Pearls and Irritations

Duly browbeaten by Zionists and Zionism, many Australian politicians fear to question Israeli terror. Evidence for that assertion has accumulated over years but was displayed last week in the lukewarm regrets expressed when an estimated 100 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombs dropped on a school in northern Gaza.

To add insult to barbarity, mainstream media immediately featured Israel’s propaganda chief Admiral Hagari trotting out the usual claim that militants were in the school and, surprise surprise, Israel did everything to limit civilian casualties.

Zionist dramatisation of Israel’s virtues has been so effective that government Ministers were not sufficiently brave to say ‘Hagari you lie, we recommend recall of our ambassador and an end to Australia’s support for your country at least until your government ends this love of slaughter and destruction.’

The reference to politicians being browbeaten and brainwashed into adopting Zionist views, needs documentation and explanation.

Zionism is an invasive, violent ideology. Responsible for decades of death and destruction experienced by Palestinians, it is not the same as Jewish identity and differs significantly from the values and principles of Judaism. Federal members of the major political parties seldom make this distinction.

Also defined in terms of colonial exploitation of other people’s lands and livelihoods, Zionism’s success is demonstrated in the slaughter of Palestinians, the torture of thousands and total disregard of international law.

By supporting Zionists and Zionism, government and coalition politicians have hindered efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. In quiet moments, some Federal members might condemn Israeli genocide, yet still insist that Israel must be supported.

This destructive, non-discerning way of thinking has been accepted by leading members of Australian governments.

In December 2016 in response to the unanimously supported UN Resolution 2334 which declared Israeli settlements illegal, the Israeli government threatened diplomatic reprisals against countries that voted in favour of the resolution.

In response to the 14-0 vote in favour of that resolution, (the US abstained), Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop declared, ‘I would like to see which international law declares settlements illegal’. She assured the Israel government that Australia would not have voted for the resolution, and in February 2017, just before the arrival in Australia of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Prime Minister Turnbull rebuked critics of Israel’s aggressive settlement building.

On October 14, 2021, the Scott Morrison government adopted the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism which in essence insists that criticism of Israeli government policies is anti-Semitic. Critics judged the definition ‘imprecise, confusing, open to misinterpretation and even manipulation’ (barrister Geoffrey Robertson) and ‘impoverished, ignorant, slovenly’ (US author Norman Finkelstein).

Nevertheless, Jillian Segal head of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry campaigned for acceptance of this definition and on its adoption by the Morrison government, she announced, ‘This is a watershed in Australia in the unending battle against anti-Semitism… I also acknowledge the support of a great many parliamentarians from the government and opposition, including Federal Opposition leader Albanese.’

Ingratiating yourself with supposed influential people may seem sickening but it works. In the tradition of a lobby which believes everyone should adopt their views, Segal advised, ‘It (this definition) will need to be adopted by the public and private sectors, the University sector and sporting organisations.’

In July 2024, as his special envoy to inquire into anti-Semitism, Prime Minister Albanese appointed Jillian Segal. Even a modest inquiry into her attitudes and activities should have raised questions whether there was any difference between Zionists’ priorities and Australian government policies?

During the slaughter in Gaza, Segal insisted there should be no ceasefire until every hostage had been released. She repeated the false claim that Hamas had beheaded children in their beds, and she lobbied vice Chancellors to take disciplinary action against students camping in protest against the Gaza war.

For her blatantly pro-Israel stand, Segal was rewarded with this three year appointment as an envoy for anti-Semitism.

She was not the first Zionist to enjoy a cosy relationship with governments. Influential Melbourne lawyer Mark Leibler published advice on how to lobby in support of Israel: choose an appropriate style and manner of lobbying, get the timing right, support Israel but don’t appear to be their mouthpiece.

In a biography of Leibler, ‘The Power Broker’, Michael Gawenda records the Zionist lawyer boasting about his warm relationship with Prime Minister Gillard and his intimate access to Israel’s secret intelligence service Mossad. Gawenda also reports a meeting in the Lodge with Prime Minister Rudd in which Leibler threatened that Gillard might succeed him, which she did.

A recent and bizarre example of a leading government politician appearing to be unashamedly supportive of Zionism occurred at a Zionist plenary conference held in September 2023 in Sydney’s Central synagogue. Backgrounded by placards advertising the Zionist Federation of Australia, Defence Minister Richard Marles was a key conference participant.

What was this Labor Minister doing there?

Invited to contribute to a Q&A session, Marles’ presence could be claimed to represent support for Israeli policies. In expressing his gratitude to Marles, Jeremy Leibler, son of Mark, did not miss the opportunity. ‘Regardless of where you sit on the political spectrum’, he said, ‘Zionism is about doing. It is about engaging’, presumably with people of influence wherever they could be found ? Marles finished by declaring, ‘It was a pleasure to join members of the Australian Jewish community at the Zionist Federation of Australia’s plenary conference.’

Zionist influence pervades ways of thinking in public institutions not just within political parties.

In February 2024, members of Australia’s Human Rights Commission protested at the Commission’s silence over the continuing slaughter of men, women and children in Gaza. Staff across eight of the commission’s teams wrote an open letter to commission president Rosalind Croucher expressing their frustration at the Commission’s failure to fulfil its mandate as an accredited national human rights institution.

It seldom happens that public servants openly challenge Zionists’ indifference to international law and oppose their efforts to stifle criticism of IDF brutalities.

Not deterred by Israel’s indifference to international law, let alone by that country’s continued slaughter of Palestinians, starvation of their children, sexual abuse and torture of prisoners, opposition leader Peter Dutton has just visited Israel where he declared that connections between Australia and Israel are ‘deep and abiding.’

Organised by the Australia Israel Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), Dutton was accompanied by Zionist leader of AIJAC Colin Rubinstein and by AIJAC executive manager Jal Bernie. The Liberal party Zionist alliance appears rock solid.

In his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Dutton gives the ingratiating, treacly assurance that Australia’s relationship with Israel is ‘built around our devotion to democracy in a world where our values and way of life face old and new threats.’

At a time when Netanyahu wants a war in Gaza to continue and is reluctant to agree to a ceasefire, no-one asked, what values, what way of life?

Answers to those questions lie in Ilan Pappe’s recent book ‘Lobbying for Zionism on both sides of the Atlantic.’

Pappe asks that politicians, journalists and a general public learn even a little of the Zionists’ record. They have condoned Israel’s flagrant breaches of international law, have enabled that country to obtain unprecedented military aid, denied Palestinians’ rights and indulged in smear campaigns against anyone who might question unconditional support for Israel.

In Australia, politicians’ gullible acceptance of Zionist influence needs to be more widely known. It also needs to be opposed with the same vehemence aimed at other forms of right wing extremism.

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