I HAVE been visiting Robinvale, Swan Hill, Jung and Horsham during this week but it has been hard to escape the horrific images that we have all regrettably seen or read about from Israel.
The start of another war is nothing but tragic. And one thing is certain – war should never, ever be glorified.
We see Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, which has raged for more than 12 months, and now the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Call me a flower child of the 70s if you will, but all effort must be made to bring about peace.
For those who have experienced the attack by Hamas on Israel this week, the stories are worse than atrocious.
I don’t know how we would react if they were our babies slaughtered in cold blood.
And yet, in Sydney, Melbourne and around the world, groups have come out and rejoiced at the attacks on Israel.
This is fundamentally wrong and should be strongly condemned by every decent person.
The NSW Labor Government intended to mourn with Israel by putting the flag on the Opera House this week.
It should have been a moment of solidarity with those in Israel who have been mercilessly treated and killed.
Instead we see those who sympathise with the actions of terrorist group Hamas permitted by the NSW Government and Police to make their anti-Semitic views known right on the steps of that illuminated Opera House.
NSW Premier Chris Minns called the decision by the police “operational” – this is a sad deflection of responsibility.
Instead, a man carrying an Israeli flag found himself arrested “for his own personal safety” and his flag confiscated. In whose mind is this reasonable or rational?
I agree with those who are calling for the Minister of Police Yasmin Catley to be sacked.
Hamas’ attacks and anyone condoning them are an outrage against democracy, goodwill and human decency. This is something that should disturb every Australian.
