In October 2023 we got a few impressions of the way things are developing on the world stage. The defeat of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament demonstrated that racism is alive and well and colonisation and its effects have not ended here or elsewhere, and the pattern of world powers is evolving.
Heartening was the strong Yes vote in the former Liberal strongholds of inner city, middle class electorates of Teal MPs, suggesting that the No supporting Liberal Party should lose hope.
Rural areas with a strong history of racist bigotry voted No in large numbers. For example the Parkes electorate where a few decades ago Aboriginal children were not allowed in the Moree swimming pool, voted 79.39 per cent No.
In contrast “Regions with a high proportion of Indigenous Australians overwhelmingly voted yes in the referendum – including the community where prominent no campaigner Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s family is from.” [15 October 2023 Guardian]
Murderous History
During this vicious campaign, David Marr published “Killing for Country,” a brilliant exposition of the universal colonial process of occupation of land, then resistance from the indigenous.
Their hostile action leads to revenge by superior force and genocide.
The Native Police were recruited from tamed areas and deployed in distant lands to eradicate tribes with whom they felt no affinity.
During the Referendum campaign we saw similar use of indigenous faces to put the No case, to great effect.
Colonial Palestine
While this was going on in Australia, the pattern of colonialism was still being played out in Gaza.
The pattern of occupation, resistance, revenge by colonisers, increased resistance then genocide, is all happening.
The grievances were clear.
Hamas stated that “Al Aqsa Flood” was because the situation had become intolerable. The 17 year siege, the repeated invasion of Al Aqsa by Israeli colonists, indiscriminate killings of Gazans by Israel and the uncontrolled colonisation of Palestinian land was too much.
When they peacefully demonstrated against Israel they were shot at. The world was silent.
When an article in AMUST was published against these crimes, lobbyists in Australia accused it of promoting the blood libel against Jews. [AMUST, 21 June 2018]
Truth is indeed the casualty when the interests of Israel are challenged.
When organisations claiming the Islamic title take action, they must abide by Islamic principles.
Oppressed people in their frustration can react in ways which must be condemned.
The people of Cambodia were driven to the point of irrationality by American bombing in the 1970’s and it produced the madness of the Khmer Rouge.
The insanity of the Gaza nightmare can be expected to produce very angry and frustrated resisters.
“The international community has for years neglected the plight of the 2.3 million Palestinians living under a 16-year-long Israeli siege in the open-air prison that is the Gaza strip and subjected to almost daily attacks by Israel.” [Jonathan Kuttab Arab Center Washington DC, 10 Oct]
The Muslim world understands something of what Palestine is enduring as most of it has experienced generations of British, French or Italian colonisation in the last century.
Settler colonisation has been eradicated everywhere except in Palestine and should be resisted.
However it is impossible to condone the taking of civilian hostages and the killing of non-combatants.
It is also impossible to condone collective punishment, the stopping of medical supplies, water, food, electricity and fuel to a whole population because some of its members have been guilty of offences.
The EU, the USA and Australia biased support of the extreme coloniser supporting Netanyahu government and its neglect of the rights of the Palestinian people have shocked a new generation.
Harbingers of Change
The exposure of racism, exemplified by the success of the politically motivated No campaign will bring about national reflection.
Awareness that the genocide has not ended has grown.
The gap in life expectancy, suicide rates, incarceration rates, educational levels and employment opportunities remains.
The other harbinger is world wide reaction to the destruction of Gaza and the cowardly response of the USA, the EU and Australia.
Their ability to defend human rights in the rest of the world is destroyed.
The status of the BRICs countries increases, along with their assault on the dollar.
Brazil had to take the initiative against the Israeli genocide.
Doctors Without Borders, operating on children without anaesthetic, will be the US/EU/Australian memorial to Gaza.
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