On May 30, 2010, Green Left Weekly published an article titled “Australia expels diplomat but remains ‘firm friend’ of Israel”. It contained the untrue and defamatory suggestion that Paul Howes, National Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, was thrilled by the killing of Palestinian Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhoh in Dubai in January this year.
The article refers to an opinion piece published in the Herald Sun on March 7, 2010, and claims Paul Howes stated that the killing of al-Mabhouh was “daring, indeed thrillingly bold”. We advise that our reference to the Herald Sun opinion piece was mistaken. Paul Howes did not publish these statements on March 7, 2010, in the Herald Sun.
GLW wishes to unequivocally withdraw and retract statements concerning Paul Howes in the article of May 30, 2010. GLW sincerely apologies to Paul Howes for any hurt or distress caused by our false and defamatory suggestions.