

Army was ordered to kill Israelis on 7 October, defence minister confirms
Israeli troops were ordered to shoot and kill captive Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023, Israel’s then defence ministe…
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Israel and the dark legacy of Sir Mark Sykes
The Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East is widely believed to have started in November 1917 when the British Foreign Minister, Lord Balfour, declared support for the Zionist dream of a homeland for the Jews in Palestine. Known as the Balfour Declaration, one would have expected this decision by the British Government to have been Continue reading »
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The Hasbara’s foot soldiers
Supporters of the state of Israel have ready access to the pages of the mainstream media. Strangely their descriptions of the object of their devotion and of its actions bear no resemblance to reality. Continue reading »
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The real estate mogul
President Donald Trump is not quite the fool or the subjective (or subliminal) genius that pundits make him out to be. However, if there is one trait that his recent pronouncements point to it is that of a quintessential real estate mogul. Continue reading »
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Making the commonweal turn, turn, turn again out on Highway 61
“A Complete Unknown,” James Mangold’s current biopic movie about Bob Dylan, starring Timothee Chalamet (also star of Dune), has arrived at a perfectly disturbed and disturbing moment. The period of history this film chronicles from 60 years ago signalled that “change is a comin'”’ for several generations at once. Continue reading »
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Breaking barriers: The transformative impact of people-to-people exchange
American talk show host Jimmy Fallon humorously remarked, “Americans would literally rather learn Mandarin than use Instagram Reels!” Recently, more than 700,000 users who call themselves “TikTok refugees” from the United States flocked to a popular Chinese social media app named RedNote (or Xiaohongshu). This unexpected “migration” has connected netizens from the two great nations Continue reading »
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A five-minute scroll
Seventy-nine countries sign a letter supporting the International Criminal Court, but not Australia. Biden has laid the plan for what Trump will do next in Gaza. Paul Keating reminds us that life in Australia is comparably better than in the US. The Albanese Government is on track to meet 2030 goals for the renewable energy Continue reading »
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Denigrating refugees: Media Watch is no exception
Australian citizens and residents who originally came to this country seeking asylum, as they are clearly entitled to do under international law, have been in the news recently, through no fault of their own and not in a good way. Sections of the media and some politicians have attacked them for doing what all citizens Continue reading »
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Liberal Party is yet to heed the message sent in Werribee
State and federal oppositions will draw encouragement from the byelection result. But neither has shown voters a coherent and credible budget and economic strategy. Continue reading »
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An open letter to ABC chairman Kim Williams
Dear Mr Williams, In June 2024, on assuming the chair of the ABC, you expressed a desire to see the organisation develop a clearer sense of purpose aligned with its charter and, having gained clarity about its purpose, it should seek to understand how that purpose can be embodied in its offerings. Continue reading »
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Letter to the leaders of the civilised world
“Take wisdom from the mouths of mad men” is an old Arabic proverb. It sprang to mind a couple of days ago, when I heard the narcissist leader of the “civilised” world, President Donald Trump, openly calling for the ethnic cleansing of Palestine. Continue reading »
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The lost generation: Gaza’s children and their stolen futures
Rasha was 10 years old when she wrote her will. In simple words, she asked that her belongings be given to those in need if she didn’t survive. A child, too young to dream of death, yet old enough to know it was coming. She was killed soon after. Continue reading »
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Australia’s words on Gaza a far cry from its deeds
Last week, the Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW) wrote to Foreign Minister Wong expressing shock and outrage that Australia had not openly protested US President Trump’s 4 February statement of intent to erase Gaza. Continue reading »
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Economy, Government, Health, Politics//=$this_post['view']?>
Prevention – putting health into healthcare
Health outcomes are about more than access to healthcare services: they are highly dependent on the social and economic determinants of health. Despite lip service to the importance of these factors and preventive health actions, the Australian healthcare system is relentlessly focused on treating sick people, with subsequent economic and social costs incurred by governments, Continue reading »
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Climate, Environment, Politics, Population, The Human Future//=$this_post['view']?>
Here comes the human tsunami…
This year, more than 400 million people are in search of new homes, of food, water and family security. Continue reading »
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AUKUS, Israel / Palestine, Politics//=$this_post['view']?>
A five-minute scroll
Ilan Pappe witnessed his face on a target symbol on TV screens at the airport as he returned to Israel. Australia continues to tug on the “forlock of a fading hegemon”. The ABC calls citing international law antisemitic while Amnesty International calls on German authorities to stop the crackdown on freedom of speech. Continue reading »
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Human Rights, International relations, Israel / Palestine, Politics//=$this_post['view']?>
Australia’s silence on Trump’s ICC sanctions is nothing but shameful
Last Friday 79 nations signed a statement condemning the announcement 24 hours earlier by genocide enabler US President Donald Trump, that he was imposing sanctions on officials of the International Criminal Court because they had issued a warrant for the arrest of architect of genocide of the Palestinian people, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Continue reading »
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China, Foreign affairs, Politics, USA//=$this_post['view']?>
Trump’s Gaza grab shows America is no better than China
Australia’s former top diplomat says Donald Trump may achieve what 75 years of post-war anti-Americanism could not: concede the case for moral equivalence. Continue reading »