“… nothing short of unmistakable convulsions for political change”

Tania, I hope you are right.

But even before all the dead were buried there were voices defending this government’s inaction in the face of obviously increasing, and increasingly virulent, antisemitism; well-known political commentators who claimed the attack had nothing to do with religion; and even those blaming the victims – implying that the Bondi atrocity was an unfortunate but understandable reaction to the war in Gaza.

An unlikely but fiercely toxic alliance of the extreme right, the extreme left and extreme Islamists have combined to normalise antisemitism in large parts of the Australian community, and the moderate centre that could once be expected to repudiate their absurd arguments and point out their moral bankruptcy seems diminished and cowed.

I also fear that the government will feel obliged to act in ways that will not resolve the problem and will reduce the rights and freedoms of all Australians, without necessarily making us safer. Banning hate speech and symbols does not prevent hateful ideology. Defunding universities and arts organisation that promote antisemitism may have merit but could all too easily result in censorship and reduced autonomy.

I would like to live in a society where we do not see nazi swastikas and ISIS flags at demonstrations – not because they are illegal, but because we all know it is abhorrent.

Rhian Simply wants offensive flags removed from demonstrations, the rest ok; and the rest of it which is intolerable to people that actually give a toss about the dying of Australia and its cultural heritage, are the objectors to the swamping of Australia with people that stink like a rotten kebab stored under an unwashed armpit, and show complete and utter contempt for the country “they” now call home; reduce its values to the rank of barbarism, wrap themselves in medieval rags with slits for eyes, and shout for our death at every opportunity that grabs their whim; commonly called Islamists, (Muslims all).

Oh, but there are good ones, so let’s not be too hard on them!

Bondi's a trojan horse.
The real enemy is the Jewish AI total surveillance system they want you to run to and embrace, stupid fools.
It's called STARGATE.

DD

That is not what I meant.

Offensive flags and slogans are not the main issue; the reason why these are deemed acceptable or even virtuous is the problem. The hatred, intolerance, vilification and approval of violence that they represent and celebrate need to be addressed. Symbols and slogans are more a symptom than the cause, and the symptom will disappear if the cause is rectified.