That is so true, Geoff. Luckily we have some Australian Labour MP’s who know right from wrong – fiction from fact and historical accuracy from historical hysteria. They surely understand the mechanics of Hamas and Fatah and how it’s imperative for Israel to keep doing what its doing. It absolutely flaws me that commentators on these pages blame Israel for defending her shores. I quite wish at times that Hamas and Fatah could jump these ignorant writer’s back fences and show them a bit of what its like for innocent Israelis. Now wouldn’t that change their collective minds in a hurry? Maybe not, maybe they would continue to blame Israel because they are just plain antisemitic and nothing will ever change their minds – they just have it in for the Jewish people no matter what.

Israel is the creator of its own fall in the opinion of the international community. Blaming others for ones own failings is counterproductive.

It would be good if Melissa Park were to acknowledge that fact and take a good hard look at the so- called “blockade” of Gaza where about 700 trucks per day, carrying food and other supplies for that area, pass through the “blockade” which is similar to the situation with Egypt.But the United Nation does not often mention Egypt because the latter gives not much impetus to sensationalism. Check out the the maritime ” blockade” where the last ship,stacked with TV and newspaper commentators, carried two boxes of stuff which nobody really needed, just for the purpose of further screaming “blockade” to the media and the United Nations.

Manfred Gerstenfeld in his latest book ” The war of a million Cuts”
discusses the pandemic of antisemitism. As a most important way to counteract this phenomenon he advocates the establishment of an agency by the Israeli Government which is well funded and staffed by experts to counteract the world-wide propaganda by people such as Melissa Park and her cohorts. It will be a long struggle , by TV, the printed media and the internet, but hopefully an ultimately successful one.

Ms Parke has been speaking this “speak” for years and years (her electorate is not far from mine) – and clearly she is in bad company judging by the list above.. She is playing Russian Roulette with her career in politics, in fact, by associating with some of them.

I’m sure She has NEVER been invited to Israel by some of her learned, LISTED colleagues.. Nor, to my knowledge, has she EVER taken the time to speak to her Labour or Liberal counterparts in Australia who HAVE been to Israel to learn the REAL lie of the land.

Reading between her lines she seems to detest:

1. Large refugee camps – yes, the world should be rid of them. Calling Gaza a refugee camp is not only offensive to Palestinian peoples, but would surely upset Hamas and Fatah. They are doing their level best to spend ALL their local and International financial aid building a democratic territory with all the best intent on repairing infrastructure to a level that they could create a peaceful “home”. Isn’t that what you would expect them to be doing, Ms Parke? Yes, I thought so.

And, Ms Parke, are you going to blame Israel for Hamas’ and Fatah’s lack of ability to run a small country properly? Why don’t you go there and share some of your legal and diplomatic prowess with them? I’m sure they will gladly take notes. Or are they just too busy wishing and BLAMING ISRAEL into the sea? Perhaps you can join in with them?

2. WHAT INDEED devastates the Gazan economy, impedes reconstruction from past bombings, separates families, prevents students from studying abroad, and hurts fishermen and farmers, who cannot pursue their livelihoods near the Buffer Zone without risk of being shot IS HAMAS AND FATAH, NOT ISRAEL.[2] (FAO fact sheet, 25 May 2010 )

WHAT INDEED denies the people of Gaza legal right to live in peace, freedom and dignity, to resist military occupation, and to flee when attacked, as many of them once did to arrive in Gaza IS INDEED THEIR OWN INABILITY TO DEMAND MORE from HAMAS AND FATAH, as you know fully well, Ms Parke! Or have you been living under a rock in Fremantle? Do you not read RELIABLE AND ACADEMIC reports of the situation? Do you truly understand what Obama’s position is? And Egypt’s for that matter? Do you truly understand what is going on there? I think not! Why don’t you create a little junket for yourself – or better still, find out which one of our Labour or Liberal MP’s is going again – soon – and join them too!

One last word. There is no shame in caring about the underdog of this world. (That, at this point in time, would include ANYBODY who is in the way of ISIS!) In fact, we Jewish people make it our business to care about others – as you know from the media, Ms Parke. If you are so concerned about the plight of the Palestinians, Ms Parke, may I suggest you do some homework, REAL HOMEWORK, and put your considerable talent to SOME REAL GOOD USE by spending time in that part of the world trying to convince HAMAS AND FATAH to lead the same peaceful life you have been able to lead in your precious Fremantle, Ms Parke.

EVERYBODY deserves to live in peace – ESPECIALLY THE ISRAELIS! (Now go and do some historical research of the region – especially find out what REALLY happened in 1948 and 1967 – and tell some of your cronies on that list above. They need all the help they can get!)

Israel’s defensive maritime blockade is the sort of normal, legal procedure that many countries have used, but, of course, there are different “rules” for us.
Who would have imagined that in this land of freedom, of democracy and enlightened values there would be people who support a regime and culture that aim to repeat what the nazis did?
Oh, that’s right, Germany in the `1930’s was also an enlightened, democratic state (The Weimar Republic) until the nazis took control.