Protesting doesn’t mean that I’m an antisemite
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HERZOG VISIT
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has accused pro-Palestinian protesters of seeking to undermine Israel’s existence. I was at the pro-Palestinian rally at Flinders Street on Monday. It was about Palestine and Israel’s human rights violations there.
Herzog has expressed frustration that more was not done to tackle antisemitism. He can tackle antisemitism by not conflating it with opposition to the genocide in Gaza.
There are many Jews who oppose Israel’s war. At the Melbourne rally, it was made clear by the speakers, including Jewish speakers, that opposition to Israel’s war on Gaza was not about being antisemitic.
Continuing to equate hating the war in Gaza with being a hater of Jews will fuel the conflict, and sadly lead to more alienation of Jews.
Leigh Ackland, Deepdene
Herzog insulted my motives for protesting
I exercised my right to protest and march in Melbourne against the Herzog visit, not as an antisemite denying the right of Israel to exist, but as an Australian appalled by the Bondi massacre, and who also believes in a fair two-state solution to division of land.
I am insulted that Herzog yesterday characterised my stance as the result of ill informed information influenced by radicals. I have kept informed of the historical political situation in Israel/Palestine since 1960s as a student and teacher.
I want a lasting peace there, but it will not come if illegal Israeli settlements continue to eat away at Palestinian territories, draconian measures regulate daily life in the West Bank, and there are appalling numbers and conditions in Israeli prisons.
Cheryl Slocombe, Northcote
Sydney protests sharply contrast with Melbourne’s
There were legitimate protests in Australia’s capital cities against the visit of the President of Israel. In Melbourne, the police were watchful but respectful. In Sydney, there were angry clashes between protesters and police.
How do we account for this difference? Could it be the anti-protest laws introduced by the NSW government?
Lesley Hardcastle, Ashburton
Frightening police behaviour in Sydney
It was frightening to see the behaviour of police at the pro-Palestine gathering in Sydney, mimicking America’s ICE, and sadly reminiscent of the anti-Vietnam marches in the ’60s and ’70s, which were needlessly brutal.
I hope our prime minister rues his decision to welcome the Israeli president, especially after hearing his insulting opinion of those Australians who decry the destruction of Palestinian people and their homeland.
It should not be necessary to continually state that to demonstrate against Israel in these circumstances is not antisemitism.
Maureen Goldie, Blackwood, SA
Victoria police commended
Victoria Police are to be commended for their behaviour on Monday night. Visible but discreet, and restrained. Contrast this with the disturbing scenes in Sydney.
David Cook, Soldiers Hill
Chilling vision of Sydney police methods
The scenes of Sydney protests against the visit by President Herzog were chilling. Especially the footage of men praying peacefully who were unnecessarily targeted and removed, and police charging and beating protesters.
Meanwhile, the protest that I attended in Melbourne was peaceful.
Denise Stevens, St Kilda
THE FORUM
No freedom to incite hate
Of course, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right ministers are responsible for the ethnic cleaning of West Bank Palestinians and prolonging the Gazan war in an effort to drive them out of Gaza. The massive protests in the streets in Israel against Netanyahu and his ministers demonstrate the anger many, if not most, Israelis feel.
But, it seems to me that some of your correspondents (Letters, 10/2) rely on misinformation to justify their anti-Israel stance. For example, the artillery shell President Herzog signed was at the end of 2023, well before the Palestinian death toll rose into the thousands, and was a smoke-screen shell meant for Hamas who used Gazan Palestinians as human shields.
And, praising Jewish anti-Israel activists, as writer David Leser does (Opinion 9/2)? Well, the vile anti-Israel protests that Herzog has attracted don’t provide me with any comfort either, nor does the president represent me since I’m not Israeli.
Australia provides many people with freedoms people elsewhere can only dream of, but freedom to misrepresent to incite hatred shouldn’t be one of them.
Henry Herzog, St. Kilda East
UN’s Israel bias
There are some dubious claims in the letters about Israel (Letters, 10/2).
It is well understood that the “river to the sea” chant is a call for Israel’s destruction. Otherwise, those who use it would just call for a free Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza, not also in Israel.
Israel is not trying to obliterate Palestine and its population. Otherwise, it would not have put so much effort into evacuating them and establishing safe areas, and many times more would have died. It was just trying to obliterate Hamas.
Herzog signing a smokescreen shell is hardly trivialising 70,000 deaths. The actions against Israel of UN functionaries with a long history of anti-Israel activism, and of the ICC which is part of the UN system, say far more about the remorseless bias of the UN than they do about Israel. The UN condemns Israel more than all other countries combined.
Danny Samuels, Malvern
NACC must do more
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland is right to say that “public confidence in the (National Anti Corruption) commission is reliant on the commission being seen to effectively manage conflicts of interest”, (10/2). She was referring to conflicts of interest internal to the NACC!
Integrity of the NACC should be beyond reproach if it’s to do anything of note about government integrity. Indeed, public confidence in the commission and in Australian politics would be boosted by the NACC being seen to do more.
So far, most of its investigations do not show up in any public announcements of political reforms of government transparency or management of conflicts of interest in parliament. Its December 2025 report notes it has secured 11 convictions, but most of these are low stakes matters involving public servants. Where are the fearless transparent inquiries into matters which affect the integrity of parliament and our sitting MPs?
Journalists regularly bemoan the lack of a proper opposition to “hold our government to account”, failing to recognise that our independent anti-corruption agencies should be doing the same. We are well overdue for a more transformative NACC commissioner.
Julia Thornton, Surrey Hills
Albanese’s courage
Re “Broken election promises” (Letters, 10/2). The idea of deliberately breaking promises is surely not “in the national interest” because it leads to even more distrust of our political leaders than is there already. However, circumstances alter cases, so it is not to be unexpected that they might change tack, as befits the current situation.
Therefore, your correspondent is right, at least, to ask whether or not Anthony Albanese has “the courage” to do what this government might well now nationally be expected.
Peter Drum, Coburg
At mercy of duopoly
The government’s proposed aviation consumer protections fall woefully short of those which apply in Europe and the UK, where the industry is far more competitive.
Nevertheless, our airlines are up in arms and threatening higher prices if these proposals are implemented. Why must Australians continue to be at the mercy of a complacent airline duopoly, where prices are high and real competition virtually non-existent?
International statistics on flight cancellations and delays show our airlines perform badly, yet they howl at even the mildest of consumer protections. The government needs to get serious about shaking up this industry.
Mike Smith, Sandringham
Grand entries, diesel smells
Entrances to the city loop stations are stairs or escalators off the street. Unobtrusive, yet functional. The entrances to the new Metro stations are grandiose and garish, a huge expenditure of money and occupying large areas of prime land in the CBD for no purpose.
How good would it have been to build something proportionate, and spent the rest on fixing Southern Cross, where diesel smells, dirty buildings and crowded walkways are a disgrace?
John Pinniger, Fairfield
More money for parks
The observation by City of Yarra mayor Stephen Jolly in “Shade v sport: Fitzroy divided over Edinburgh Gardens tennis expansion,” 8/2) that extra tennis courts are required in Edinburgh Gardens, and mature trees be sacrificed in the process is because ″Yarra’s population is about to double (and that) all our parks need to evolve with the growing need of the population, and that includes sport facilities″. This raises the question of where this Victorian government-led policy will leave the City of Yarra in the medium to longer term.
The full impact of climate change, with elevated temperatures and reduced rainfall in Melbourne, is yet to play out. The increased mass of housing stock would serve to absorb and retain the extra heat energy at the expense of the resident population.
Extra treed open space is essential. At a minimum, the mayor should demand that the Victorian government fund a doubling of the area of parkland in the City of Yarra to match the population growth he anticipates.
Ian Hundley, Balwyn Nth
Ask a “deplorable”
I’ve met a few US citizens “who voted for Trump” (Letters, 9/2) in 2016. Dismissing these “types” with “Don’t they know anything?” assures ascendancy for One Nation and Reform UK.
When articulate, eloquent and kind women with children, endless responsibilities, STEM PhDs and careers explain that they, girlfriends, family, colleagues and acquaintances all “put a peg on their nose” (their words) and voted Republican, we need to ask why?
I asked and heard – manufacturing, research, population, immigration, housing, health, education, environment and sustainability, along with horror stories of political correctness insanity.
I’m certain their Republican support has ceased, but we dismiss them as (once) redneck, ignorant and deplorable at our peril.
Ronald Elliott, Sandringham
Lineage and club membership
Ricky Ponting’s failure to secure membership at the exclusive Royal Melbourne golf club, reminds me of the classic 1980 comedy Caddyshack. In it, Judge Smails dashes the hopes of a young caddy who aspires to join the club, telling him ″the world needs ditch diggers too″.
As a massive fan of, arguably, Tasmania’s greatest sporting export, perhaps the lesson here is the realisation that nothing unites people like deciding who doesn’t belong – and it’s not your swing that counts but rather your lineage.
Craig Jory, Albury, NSW
Bill Lawry statue now
Bill Lawry is a treasured, cricketing, living legend. Eighty nine years old today (11/2). Well done, Bill. It would be great if there were a statue erected to you while you are able to enjoy it. You helped bring joy to many cricketing fans, for which you will always be remembered.
Tris Raouf, Hadfield
Equipment before art
I agree with your correspondent’s letter (10/2) regarding the power of art. Unfortunately, the cross border hospital at Albury Wodonga doesn’t have sufficient working OBS machines, beds, commode chairs, ECG and portable ultrasound machines, thermometers and the list goes on. Ward staff have been asked to fundraise for essential items on their wards.
Belinda Lingham, Albury
Try the op shop first
I would have thought that there would be a cornucopia of art works within the bowels of the op shops for the committee of the Albury Wodonga Hospital to choose from. You never know what you might find, as often witnessed on Antiques Roadshow.
Veronica Paskins, Somers
Bad Bunny behaviour
Art doesn’t require you to understand the spoken language as shown at the US Super Bowl on Monday.
Bad Bunny is as an elite artist who provided a visual feast sung with great passion which told his story of family and his homeland Puerto Rico, and the immigrant experience.
Everyone can connect with that – especially here in multicultural Australia.
I only wish the AFL would be inspired to incorporate more creative productions like the Super Bowl’s at our own grand final.
Panagiota Frangopoulos, Malvern
AND ANOTHER THING
Coalition
Hume and Taylor, two Morrison acolytes whose shortcomings were factors in the big Liberal loss last election. As Liberal leaders, they will ensure another Labor victory.
Kay Moulton, Surrey Hills
Let’s not forget when and why the rot set in. Thank goodness the Libs’ election review remains embargoed.
Charles Thompson, Fitzroy
Hey, Sussan Ley. Woman up and step down. You haven’t got what it takes to form a cohesive party. Put the party above your ego.
Trish Young, Hampton
Angus Taylor, hurry up and make a decision. Your dithering is distracting the country from MAFS.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill
If Angus Taylor is the answer, I shudder to think what the question is.
Geoff Whyte, Research
The comedy/drama Knives Out. The movie? No, our very own political scene
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
Furthermore
The Washington Post’s slogan ‘Democracy Dies in Darkness’ is wrong. It’s actually dying in the full light of day (″What’s really behind the gutting of the Washington Post?″, 9/2).
Peter Davis, Magill, SA
Bad Bunny? I prefer Bugs Bunny. (″From stage show to street party, Bad Bunny was spectacular″, 9/2).
Kevin Rugg, Beaumaris
Not often do I agree with Donald, but I would have preferred Meat Loaf.
Doug Perry, Mt Martha
Re the costs of childcare during school holidays (″The parenting equation that doesn’t add up″, 10/2). These costs should be tax deductable against the income of the lesser earning caregiver. It is a cost directly incurred from working.
Chris Lloyd, Melbourne
Finally
I suggest that we should reward and encourage anyone who refuses to use the ugly word, ″incentivise″.
Matthew Hamilton, Kew
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