Banjo,

To avoid any misunderstandings---I certainly don't have any sympathy for Islam and I'm definitely (1) not a cultural relativist and (2) not a supporter of "Multiculturalism" as a doctrine. That said--

I don't accept that the West is in an existential struggle with Islam, that's over, Israel is fighting a colonial war for its own reasons.

< What about Israel receiving almost 2000 rockets and mortars in the last 12 months.>

This is a phase in a very long war which was planned more than a century ago-- each side retaliates in response to an earlier provocation by the other and the first provocation, of course, was the arrival of the first Zionist "settlers".

<Has Gaza had a decline in human rights since our last vote in the UN?>

Perhaps, but's that not the appropriate question, what has happened is a gradual shift in the perception of Israel and its behaviour, and as a result, an increasing moral repugnance on the part of Western politicians in general. Uncritical support for Israel was seen as the price Australians paid for the US alliance, it's apparently becoming insupportable for a majority of labor MPs.

As to threats from Hamas, listen to some of the Israeli "settlers" and members of Likud's opinions of Arabs.

Islamisation and the oppression of the Palestinians are two completely separate issues.

mac,
you said. "what has happened is a gradual shift in the perception of Israel and its behaviour, and as a result, an increasing moral repugnance on the part of Western politicians in general. Uncritical support for Israel was seen as the price Australians paid for the US alliance, it's apparently becoming insupportable for a majority of labor MPs".

So you think the Labor poiticians decided their stance because they honestly changed their opinion about Israel and now think the Palestinians need the support.

Funny that the government has never made known about any discussion of Israel losing our support. Nor opinions expressed by Carr or his predecessor Rudd. The latest comment about the situation was by the PM herself who stated that Israel had right to protect its citizens from the rocket attacks.

It seems to me that you are wrong and it is more likely that the labor elected members made the decission entirely in the self interest of themselves by endeavouring to appease and gain the ethnic vote. No, they are too principled to sell their sole for some votes arn't they?

The muslims and the left have always supported the Palestinians, no matter how many terrorist attacks they instigated. Remember the bloke with the tea towel on his head. Was it Arrafat? Terrorism was the by word under him. These days they simply lob rockets in from afar.

Israel has been under attack or the threat thereof ever since its existance.

From the smh this morning:-The Hamas Charter calls explicitly for Israel's violent destruction in overtly racist terms. There is no diplomatic pressure on Hamas and the other factions to turn away from their genocidal path.

I was not being smart I seriously do not understand what people mean by "Dog Whistle" please try and answer me in a rational way without all the insults and flip flopping around. What do you mean?

Sonofgloin! no! surely you know better?
Read th with drawal above!
You and I will continue to clash, in truth we are not at one another,s throats, we even agree.
Look face it, some times kids, or the not yet grown up miss stake us for a children,s posting site.
We even get rejects ,cast offs, from other sites.
Not just me, some of our best posters have been needlessly insulted, no one more than me, being flamed and haunted, by just such a person.

>>I was not being smart I seriously do not understand what people mean by "Dog Whistle" please try and answer me in a rational way without all the insults and flip flopping around. What do you mean?<<

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=dog+whistle+politics

Cheers,

Tony

Glad to hear that Belly....