I'll repeat what I wrote earlier. This is a contentious
and sensitive issue without any easy answers. But it
is good to continue to debate these issues in a
constructive and productive way.

We also need to remember that Australia is a signatory to
a number of international treaties and as a party to the
Refugee Convention and other international obligations
including being a member of the United Nations - Australia
has agreed to ensure that people who meet the UN's definition
of a refugee are not sent back to a country or a War Zone
where their life or freedom would be threatened.

We should also be aware of who is actually being let in -
and the vetting processes that are being used. This may help
to re-assure - and get rid of the misinformation and fear.

http://theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/21/the-opposition-says-australias-approach-to-refugees-from-gaza-is-too-generous-who-is-actually-being-let-in

AC

You comment is worth a bit of my time because you are so wrong. Not arguing with dingbats does not mean what you say about democracy.

Most people don't argue with others on OLO or social media: they know it's a waste of time, and they have lives to live.

What they do is make up their own minds, without nutjobs, and they go off to vote every 3 or 4 years. That's democracy. Voting is the average person's only tool.

And, after most elections, I am always surprised by just how smart the 'silent majority' is. It got rid of a crap government last time - gave Labor another chance - and I think they will do the same thing next time, with Dutton now looking to be the sort of leader that the Liberal Party hasn't had since John Howard.

If you think it's worth arguing with wackjobs, go for it. But people other than the handful here will be making the decisions at the coming election.

It's easy to judge.

It's more difficult to try to understand.

Understanding requires compassion.

We can see from what's happening around the world today
that as Prof. Ilan Pappe writes:

"History lies at the core of every conflict. A true and
unbiased understanding of the past offers the possibility
of peace. The distortion or manipulation of history, in
contrast will only sow disaster. As the example of the
Israeli-Palestine conflict shows."

"Historical disinformation, even of the most recent past,
can do tremendous harm. This wilful misunderstanding of
of history can promote oppression and protect a regime of
colonization and occupation."

"It is not surprising , therefore, that policies of
disinformation and distortion continue to the present and
play an important part in perpetuating the conflict,
leaving very little hope for the future."

"Constructed fallacies about the past and the present in
Israel and Palestine hinder us from understanding the
origins of the conflict . Meanwhile, the constant
manipulation of the relevant facts works against the
interests of all those victimized by the ongoing
bloodshed and violence."

Understanding requires compassion and a willingness to
believe that good people on both sides sometimes choose
poor methods. Through judging we separate. Through
understanding, we grow.

Let us open up our hearts to try to understand.

I recently saw a t-shirt that I think is appropriate
here:

It had written on the front:

I WOULD NEVER
HURT AN ANIMAL
"I'm more of a people person."

Former department of immigration deputy secretary, Abdul Rizi, has called the absurd and dangerous tourist visas for 3,000 Gazas (10 times the number of any other Western country, and 3,000 times the the number of Muslim countries) “politically driven and almost certainly undertaken against departmental advice.

I wonder if the excitable Ms. Steggall would call Abdul a “racist”. We saw him on TV when he was in the job, and afterwards; he is certainly not one of the only people that can be “racist” according to Steggall, et al.

"Understanding requires compassion."

Why? Why is that the case?

I understand the reasons behind the rise of the Nazis. I have no compassion for it.

I understand the reasons for the Holodomor. I have no compassion for it.

I understand why Gazans would prefer to live here rather than Gaza or Jordon or Iran. I have no compassion for it.

"Understanding requires compassion" is just something some say to try to boost their own view that people who don't agree with them lack compassion. Its not true and shows a lack of understanding.

OTOH saying something like "History lies at the core of every conflict" is just bonkers. Its like saying the rotation of the earth is behind every sunrise. True and completely beside the point and just something someone says to try to sound erudite.

Australia, or for that matter the rest of the western world, has no moral or political obligation to take these people in. Let them go to the West Bank or Jordon or Saudi Arabia or Qatar (which already houses most of their leaders) or Iran which has financed their military for decades. If their own kind and supporters won't offer them a home, why are we required to?

Or better still, decide to make Gaza liveable. Surrender to the IDF, and then promise to work toward making Gaza the paradise it could have been had they taken the monumental level of funding they received from the west and used it for economic gain rather than turned it into rockets aimed as Israel. Beg the west for a second chance and this time make sure their leaders work to improve the lives of the Gazans rather than fulfill their anti-Jewish dreams.

Hell, I'd show the requisite level of compassion and contribute to that.