Letter
Ambassador's expulsion
I have to object to the thrust and tone of Cameron Leckie’s opinion piece “Gaslighting the electorate, virtue signalling to our partners”.
Nothing happens in a vacuum. However there is credible evidence that Iran has paid criminal gangs to attack property in Australia. This requires a diplomatic response.
It would be inappropriate to banish an ambassador for what another country is doing to its neighbours outside Australia, terrible though it is. We have not banished the Russian ambassador for its invasion of Ukraine, terrible though it is.
I participated in the Sydney Harbour bridge walk, along with at least 90,000 other Australians. Our aim was, and is, to support justice for Palestinians and recognition of the state of Palestine. Almost all the placarding and chanting and vibe was explicitly pro Palestine.
Our government is focusing on Palestine and Palestinians and is vehemently opposed to what is now happening and intended to happen in Palestine. Israel and America are vehemently opposed to what we are saying and doing.
Russia has invaded Ukraine. There is historical cause but no just cause for invasion. There is no “war against Russia”. It should negotiate and pause and is refusing to do either.
— David Hind from North Sydney