frustrated with the Israeli war effort in Gaza. Australia imposed Magnitsky-style sanctions on two senior Israeli ministers for their roles in serious human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank, in a move that marked a significant escalation in Canberra's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Australia was joined by three of its Five Eyes security partners - Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The US was not involved and criticised the sanctions. Norway, which has a long history of involvement in Middle Eastern diplomatic affairs, also signed up to the joint announcement. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have been subjected to targeted financial sanctions and travel bans, effective from Wednesday, June 11. The two hardline figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government are accused of inciting and supporting systemic violence against Palestinians and aggressively expanding illegal Israeli settlements. 'We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution… but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion,' the joint statement read. 'Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.' Wong on Wednesday said Australia had engaged the Israeli government on this issue extensively, 'yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity'. 'This is why we have taken this action now – to hold those responsible to account. The Israeli government must uphold its obligations under international law and we call on it to take meaningful action to end extremist, violent and expansionist rhetoric.' The Israeli ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, reacted to the news by saying the Israeli government would meet early next week to determine how to respond.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
‘Clear message': Australia joins allies to sanction ‘extremist' Israeli ministers as US criticise action
Australia has joined the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in slapping travel bans and financial sanctions on two senior Israeli government ministers in a major split from its biggest security partner, the United States. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich were hit with the Magnitsky-style sanctions for inciting 'extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights', a joint statement by the nations' foreign ministers said. These included Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law, the governments said, reiterating support for a two-state solution as 'the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians' and 'long-term stability in the region'. The statement criticised extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements as 'appalling and dangerous'. 'We have engaged the Israeli Government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity. This is why we have taken this action now – to hold those responsible to account.' The five countries said the measures were targeted towards individuals who 'in our view undermine Israel's own security and its standing in the world,' and stressed the sanctions did not deviate from 'unwavering support for Israel's security'. But Israel and the United States immediately condemned the move against the two right-wing ministers, calling for its reversal. 'These sanctions do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war,' said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement. 'We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organisation that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace. 'We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the response from the US and Israel as 'predictable, frankly'. He said the 'expansionist rhetoric' from the two Israeli ministers sanctioned overnight by Australia was a 'serious impediment' to a two-state solution. 'Sometimes, friends have to be clear with each other. We've been clear with the Israeli Government about our concerns, which we've raised continuously, both privately and through previous statements,' he said. 'And this statement ... makes our position very clear about these two ministers.' Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended the sanctions action as a necessary step towards achieving peace in the region as she repeated condemnation of Hamas for their terrorist activities and the 'horrific events of October 7'. Australia had joined the collaborative move to 'send a very clear message' about the impingement of Palestinian rights in the West Bank. 'We have, with others, targeted sanctions, personal sanctions against these ministers, because whilst they are not the only members of the Israeli government whose actions have been problematic, they are certainly the most extreme,' she said. 'This action is the result of many months of effort and coordination, and together, these countries are sending a message: you have ignored the international community, and we do not tolerate it.' Shadow foreign minister Michaelia Cash is seeking a briefing on the decision to impose sanctions, saying the Coalition expected there would have been 'a very high threshold' before the 'very serious development'. 'We are concerned that there is a pattern of decisions by the Albanese Government targeting the Israeli Government, rather than Hamas, including the decision to block the Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister from travelling to Australia and the refusal to rule out arresting the Prime Minister of Israel,' she said in a statement. Senator Wong confirmed Australia had engaged with the US overnight and acknowledged differences in views. 'Obviously, in the history of our alliance, there are issues on which we've taken different approaches. And I would make the point that we are acting with others,' she said. She declined to answer whether she had spoken directly with Israel's Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon but said she had seen the statement by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and 'respectfully disagreed' with it. Mr Sa'ar labelled the action unacceptable and outrageous. He and Mr Netanyahu will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide Israel's response. 'It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures,' Mr Sa'ar said. He said the international political pressure on Israel sought 'to bring about an end to the war without achieving its goals' and only hardened Hamas' stance in hostage and ceasefire negotiations. 'Israel is a sovereign, independent, and proud state that is fighting a historic battle for its existence against a regional axis working to destroy it,' he said. 'Israel will emerge from this battle with the upper hand – first and foremostly because it has no other choice.' The UK government also stressed it had made it repeatedly clear to Israel it believed Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich were responsible for inciting settler violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank and that it must stop. 'When the UK says we are against something, we absolutely expect the government to condemn it and for it to stop,' Foreign Minister David Lammy said. His colleague Hamish Falconer, Minister for the Middle East, told the UK Parliament the two-state solution was in peril and the gravity of the situation demanded further action. 'The reality is that these human rights abuses, incitement to violence, the extremist rhetoric comes not just from an uncontrolled fringe but from individuals who are Ministers in this Israeli government,' he said. 'Today, with our partners, we have shown the extremists we will not sit by while they wreck the prospects of future peace.' Mr Falconer said the agendas of the two ministers were 'not even supported by the majority of Israelis'. Anita Anand, Canada's Foreign Minister, said the continued expansion of settlements and acts of extremist settler violence in the West Bank 'pose serious obstacles to peace and the realisation of a two-state solution'. 'We resolutely stand with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples and their right to live in peace and security, with dignity and without fear,' she said. Saudi Arabia and France will co-host a 'two-state solution' conference at the UN next week. Ahead of this, Senator Wong flagged the possibility of international recognition of a Palestinian state coming before the end of a negotiation process but said there were clear conditions attached to recognition including the sovereign security of Israel, release of hostages and no role for Hamas. American ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said this week he did not think an independent Palestinian state remained a goal of US foreign policy.
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Coalition, Jewish leaders and international allies question Labor's decision to sanction two Israeli cabinet ministers
The Albanese government has faced mounting criticism over its decision to impose sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers over the Gaza War. Domestic Jewish leaders, the federal opposition and key international allies have all questioned Foreign Minister Penny Wong's decision to impose the sanctions. Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich were sanctioned over claims they had incited extremist violence. These sanctions mean all their assets in Australia must be frozen, they must not enter Australia and making assets available to them would be an offence. The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) has condemned the sanctions, accusing Labor of targeting Israeli leaders while ignoring Palestinian violence. 'The AJA is appalled by reports that the Albanese Government is imposing sanctions on ministers of the Israeli government,' CEO Robert Gregory said. 'This action represents a hostile and unjustified attack on a democratic ally and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. 'Under the Albanese government, Australia's longstanding bipartisan relationship with Israel has been severely damaged.' Mr Gregory warned the government's actions have 'emboldened Islamic extremists' and had 'contributed to a rise in antisemitism at home'. Teal MP Allegra Spender told Sky News there will be 'a lot of concern' in her community, given that she represents an electorate with many Jewish residents. 'I've sought a briefing from the foreign minister in relation to (the sanctions) in terms of … what is the justification for this,' she said. Coalition frontbencher Dan Tehan also questioned the government's decision, warning of diplomatic consequences and demanding a briefing. 'This is a very serious move to sanction two ministers from a democratically elected government,' Mr Tehan told ABC Radio National on Wednesday. 'And what we want is a briefing… We also would like to know how it's going to help the peace process.' Mr Tehan said that the government needed to explain why this was a good decision when the US 'has said it's likely to be unhelpful'. US Senator Marco Rubio called on the Albanese government to reverse the sanctions on Wednesday. '"The United States condemns the sanctions imposed by the governments of United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia,' he said. 'These sanctions do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war.' In Israel, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the sanctions as 'outrageous' and said they would undermine peace efforts. Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended the move at a press conference on Tuesday, saying the ministers had committed 'serious human rights violations'. She said the decision was made in coordination with like-minded partners and was aimed at 'advancing peace and the cause of a two-state solution'. Asked by Sky News whether Australia would consider sanctioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ms Wong did not rule it out. 'We don't speculate about the approach,' she said, adding that the two ministers were 'not the only members of the Israeli government whose actions have been problematic'.
