Criticising Zionism is not hatred of Jews

I appreciated Danny Berkovic’s article and agree that words can be weaponized and that Israel has a right to exist (“How Zionist became a safe word for Jew-hatred,” February 15). Unfortunately, under the actions of the current Israeli government, Israel has gone from having great international sympathy and support following the horror of October 7, 2023, to dismay at the destruction of Gaza and the killing of innocents. I was hoping that Israel would at least acknowledge that its own actions had increased the fervor of antisemitism to levels never seen before in Australia. This is our current predicament: tragedy on both sides and little hope or vision of a just outcome that would provide the Palestinian people with a state for themselves. Rhyan Andrews, Faulconbridge

Danny Berkovic writes that Zionism is simply “the right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their ancestral homeland.” This definition is very nice. It is also historically incomplete. Modern political Zionism emerged in Europe in the late 19th century with the goal of establishing a Jewish state in already inhabited territory. When the First Zionist Congress met in Basel in 1897, the overwhelming majority of the population of Palestine was Arab (Muslim and Christian) living in settled towns, villages and farming communities. Jewish dominance here could not be achieved without changing this demographic reality. In 1948 this change occurred through war and mass displacement. More than 700,000 Palestinians were deported or fled in fear. More than 400 villages were depopulated or destroyed. Antisemitism is real and must be opposed unconditionally. But this fact does not erase the other. Zionism is a state-building movement whose realization required and continues to require the displacement and dispossession of Palestinians. Criticizing Zionism is not hatred of Jews, but a political stance based on documented history. Fernanda Trecenti, Fitzroy (Vic)

The problem with Danny Berkovic’s argument about Zionism is that his “simple” definition does not take into account Israel’s history after 1948, and specifically 1967, when the Six-Day War tripled the size of Israel. Since then, Zionism has become inextricably linked to Israeli expansionism and the violation of international law; This made it quite a call to conflate antisemitism with anti-Zionism and to suggest, as he did, that it was disingenuous to separate the two. Alynn PrattGrenfell

Seek resources to overcome bullying

Hats off to Professor Donna Cross and NSW Education Minister Prue Car for introducing the most advanced policies against bullying in schools I have ever encountered (“‘Safe haven’: Ambitious plan to eliminate bullying”, February 15). This is a great first step in countering the persistent problem of school bullying. But it also raises the question: Where does this tendency towards bullying in children come from? The enlightened approach described above is a welcome first step towards addressing one of Australia’s most vexing problems: domestic violence. Larry Woldenberg, Lodge

Again, teachers are expected to carry the burden of implementing a revised anti-bullying program in the classroom (“Create a culture of kindness in our schools,” February 15). Are our expectations about how much teachers can influence our children unrealistic? How are teachers expected to educate our children with an already overloaded curriculum, keep up with the complexity of the digital age, and manage disruptive children? A more successful outcome (and much needed) would be the appointment of a qualified counselor in each school. Christina Foo, Wahroonga

The bipartisanship of the barracks

How pleasing it was to read Alexandra Smith’s article (“Cross-party pressure to keep barracks in public hands”, 15 February). There seems to be an issue of national importance to ensure that political parties and independents row in the same direction. I wish you success in preventing sales to this diverse group. Paul Reid, Campsie

Taylor’s closing

New Liberal leader Angus Taylor is reportedly set to welcome exiled Conservative figures Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price back to frontline politics (“Taylor eyeing new team with Hastie, Price frontbenchers,” February 15), which could very well lead to more moderate Liberal voters switching their allegiances to teal. Eric Palm, Gympie (Qld)

I argue that the Liberal Party has not two but three existential problems, according to Parnell Palme McGuinness’s article (“Twin challenges await new leader,” February 15). They are: teal on the left, One Nation on the right and the third one, who are they? Because who is the Liberal Party? They don’t know; we voters don’t know; and their prolonged infighting confirms the confusion. The real Menzies Liberal Party is now in teal and despair The Liberals have returned to the reliable formula of the past: a conservative, middle-aged white male to save the country from patriarchy. Meanwhile, their party is a rubber duck swirling around the political vortex that will soon disappear through the hole of reality and never be seen again. Rowan Godwin, Rozelle