Supporting Palestinians – here and there

February 15, 2026

No honest person could disagree with what John Menadue has written in the wake of Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia. However, I think we should stop using the word ‘war’. Usually it is used as war ‘in’ Gaza or war ‘between’ Israel and Palestine. In contrast, Palestinian Lutheran Pastor Munther Isaac in his book Christ in the Rubble refers to the war ‘on’ Gaza, pointing out just how unequal this fighting is. So maybe only ever genocide or, if that’s a step to far for some (it shouldn’t be), ethnic cleansing?

My thoughts during this time have increasingly turned to Palestinians living amongst us. They only ever get negative press. They are far more likely to experience Islamophobia (though not all are Muslim) than Jews are to experience Antisemitism. And worst of all, how many are ’not’ grieving the loss of family or friends in the genocide? Very few, I suspect. Where is our concern for them, from our government and within our community? Attending or supporting rallies is one thing. How many have shared tears with them? How do we do this? We still have homegrown barriers to cross and things to learn.