The central and tragic truth of the Israel-Palestinian conflict is that two peoples, the Jewish people and the Palestinians, have deep, centuries-long historical ties to a territory no larger than half of Tasmania. Both peoples want their political independence and to live in peace and freedom. It would be contrary to the great principle of equal justice on which the Labor Party operates to affirm a collective right of self-determination for either peoples, while denying it to the other. (more…)
Michael Easson
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The “Israeli Lobby” mischaracterises the diverse, Australian Jewish community
A community as diverse, educated, and dynamic as Australian Jewry is bound to have a variety of opinions and outlooks. (more…)
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Israel and Apartheid: Language matters
George Browning’s critique of Israel as an apartheid state is highly critical of Labor Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese’s refusal to deploy that label. Like Browning, I agree that words matter. Which is why I contest his commentary. This article highlights the background to Browning’s remarks, offers a brief analysis of the apartheid analogy, and offers a social democratic perspective about the Israel-Palestine debate. (more…)
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Australian Labor and Palestine in 2021
I cannot imagine anyone in the ALP in 2021 who does not hope for the emergence of a Palestinian state? How this outcome might occur is where differences emerge. (more…)
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Faithful and Labor: What Labor Ignores at its Peril
The history of the ALP at the national level is one long lesson in humility. More often defeated than victorious, glorious in government but only in retrospect. This is our party.