The recent statements of the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, claiming that Palestinian refugees from the Gaza genocide are a terrorist threat, hark back to old white supremacist assumptions.
Dutton, famous for his walking out of the national apology to the Stolen Generation, his refusal to attend Garma, his amusement at the rising sea levels in the Pacific, his solicitude for white South African farmers, topped his reputation with a friendly visit to Israel in the middle of the genocide.
This time the bigotry was met with a blast from many sides, but not all. Liberals seem to have developed laryngitis. At least former Liberal party member now independent MHR Dai Le, expressed shock at how it would have been if her refugee family had been designated as terrorists.
“A fiery racism row erupted in federal parliament after independent MP Zali Steggall told Peter Dutton to “stop being racist” and dividing the country …”
“…Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who gave his strongest rebuke yet of Dutton by accusing him of “20 years of form” in making divisive remarks about Lebanese and African migrants to Australia.” [SMH, 15 August 2024]
Flags and music
Another two events serve to demonstrate the declining effectiveness of the Israeli lobby.
One was the claim by the Zionist lobby that pro-Palestinian demonstrators were brandishing the Hamas flag.
“The chairperson of the Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Dr Dvir Abramovich, has been left with egg on his face by an ABC Media Watch expose that showed Abramovich fed false information to Melbourne media outlets.” [Michael West Media, 9 August 2024]
3AW and The Herald Sun echoed the lie, claiming it was a ‘declaration of war’.
As the ABC showed, it was a Day of Ashura flag commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (r), the Prophet’s grandson. Nothing to do with Hamas or Palestine. [ABC Media Watch, 5 August 2024]
Michel West Media pointed out “What the Media Watch report didn’t mention was that Abramovich’s organisation – the Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) – is currently the beneficiary of $6 million dollars in federal grant money, dispensed as part of intercultural and religious harmony programs.”
Thanks to the initiative of Josh Frydenberg it seems.
The other event was the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s reaction to a five-minute piece dedicated to the murdered journalists of Gaza by pianist Jayson Gillham.
The MSO cancelled his Thursday performance.
Subscribers revolted.
Then the whole Thursday performance was cancelled, citing security concerns.
Samah Sabawi tweeted it was not security.. “Its because hundreds of patrons called them demanding refunds.”
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance expressed its concern and only a day later the MSO admitted it made an “error” in cancelling the performance. [BBC News, 15 August 2024]
Then musicians of the orchestra passed a motion of no confidence in their senior management.
This was followed by Cat Empire cancelling its joint performance with the MSO in a stand against bigotry.
Another disaster for the Zionist lobby.
The Arts community does not support genocide.
Dutton’s extremism, the claims of the Zionist lobby and News Corp about the Hamas flag and the MSO’s failed bigotry were all met by ferocious, truth defending outrage further exposing the waning influence of the pro-Israeli lobby in Australia.
Failing two party system
There is growing dissatisfaction with the attitude of the Labor Party towards the Gaza genocide and the spread of illegal settlements into the West Bank by the Netanyahu government.
The expulsion of Senator Payman for standing by Labor policy on the recognition of Palestine, exposed the actual policy of the government.
Mealy-mouthed denunciation of settler atrocities on the West Bank and civilian murders in Gaza, while continuing military trade with Israel, convince no-one.
The appointment of a Zionist activist anti-Semitism Envoy and a former security and defence official in invaded Iraq as Social Cohesion Envoy just highlight the hypocrisy.
With an extremist corporate media, a cowardly political class, a racist refugee policy, total subservience to “our great and powerful ally” and constant repetition of hasbara defending Israeli atrocities, a large and growing section of the community, not just the Muslim community, is looking beyond the two old parties towards greater emphasis on progressive independents and Greens.
Rapid exposure of Israeli propaganda, the broadcasting by independent media of double standards in policing terrorism, open attacks by community and independent bodies on attempts to silence dissent, is bringing about social renewal.
No longer will the electorate be satisfied with surface level adherence to the notion of multiculturalism while our parliaments are dominated by the Anglo-Saxon elite.
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