The Presidential election campaigns that are currently underway in the US are full of hoopla, hysteria, loopy hats and fatuous slogans. But is our political system in Australia really that much better than in America? And are our political mindsets really more attuned to refined Aussie nuances? Continue reading »
International Relations
The Jewish Council of Australia says it is deeply disappointed at Australia’s abstention from a critical United Nations General Assembly resolution calling on Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories within 12 months. The resolution passed with 124 votes in favour, highlighting global frustration with Israel’s actions. In a statement, the JCA said Continue reading »
I’m guessing that anyone who reads Pearls and Irritations knows that Land Forces, Australia’s largest weapons expo, was held in Melbourne from 11 to 13 September in the face of strong opposition. Given the blanket coverage, it’s likely the great majority of those in the city also knew this was happening, as well as a Continue reading »
Naval and air standoffs, sabre-rattling and accusations of underhand dealings are heightening tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and causing a security dilemma. It does not have to be like this. Diplomacy and referral to international dispute resolution mechanisms can make a difference. Unless information exchange is improved and serious attempts are made to understand all Continue reading »
There must be a negotiated end to the Ukraine War. The alternative is nuclear armageddon. Continue reading »
The participation of four Israeli arms companies in the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition in Melbourne is a clear instance of the Australian Government aiding and abetting the commission of an ongoing war crime in Gaza. Continue reading »
Current responses to the Gaza “war” would seem to suggest that antisemitism is the priority issue, not the unending slaughter of Palestinians. That conclusion is confirmed by the law firm Levitt Robinson’s class action which charges that in contravention to sections 9 and 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act, Sydney University has breached its duty Continue reading »
The self-defence trope used to characterise Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza Continue reading »
The capitulation by seemingly intelligent and decent-minded national leaders to the Holocaust Industry’s relentless campaign to validate any action by Israel in the current conflict in Palestine is seriously affecting the political landscape. It seems that the leaders of “the Western World” have learned nothing from nearly a century of calamitous events. Appeasement of genocide Continue reading »
The talented comic song-writer Tom Lehrer, from a family of secular Jewish New Yorkers, complained during the Vietnam war that nothing was funny any more. He would agree now about the war in Gaza. Continue reading »