Western leaders offer no solutions about Israel-Gaza war
Are they suggesting that Israel simply capitulate to Hamas and walk away from these stated aims of the war imposed upon it on October 7? Or in addition to recognising a state of Palestine as a reward for terrorism, do they want Israel to release the hundreds of convicted criminals in an attempt to retrieve the hostages? If so, what happens when Hamas rearms, as it says it will, and launches further attacks on Israel? Pontificating from the luxury of comfortable lives in their own countries achieves nothing of value and is little more than virtue signalling for political gain.
Alan Freedman, St Kilda East, Vic
No reasonable person would attempt to justify nor underrate the horrific nature of Hamas's October 7 massacre of Israeli citizens, and nor would they contest Israel's right to respond vigorously to that episode. The question then arises as to what degree and extent of retaliation is considered reasonable and acceptable.
It is interesting to note Greg Sheridan, along with a swath of ex-military and intelligence personnel and a growing number of humanitarian organisations within Israel itself, are saying that the limit of acceptability has now been reached. In simple terms, Benjamin Netanyahu's determination to continue military operations in Gaza is now becoming counter-productive from Israel's perspective. Israel is shedding friends and supporters among the global community and this is not a matter of anti-Semitism but more of compassionate, humanitarian values.
Bill Pannell, Dalkeith, WA
We should be doing all we can to get Qatar, Egypt and Turkey to pressure Hamas to agree to a ceasefire. But Western countries are backing Israel into a corner and making the situation worse. Even though this year Israel provided critical intelligence that thwarted an alleged Iranian-linked terrorist plot in London, Israel is so furious with the UK's decision to impose conditions on Israel (and only Israel), and recognise a Palestinian state next month, that it's considering withdrawing defence and security co-operation ('Israel's role in Western bloc should not be ruptured', 9-10/8).
Israel cutting intelligence ties with Australia is possible, although unlikely at this point. But one of the main challenges our intelligence agencies face is working with fragments of information and trying to assemble a picture of what might happen. Israel gave us a tip-off a few years back that foiled a terrorist plot on an Etihad flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi. That security information sharing was all about looking out for your mates.
This masthead's editorial message is spot-on: diminution of democratic nations' intelligence sharing with Israel 'would be a detrimental rupture for the free world'.
Anthony Bergin, Reid, ACT
If a Palestinian state is recognised, together with a 'two-state solution', where one state is Palestinian and the other is Jewish, then no Palestinian refugee (or their descendants) can request settlement in the Jewish state where they have never been citizens. Can our politicians supporting this move please confirm this?
Margaret Perlman, Randwick, NSW
Brendan O'Neill's informative analysis of the unacceptable messages emanating from the Sydney Harbour Bridge march is precisely what the leader of our nation should have articulated ('Sydney Harbour Bridge March for Humanity shows protesters are not in favour of peace', 10/8). O'Neill explains that 'Death, death to the IDF' is a call for the annihilation of the IDF and for the annihilation of the Jewish homeland.
Concluding that we need firm action to counter the slow sinking of our societies, O'Neill's wake-up call is in stark contrast to the nothing-to-see here attitude from Anthony Albanese. Asked about the march, the Prime Minister said it was 'a peaceful demonstration. In a democracy, it is important that people be able to express themselves'. A prime minister asleep at the wheel is a prime minister in name only.
Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW Read related topics: Israel
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Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Two decades ago, Israel withdrew from Gaza. It has become a cautionary tale
Spanish philosopher George Santayana warned that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. This is particularly poignant as we mark this week 20 years since Israel's unilateral disengagement from Gaza began – a painful, high-risk effort to offer Palestinians autonomy and a foundation for peace. 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. Loading 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.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Two decades ago, Israel withdrew from Gaza. It has become a cautionary tale
Spanish philosopher George Santayana warned that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. This is particularly poignant as we mark this week 20 years since Israel's unilateral disengagement from Gaza began – a painful, high-risk effort to offer Palestinians autonomy and a foundation for peace. 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. Loading 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.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Australia set to recognise Palestine statehood at UN
AUSTRALIA TO FORMALLY RECOGNISE PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD: * Formal recognition of a Palestinian state will take place at the United Nations General Assembly, which will take place in September * The decision came after other allies, including the UK, France and Canada, also announced intentions to recognise Palestine at the UN meeting * Australia will join more than 140 member states of the UN in recognising Palestine * Conditions of Palestinian recognition will include assurances that Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation, will play no role in any government * Commitments would also be made for free and fair elections, as well as recognition from Palestine of Israeli statehood * Calls have also been made for hostages held by Hamas following the October 7 attacks to be released * Practical steps such as an Australian embassy would be reliant to assurances from the Palestinian Authority * Anthony Albanese previously said Palestinian recognition by Australia would be a matter of "when, not if" * While the prime minister was under pressure to follow the lead allies on recognition, he said he would not be driven by a set time frame * However, he since said Israel's decision to approve a plan to seize all of Gaza City helped lead to the decision to recognise Palestine * The prime minister said recognition was part of international efforts for peace in the Middle East and that a different approach was needed * While other countries will recognise Palestine at the UN's General Assembly, the global body as a whole is unlikely to recognise the state as a member * This is due to the UN Security Council members having a veto power over proposals * The US is one of the permanent members of the Security Council, and does not recognise a Palestinian state AUSTRALIA TO FORMALLY RECOGNISE PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD: * Formal recognition of a Palestinian state will take place at the United Nations General Assembly, which will take place in September * The decision came after other allies, including the UK, France and Canada, also announced intentions to recognise Palestine at the UN meeting * Australia will join more than 140 member states of the UN in recognising Palestine * Conditions of Palestinian recognition will include assurances that Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation, will play no role in any government * Commitments would also be made for free and fair elections, as well as recognition from Palestine of Israeli statehood * Calls have also been made for hostages held by Hamas following the October 7 attacks to be released * Practical steps such as an Australian embassy would be reliant to assurances from the Palestinian Authority * Anthony Albanese previously said Palestinian recognition by Australia would be a matter of "when, not if" * While the prime minister was under pressure to follow the lead allies on recognition, he said he would not be driven by a set time frame * However, he since said Israel's decision to approve a plan to seize all of Gaza City helped lead to the decision to recognise Palestine * The prime minister said recognition was part of international efforts for peace in the Middle East and that a different approach was needed * While other countries will recognise Palestine at the UN's General Assembly, the global body as a whole is unlikely to recognise the state as a member * This is due to the UN Security Council members having a veto power over proposals * The US is one of the permanent members of the Security Council, and does not recognise a Palestinian state AUSTRALIA TO FORMALLY RECOGNISE PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD: * Formal recognition of a Palestinian state will take place at the United Nations General Assembly, which will take place in September * The decision came after other allies, including the UK, France and Canada, also announced intentions to recognise Palestine at the UN meeting * Australia will join more than 140 member states of the UN in recognising Palestine * Conditions of Palestinian recognition will include assurances that Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation, will play no role in any government * Commitments would also be made for free and fair elections, as well as recognition from Palestine of Israeli statehood * Calls have also been made for hostages held by Hamas following the October 7 attacks to be released * Practical steps such as an Australian embassy would be reliant to assurances from the Palestinian Authority * Anthony Albanese previously said Palestinian recognition by Australia would be a matter of "when, not if" * While the prime minister was under pressure to follow the lead allies on recognition, he said he would not be driven by a set time frame * However, he since said Israel's decision to approve a plan to seize all of Gaza City helped lead to the decision to recognise Palestine * The prime minister said recognition was part of international efforts for peace in the Middle East and that a different approach was needed * While other countries will recognise Palestine at the UN's General Assembly, the global body as a whole is unlikely to recognise the state as a member * This is due to the UN Security Council members having a veto power over proposals * The US is one of the permanent members of the Security Council, and does not recognise a Palestinian state AUSTRALIA TO FORMALLY RECOGNISE PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD: * Formal recognition of a Palestinian state will take place at the United Nations General Assembly, which will take place in September * The decision came after other allies, including the UK, France and Canada, also announced intentions to recognise Palestine at the UN meeting * Australia will join more than 140 member states of the UN in recognising Palestine * Conditions of Palestinian recognition will include assurances that Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organisation, will play no role in any government * Commitments would also be made for free and fair elections, as well as recognition from Palestine of Israeli statehood * Calls have also been made for hostages held by Hamas following the October 7 attacks to be released * Practical steps such as an Australian embassy would be reliant to assurances from the Palestinian Authority * Anthony Albanese previously said Palestinian recognition by Australia would be a matter of "when, not if" * While the prime minister was under pressure to follow the lead allies on recognition, he said he would not be driven by a set time frame * However, he since said Israel's decision to approve a plan to seize all of Gaza City helped lead to the decision to recognise Palestine * The prime minister said recognition was part of international efforts for peace in the Middle East and that a different approach was needed * While other countries will recognise Palestine at the UN's General Assembly, the global body as a whole is unlikely to recognise the state as a member * This is due to the UN Security Council members having a veto power over proposals * The US is one of the permanent members of the Security Council, and does not recognise a Palestinian state
