Questions to Smith
Once again, great coverage of the Israeli slaughter of Palestinians and their culture, especially Stu Harrison's article plus Salim Vally's article about Apartheid Israel (GLW #790).
Here is a set of what I thought would be simple-to-answer questions to [foreign minister] Stephen Smith.
1. Do you believe it is acceptable for non-Jews to be treated differently from those that belong to the Jewish faith (practising or not)?
2. Do you believe that it is acceptable for non-Jews to be expelled from land they have lived on, sometimes for generations?
3. Your policy on not talking to Hamas is well known as they do not accept the right of Israel to be a Jewish state and advocate violence. Do you intend to not talk to the Israeli government if Avigdor Lieberman is part of the next Israeli government?
It seems either Smith is too busy to respond or he believes that non-Jews in Israel and the Occupied Territories do not have the same rights as Jews.
Now to be honest, there is no actual evidence for the latter, but I do find it odd that even a "yes" or "no" answer could not have been provided.
If, and I don't suggest this is the case, the latter is his view then, for all non-white Australians, I would be careful as surely there is no way this type of policy would happen in "the land of the free"??
Kryten Walia
Penrith, NSW
Megabillions for what?
If Rudd is going to spend megabillions on something, how about spending them on a just transition from digging up and burning (or shipping out) coal, to a decent energy system? I am sure we will really enjoy our broadband access when our homes are burned, flooded, or blown away.
The more I see of this government, completely bought off by the fossil fuel industries, the more I realise that we have to take up our responsibility as citizens. We must protest for our survival.
@letterauth= Stephen Langford
Paddington, NSW
Congratulations
Congratulations to the DSP and Resistance for the outstanding conference held over Easter. It was one of the
most uplifting, informative and inspiring conferences I have ever attended in decades of political commitment.
The timing was perfect — when capitalism and those infatuated with it are staring into a financial abyss and the world is coming to recognise that the catastrophic effects of climate change cannot be avoided or delayed while maintaining a reckless economic system based on private and corporate profit.
Organising and managing the conference must have been a huge and daunting task. Many thanks to those whose hard work (before and after the conference) made it all possible. The main sessions and the numerous workshops were well coordinated and adjudicated. The main sessions were so inspiring that the workshops which followed were mostly full to capacity.
More than 15 speakers from around the world presented their own experiences, analyses and passion for the struggle for socialism. Their different political nuances added to the value of the conference. I was also impressed that other competing left wing organisations were present and provided with tables to present their own political perspectives in a pleasing non-sectarian gesture that was also reflected in a number of speeches.
The success of the conference augurs well for the prospects of strengthening the movement for socialism in Australia.
Haskell Musry
Socialist Alliance member
Bondi Junction, NSW