Hi Paul,

As I've said, I think the olo community a bunch of ordinary people who care enough to share opinions. Courtesy to one another and respect for one another as human beings is as useful a guide here as it is elsewhere.

As for Albo, he lost my respect when he abandoned the principle of equality, and his carry on about the length of the Uluru statement had similarities to the leadership cults of autocracies. As for funding UNRWA, an agency known to teach children to hate and aspire to the annihilation of Israel, I think that makes Albo and co complicit in child abuse. Economically, I don't think Labor has got the inflation genie back in the bottle, and I don't have confidence in Australia's economic future with the pursuit of renewable energy (e.g. 3 billion aud cost estimated for an 8 gwh pumped hydro storage project: on this basis it would be cheaper to have 100% nuclear than the storage cost alone for a wind and solar system).

Cheers

And speaking of useful idiots, this piece on the chairman of the Palestinian Authority is an eye opener.

"The close connection between the communist USSR and the Palestinian terror movements began immediately after the Six-Day War, starting with Arafat's secret visit to Moscow in July 1968."

https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/04/12/phd-in-holocaust-denial-abbas-doctoral-dissertation-revealed-in-full/

Joe Biden announces that Iran will attack Israel sooner rather than later, but they better not, because the U.S will help Israel.

I wonder if Joe will consult with the genius, Penny Wong, before he does anything. She is bound to have a few words of wisdom for him, being the great foreign policy expert that she thinks she is. Although, it looks as if the U.S has already decided to send reinforcements to Israel without waiting to hear what she thinks.

“We are devoted to the defence of Israel, we will support Israel, we will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed”, says Joe. Bang goes the “two state solution” rhetoric again. The Mad Mullahs in Iran might go up with a bang, too, if they piss off Joe.

It's heartening that the U.S remains a friend and ally of Israel, unlike Albanese/Wong Australia which is going out of its way to do the dirty on Israel. Shame!

Unlike the windbag ex-Prime Ministers, Keating and Abbott, John Howard rarely comments in retirement unless he is asked too. He has made a comment now, after Wong's absurd two state lecture to nobody in particular - nobody who will listen, anyway.

He has accused the Albanese government, and “Penny Wong in particular” of failing to react in the right way to the October 7 atrocity, and not recognising and speaking out against the “re-emerge of anti-Semitism”.

The Albanese government hasn't been “tough enough and firm enough and unambiguous enough.”

The government should have "given a lead” that prevented the Opera House incident from occurring and bringing shame on Australia.

Howard supports the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians, but comes back to the obvious fact, ignored by the likes of Wong, that the Arabs will not accept Israel's right to exist.

The facts are:

The Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong has clearly
stated that a "pathway out of the endless cycle of
violence" can only come with the recognition of -
"a Palestinian State alongside the State of Israel."

Penny Wong made Australia's immediate priorities clear:
"Our demand on all parties is for an immediate
humanitarian ceasefire, enabling the return of hostages,
the protection of civilians, and for a safe and
unimpeded humanitarian access."

Wong said that the Australian government would call on
all parties to return to the table and support efforts to
advance a political process.

She was emphatic that the Australian government saw -
"no role for Hamas in a future Palestinian State!"

Of course the West relies on Israeli PM Netanyahu to agree
to come to the table. So far attempts have not succeeded.
Perhaps things will change if the US withdraws its support.

"Of course the West relies on Israeli PM Netanyahu to agree
to come to the table. So far attempts have not succeeded."

More Jew hatred from Foxy. The Israelis have been seeking peace and a two state solution for over 75 years, yet Foxy portrays it as the fault of Israel. No surprise there. Perhaps Penny could present as neutral, but that wouldn't be a good vote winner here. The contrast in conduct over the deaths of Galit Carbone and Zomi Frankcom scores her no points for diplomacy.

https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/peace-won-t-be-achieved-through-speeches-like-these-20240410-p5fiv5.html