Peter Dutton lands in Israel

Shane Shmuel I 30 July 2024 The Spectator Australia

The Hon Peter Dutton has announced his arrival in Israel, where he will meet with senior members of the Israeli government and the community affected by the October 7 attacks. The media release emphasises the strong and enduring connection between Australia and Israel.

However, the current Labor government, supported by the Greens and Teals, has not upheld this relationship. Prime Minister Albanese declined multiple times to visit Israel post-attacks, possibly to avoid upsetting the radical Muslim population in Australia and due to his alliance with the Greens. Although Penny Wong visited, she did not tour the attack sites and appreciate the gravity of the attacks. A complete and utter lack of respect, particularly when an Australian citizen, Galit Carbone was murdered at Kibbutz Be’eri. Nearly 10 months later, the implications are loud and clear.

Labor has not only reinstated but increased funding to UNRWA, despite evidence of its complicity and involvement in the attacks, indoctrination of children in Gazan schools, weapon storage in their facilities and employee homes, and even hostage participation. The Greens and Teals supported this move by signing a joint letter. Labor has been notably silent on the hostages held by Hamas, which is fundamental. Additionally, Labor has granted visas to Palestinians without sufficient security checks and has done nothing to reverse the rapid decline in social cohesion, particularly after celebrations following the attacks, including disturbing scenes at the Sydney Opera House on October 9 last year. The chants showed the ugliest form of racism and hatred. Whether the chants were ‘gas the Jews’, ‘F the Jews’ or what the Police say was chanted ‘where are the Jews’, each is just as vile and abhorrent as the next. Labor gave the demonstrators a free pass. Tony Burke failed to condemn a radical Islamic preacher in his electorate who said he was ‘elated’ at the atrocities. Tony Burke’s seat is in the epicentre of a radical Islamic seat in Australia. Why would he stand against his voters, regardless of what our values stand for! As the new Immigration Minister, g-d help us given his previous failures in this role!

The rise in hate speech, particularly anti-Semitic demonstrations, and attacks on Jewish schools and students, evokes reminders of 1930s Europe. Under the banner of ‘free speech’ we have seen hate speech demonstrations on our city streets, on university campuses, graffiti on Jewish schools, students attacked and told they are not welcome on campus or even in Australia.

‘Go back to Poland!’ has been yelled at Jews disregarding their diverse origins from various countries, including the former USSR, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Ethiopia, and Morocco. So much for their Critical Race Theory. The notion that skin colour dictates right or wrong is flawed; actions are what matter, but what would I know? I digress.

While in Israel, Peter Dutton may have the unfortunate task of apologising to Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog on behalf of Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong and their government, promising to restore the strong relationship as well as social cohesion under a future Coalition government. The Coalition have consistently shown their strong support for Israel and the Jewish community in Australia, contrasting sharply with the current government’s approach of hostility and criticism. Let us also be reminded that he isn’t the only Coalition minister to have made a solidarity visit to Israel. This isn’t even the same Labor party as that led by Julia Gillard and even Kim Beazley just a few years ago.

Australia must cease appeasing those who undermine its values, freedoms, and inclusiveness. Real leadership is needed to uphold the foundational Judeo-Christian values of Australia. One does not need to be religious to appreciate those values. Dutton’s visit to Israel underscores his dedication to our allies, courage, and steadfast adherence to these values, unlike the current Labor, Teals, and Greens, who focus more on self-interest. They should focus on pressing domestic issues like cost of living and crime instead of enabling the deterioration of social cohesion.

Learning from history is crucial to prevent repeating its darkest chapters, a lesson reinforced by the words ‘those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it’ seen at the Auschwitz Death Camp in Poland where over a million people, mostly Jews, as well as other minorities including political prisoners and homosexuals were killed.

It is time that we restore this country back to where we were just a few short years ago before it is too late.

Author: Shane Shmuel