/qnotables/ - ===Q Notables===

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22118085 (061337ZDEC24) Notable: Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says Labor’s Palestine support in the UN will invite more terrorism - The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticised the Albanese government over its retreating support for Israel and promotion of Palestinian statehood at the UN, describing these actions as ­rewards for terrorism and suggesting Australia may no longer be a “key ally” of the Jewish state. In comments provided exclusively to The Australian, the office of Mr Netanyahu said the “disappointing” change in position at the UN would undoubtedly “invite more terrorism” and “more anti-Semitic riots” on Western campuses and city centres, “including in Australia”. Australia voted on Wednesday (AEDT) in favour of Israel withdrawing its “unlawful presence” from the West Bank, Gaza and eastern Jerusalem, marking a two-decade change in Canberra’s position on the matter. The resolution, which passed by 157-8, also called for settlers to be removed from the West Bank and will also see a conference held in June 2025, in New York, to chart an “irreversible pathway” ­towards a Palestinian state. A separate UN vote calling on Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights, which was part of Syria until 1967, was not supported. Australia ­abstained from a third vote. The statement provided by Mr Netanyahu’s office said Australia’s position amounted to a reward for terrorists who abducted 250 hostages - 101 of whom remain in captivity, including children, young women and elderly men – and slaughtered 1200 ­people on October 7 last year. “Australia’s flip flop is disappointing,” the statement said, marking the first time Mr Netanyahu’s office has commented ­directly on the actions of Australia and the Albanese government. “Awarding anti-Semitism and terrorism with a state in the heart of the Jewish ancient homeland and cradle of civilisation will invite more terrorism and more anti-Semitic riots at campuses and city centres, including in Australia.”

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Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says Labor’s Palestine support in the UN will invite more terrorism

YONI BASHAN - December 05, 2024

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The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticised the Albanese government over its retreating support for Israel and promotion of Palestinian statehood at the UN, describing these actions as ­rewards for terrorism and suggesting Australia may no longer be a “key ally” of the Jewish state.

In comments provided exclusively to The Australian, the office of Mr Netanyahu said the “disappointing” change in position at the UN would undoubtedly “invite more terrorism” and “more anti-Semitic riots” on Western campuses and city centres, “including in Australia”.

Australia voted on Wednesday (AEDT) in favour of Israel withdrawing its “unlawful presence” from the West Bank, Gaza and eastern Jerusalem, marking a two-decade change in Canberra’s position on the matter.

The resolution, which passed by 157-8, also called for settlers to be removed from the West Bank and will also see a conference held in June 2025, in New York, to chart an “irreversible pathway” ­towards a Palestinian state. A separate UN vote calling on Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights, which was part of Syria until 1967, was not supported. Australia ­abstained from a third vote.

The statement provided by Mr Netanyahu’s office said Australia’s position amounted to a reward for terrorists who abducted 250 hostages – 101 of whom remain in captivity, including children, young women and elderly men – and slaughtered 1200 ­people on October 7 last year.

“Australia’s flip flop is disappointing,” the statement said, marking the first time Mr Netanyahu’s office has commented ­directly on the actions of Australia and the Albanese government.

“Awarding anti-Semitism and terrorism with a state in the heart of the Jewish ancient homeland and cradle of civilisation will invite more terrorism and more anti-Semitic riots at campuses and city centres, including in Australia.”

While not specifically naming Hamas, the statement makes greater mention of the shambolic and hostile Palestinian Authority as an obvious leader in any future Palestinian state, even though it maintains a longstanding policy of paying salaries to imprisoned terrorists and to the families of dead terrorists who had killed Israelis.

Palestinian Authority leaders met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Ramallah in January during her tour of the region. In sharpened language, the Prime Minister’s office said the Palestinian Authority had yet to denounce the atrocities of October 7 that were “carried out by Palestinian terrorists”, and that Australia ­appeared intent on rewarding them for it.

“To the contrary, they have embraced those atrocities that ­included the rape, murder and ­beheading of Jews. It’s a shame that the current Australian government wants to award these savages with a state.”

The statement ends with a not so subtle remark indicating just how badly relations have deteriorated between Australia and Israel over the past year.

“Thankfully, our key allies support Israel as we strive for true peace and security” – a statement that may be interpreted as a suggestion that Australia is no longer regarded as a longstanding ally.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22118112 (061340ZDEC24) Notable: Benjamin Netanyahu calls out Australia’s historic retreat from Israel on the world stage - "The break has been coming for months, but Benjamin Netan­yahu’s stinging rebuke of the Albanese government’s position on Israel has all but fractured two decades of bipartisan Australian support for the Jewish state. Known as Bibi, the Israeli Prime Minister doesn’t mince words, claiming Australia’s progressive abandonment of Israel in the UN will reward anti-Semitism and terrorism, as he made it clear he no longer sees Australia as a “key” ally of Israel. This is a big moment for Australian policy in the Middle East. The supposedly rock-solid support Australia gave to Israel in the wake of the October 7 massacre of its people by Hamas has suffered a death by a thousand cuts to the point Australia is edging closer to being an open critic of Israel’s conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Put simply, Foreign Minister Penny Wong by her many actions in recent months has made it clear she believes Israel’s retribution against Hamas in Gaza has caused such excessive civilian deaths that Israel can no longer claim the moral high ground it initially held after the horrific events of October 7. The critical question the government needs to answer is why change course now, when fighting is continuing in Gaza and when Hamas is still holding hostages and is yet to surrender? The war in Gaza has made a two state-solution more unlikely and more distant than ever before. The corrupt and anti-Israeli Palestinian Authority is hardly suited to running a Palestinian state even if a final agreement could be reached. But the cauldron of war in the Middle East during the past 14 months means any two-state solution is so far from being realised that it has become - for now – almost a hypothetical concept. The notion that Australia suddenly wants to fast track a process that is clearly unworkable at this time reeks of political opportunism ahead of next year’s election rather than any genuine effort to seek a constructive solution to conflict in the Middle East." - Cameron Stewart - theaustralian.com.au

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Benjamin Netanyahu calls out Australia’s historic retreat from Israel on the world stage

CAMERON STEWART - December 05, 2024

The break has been coming for months, but Benjamin Netan­yahu’s stinging rebuke of the Albanese government’s position on Israel has all but fractured two decades of bipartisan Australian support for the Jewish state.

Known as Bibi, the Israeli Prime Minister doesn’t mince words, claiming Australia’s progressive abandonment of Israel in the UN will reward anti-Semitism and terrorism, as he made it clear he no longer sees Australia as a “key” ally of Israel.

This is a big moment for Australian policy in the Middle East. The supposedly rock-solid support Australia gave to Israel in the wake of the October 7 massacre of its people by Hamas has suffered a death by a thousand cuts to the point Australia is edging closer to being an open critic of Israel’s conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Put simply, Foreign Minister Penny Wong by her many actions in recent months has made it clear she believes Israel’s retribution against Hamas in Gaza has caused such excessive civilian deaths that Israel can no longer claim the moral high ground it initially held after the horrific events of October 7.

This has demoted Australia’s traditional willingness to go the extra mile to defend Israel in ­international forums and on the world stage.

Hence we saw Australia give qualified support for the recent decision by the International Criminal Court to issue warrants for Netanyahu’s arrest, refusing to state whether it would actually ­arrest the Israeli’s leader if he visited the country.

Now we have seen Australia reverse 20 years of abstaining to support a resolution urging the “the realisation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination and the right to their independent state”.

That same resolution also demanded that “Israel bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible”.

The controversy here for Australia is not so much in the wording of these resolutions. It has long been standard bipartisan policy for Australia to support an eventual two-state resolution and to be critical of the continued push, by Netanyahu especially, to extend destabilising Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.

A total of 156 other countries also backed this resolution, including all of western Europe, the UK, New Zealand and Canada.

The critical question the government needs to answer is why change course now, when fighting is continuing in Gaza and when Hamas is still holding hostages and is yet to surrender?

The timing of these progressive moves against Israel in the UN – a body famously hostile to Israel – gives the impression to every anti-Israeli terrorist group that there will be diplomatic rewards for bloodshed against the Jewish state. What’s more, the war in Gaza has made a two state-solution more unlikely and more distant than ever before.

The corrupt and anti-Israeli Palestinian Authority is hardly suited to running a Palestinian state even if a final agreement could be reached. But the cauldron of war in the Middle East during the past 14 months means any two-state solution is so far from being realised that it has become – for now – almost a hypothetical concept.

The notion that Australia suddenly wants to fast track a process that is clearly unworkable at this time reeks of political opportunism ahead of next year’s election rather than any genuine effort to seek a constructive solution to conflict in the Middle East.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/benjamin-netanyahu-calls-out-australias-historic-retreat-from-israel-on-the-world-stage/news-story/b1f6ecbbdf38b7ae33449a74fdec3e91

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22118150 (061345ZDEC24) Notable: Arson attack:Police seek two masked men over ‘deliberately lit fire’ at Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne- More than 60 firefighters have fought a blaze ignited after a suspected arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue early on Friday morning. The fire began at Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne around 4.10am at Ripponlea in Melbourne’s southeast. Victorian arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said the “deliberately lit fire” was first caught by a witness who arrived at the synagogue to begin morning prayers. Yumi Friedman was the first person to call police as he witnessed the attack unfold from inside. “I was studying in the synagogue and (heard) a big bang on the door with a sledge hammer… then I heard another sledge hammer (hit) the glass and saw the glass flying. He was among dozens of congregation members who gathered outside the synagogue on Friday morning alongside other neighbours, police and firefighters, who pumped water from trucks inside the building. Mr Friedman alleged two people wearing balaclavas and carrying Jerry cans initiated the attack. “We’re just minding our own business, coming to pray and to learn and study, he said. Anthony Albanese said he had been briefed on the attack by the Australian Federal Police. “I unequivocally condemn the attack on a Melbourne synagogue early this morning. I have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia,” the Prime Minister said in a statement. “This violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage. This attack has risked lives and is clearly aimed at creating fear in the community. The people involved must be caught and face the full force of the law. The Commonwealth will provide full assistance to Victorian authorities. This deliberate, unlawful attack goes against everything we are as Australians and everything we have worked so hard to build as a nation.”

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Police seek two masked men over ‘deliberately lit fire’ at Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne

JAMES DOWLING - 6 December 2024

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More than 60 firefighters have fought a blaze ignited after a suspected arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue early on Friday morning.

The fire began at Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne around 4.10am at Ripponlea in Melbourne’s southeast.

Victorian arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said the “deliberately lit fire” was first caught by a witness who arrived at the synagogue to begin morning prayers.

“A witness who was attending morning prayers entered the synagogue, and upon entering has seen two individuals who were wearing masks, for want of a better word,” Det Insp Murray said.

“They appeared to be spreading an accelerant of some type inside the premises. This individual has left. Police were subsequently called to the premises, where the premises has been engulfed and has suffered extensive damage.

“We believe it was captured on CCTV. To what extent, we don’t know. That’s something we’ll undertake as it’s only early days at the moment. We haven’t been able to retrieve that but that’s certainly an avenue of inquiry we’ll look at.”

Synagogue board member Binyomin Klein told the Herald Sun two people in the synagogue were forced to flee after an accelerant was splashed into the building from outside.

“They saw people throw liquid inside and light it on fire,” Mr Klein said. “The two guys had to run out the back door … One of them got burns on his hands.”

He said the motive for the alleged attack remains unclear.

“This synagogue is one of the busiest in Australia … The synagogue is the centre of the community,” he said. “For the jewel in the crown to be burnt like that is horrendous.”

“This synagogue was built by Holocaust survivors and this just brings back terrible memories.”

Yumi Friedman was the first person to call police as he witnessed the attack unfold from inside.

“I was studying in the synagogue and (heard) a big bang on the door with a sledge hammer… then I heard another sledge hammer (hit) the glass and saw the glass flying.

He was among dozens of congregation members who gathered outside the synagogue on Friday morning alongside other neighbours, police and firefighters, who pumped water from trucks inside the building.

Mr Friedman alleged two people wearing balaclavas and carrying Jerry cans initiated the attack.

“We’re just minding our own business, coming to pray and to learn and study, he said.

Arrest ‘first priority’

Det Insp Murray said the “first priority” of police was to secure an arrest.

“In my capacity as officer-in-charge of the arson squad, I’m here personally to provide some reassurance to the community that we are taking this absolutely seriously,” Det Insp Murray said.

“Our first and foremost priority is to identify those individuals that are responsible for this. We believe it was deliberate, we believe it has been targeted. What we don’t know is why. We’ll get to the why.

“We will do everything we can to bring these individuals before the courts.”

No one was injured during the incident, but the synagogue sustained significant damage, police said in a statement.

‘Outrage’: Albanese

Anthony Albanese said he had been briefed on the attack by the Australian Federal Police.

“I unequivocally condemn the attack on a Melbourne synagogue early this morning. I have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

“This violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage. This attack has risked lives and is clearly aimed at creating fear in the community. The people involved must be caught and face the full force of the law.

“The Commonwealth will provide full assistance to Victorian authorities. This deliberate, unlawful attack goes against everything we are as Australians and everything we have worked so hard to build as a nation.”

Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne, the Prime Minister said it was “a terrible morning to awake to this news which all Australians should unequivocally condemn”.

“This is a community that very much revolves around the synagogue. Many Holocaust survivors came from Hungary, in particular after World War II, and it’s been a centre of community activity. It’s a peaceful organisation and community and this attack is just an outrage.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22120571 (062246ZDEC24) Notable: Labor’s UN posturing ‘rewards’ anti-Semitism, former minister Mike Kelly says - Former Labor minister Mike Kelly has linked Anthony Albanese’s support for pro-Palestine motions in the UN with the torching of a Melbourne Synagogue, urging him to “join the dots” between its hard line stance against Israel and surging anti-Semitism. The Labor Friends of Israel co-convener said some party members were now tearing up their membership cards in protest at the government’s hostility towards the Jewish state, believing the government was “betraying” the legacy of ALP giants Ben Chifley and HV “Doc” Evatt. Amid national outrage over the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue on Friday morning, Mr Kelly said anti-Semitic extremists saw the government’s support for anti-Israel motions in the UN as a “reward for their lawlessness and their violence”. “The government has been making a series of decisions like this and very clearly, this only encourages the extremists to go further,” he told The Australian. “This is obviously not intentional by the government, but it’s really disturbing that they’re not joining the dots and making the connection here, and it’s hurting our national security posture and our social cohesion situation. “And then, unsurprisingly, we see the events in Melbourne overnight. Obviously, we have to respect the investigation process, but it seems very clearly there’s a potential here for this to have been another heinous act by one of these extremists.” Mr Kelly said the looming retirement of pro-Israel Labor minister Bill Shorten marked the loss of another “voice of reason” from the party, as “Communists and Greens” used the situation in the Middle East to divide the ALP and the trade union movement.

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Labor’s UN posturing ‘rewards’ anti-Semitism, former minister Mike Kelly says

BEN PACKHAM and SARAH ISON - 6 December 2024

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Former Labor minister Mike Kelly has linked Anthony Albanese’s support for pro-Palestine motions in the UN with the torching of a Melbourne Synagogue, urging him to “join the dots” between its hard line stance against Israel and surging anti-Semitism.

The Labor Friends of Israel co-convener said some party members were now tearing up their membership cards in protest at the government’s hostility towards the Jewish state, believing the government was “betraying” the legacy of ALP giants Ben Chifley and HV “Doc” Evatt.

Amid national outrage over the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue on Friday morning, Mr Kelly said anti-Semitic extremists saw the government’s support for anti-Israel motions in the UN as a “reward for their lawlessness and their violence”.

“The government has been making a series of decisions like this and very clearly, this only encourages the extremists to go further,” he told The Australian.

“This is obviously not intentional by the government, but it’s really disturbing that they’re not joining the dots and making the connection here, and it’s hurting our national security posture and our social cohesion situation.

“And then, unsurprisingly, we see the events in Melbourne overnight. Obviously, we have to respect the investigation process, but it seems very clearly there’s a potential here for this to have been another heinous act by one of these extremists.”

Mr Kelly said the looming retirement of pro-Israel Labor minister Bill Shorten marked the loss of another “voice of reason” from the party, as “Communists and Greens” used the situation in the Middle East to divide the ALP and the trade union movement.

“The sensation is that feeling of death by a thousand cuts – where is this movement going?”

“I have a number of friends who have torn up their membership cards and it’s this feeling of ‘I haven’t left the party, the party has left me’.

“It’s really betraying the position of Chifley and Evatt by going down a path that rewards terrorism.”

His comments came as the Prime Minister dismissed unprecedented criticism of his government by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, which warned Australia’s “flip-flop” voting in the UN would encourage terrorism and anti-Semitism.

Mr Netanyahu’s office told The Australian that the Albanese government’s move in the UN this week to support Palestinian statehood and demand Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied territories “will invite more terrorism and more anti-Semitic riots at campuses and city centres, including in Australia”. It contrasted Australia’s stance with that of Israel’s “key allies”.

Responding to the statement on Friday, Mr Albanese said: “Well, 157 countries voted for that resolution, including the Five Eyes partners, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand as well as Australia, as well as people we work closely with – Germany, Italy, other countries in our region.

“And it’s exactly the same way that the Howard Government voted for a long period of time.”

He said he had no plans to call Mr Netanyahu to discuss Israel’s concerns.

Peter Dutton said Israel was an “essential ally” which had provided intelligence that had averted terrorist attacks on Australians.

He called on the Prime Minister to explain why he had walked away from his pre-election pledge to the Jewish community to maintain bipartisan support for Israel.

“It’s impossible to imagine that Bob Hawke or Paul Keating or even Kevin Rudd or Julia Gillard would have taken the path that Prime Minister Albanese has,” the Opposition Leader said.

“I think it’s left our country less safe. I think it’s created an air of uncertainty and, frankly, a lot of people in the Jewish community don’t only feel uncertain, they feel unsafe.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22120646 (062303ZDEC24) Notable: Israeli president urges Albanese to crack down on antisemitism in firebombing’s wake - Israel’s president has told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take “firm and strong action” against antisemitism, as he condemned a surge of attacks on the Australian Jewish community that culminated in arsonists firebombing a Melbourne synagogue. Isaac Herzog said he spoke to Albanese after the attack on the Adass Israel temple, condemning “an intolerable wave of attacks on Jewish communities in Australia and around the world”, echoing remarks from the country’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar. “I noted to the prime minister that this rise and the increasingly serious antisemitic attacks on the Jewish community required firm and strong action, and that this was a message that must be heard clearly from Australia’s leaders,” said Herzog, whose position is roughly equivalent to Australia’s governor-general, in a post on X. “I thanked him for his ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism, and expressed my trust that the local law enforcement would do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice.” The attack comes as the relationship between Australia and Israel is severely strained by the war in Gaza, and Australia’s peak Jewish groups say they feel betrayed by the Albanese government, which has not backed Israel as fiercely as the Coalition. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said antisemitism “must be relentlessly confronted”. “I urge Australian authorities to act swiftly and ensure the despicable perpetrators are brought to justice,” he said.

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Israeli president urges Albanese to crack down on antisemitism in firebombing’s wake

Paul Sakkal - December 6, 2024

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Israel’s president has told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take “firm and strong action” against antisemitism, as he condemned a surge of attacks on the Australian Jewish community that culminated in arsonists firebombing a Melbourne synagogue.

Isaac Herzog said he spoke to Albanese after the attack on the Adass Israel temple, condemning “an intolerable wave of attacks on Jewish communities in Australia and around the world”, echoing remarks from the country’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar.

“I noted to the prime minister that this rise and the increasingly serious antisemitic attacks on the Jewish community required firm and strong action, and that this was a message that must be heard clearly from Australia’s leaders,” said Herzog, whose position is roughly equivalent to Australia’s governor-general, in a post on X.

“I thanked him for his ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism, and expressed my trust that the local law enforcement would do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

His intervention came as Israel’s ambassador to Australia absolved the federal government of responsibility for rising antisemitism here amid deteriorating relations between the two countries over disagreements in international forums.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had criticised Albanese for not showing enough support for the Jewish community, citing the government’s decision to break with Israel in high-profile United Nations votes, following Friday’s arson attack.

News of the pre-dawn firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue came hours after the office of Israel’s prime minister condemned the Albanese government’s decision to support Palestinian statehood, warning it could foster terrorism and antisemitism.

Police in Victoria and NSW were instructed to increase patrols of the states’ synagogues as the federal joint counter-terrorism task force was called in to help investigate the firebombing, which gutted the synagogue and forced congregants to flee.

Albanese said he had spoken to the president of the synagogue, which is in the heartland of Melbourne’s Jewish community, after the attack.

“There’s no place in Australia for an outrage such as this. To attack a place of worship is an attack on Australian values,” Albanese told reporters in Perth.

“To attack a synagogue is an act of antisemitism. Antisemitism has been on the rise. We call it out wherever we see it.”

The attack comes as the relationship between Australia and Israel is severely strained by the war in Gaza, and Australia’s peak Jewish groups say they feel betrayed by the Albanese government, which has not backed Israel as fiercely as the Coalition.

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said antisemitism “must be relentlessly confronted”.

“I urge Australian authorities to act swiftly and ensure the despicable perpetrators are brought to justice,” he said.

Sa’ar this week called in Australia’s ambassador to Israel Ralph King to reprimand him for the government’s decision to deny a visa to former justice minister Ayelet Shaked.

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office provided a statement to The Australian explicitly condemning the Albanese government for its shifting stance at the UN.

“Awarding antisemitism and terrorism with a state in the heart of the Jewish ancient homeland and cradle of civilisation will invite more terrorism and more antisemitic riots at campuses and city centres, including in Australia,” it said.

Dutton, speaking at a press conference in NSW on Friday morning, said the firebombing could have been predicted given the rise of antisemitism in Australia since terrorist group Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

“I want to pretend this wasn’t expected, and it couldn’t be predicted, but I can’t do that to the Australian people,” he said, calling on Albanese to explain Labor’s diplomatic shift away from Israel in UN votes.

“I will always stand up for people of Jewish faith because they should be treated equally with every other Australian, and the way in which they’ve been ostracised in our country and the way in which that’s been condoned, frankly, by the prime minister and others, just has no place in our society.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22120868 (062355ZDEC24) Notable: ‘This is an attack on all Jews in Melbourne’: Leaders reeling after attack - If the masked arsonists who torched a Melbourne synagogue in Friday’s pre-dawn hours intended to send an incendiary message about Israel’s war in Gaza, they picked the wrong Jews. The members of the ultra-Orthodox community who pray at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea are not Zionists. Nor are they politically active. Where many Jewish groups advocate strong views about the conflict in the Middle East, they tend to say little outside their small, cloistered community. Where Israelis speak Hebrew, they speak Yiddish. While many of them have family connections within Israel and have spent time in the country, they have no truck with the state of Israel nor its government. Put simply, this is not their war. “We are a very quiet community,” Adass Israel board member Benjamin Klein says. “We are not involved in politics, we don’t have Israeli flags. We pray for Israel, we pray for peace. We don’t recognise the state per se but we don’t protest for or against. We really don’t get involved. We are busy trying to do the right thing by God. That is what our mission is and that is what we focus our lives on.” So why is it that, on a hot Friday morning a few weeks before Hanukkah, Klein is standing on a grassy verge in Ripponlea with other members of his community, his face red and sweaty beneath his orthodox garb, watching arson detectives pick through the charred remnants of a suspected hate crime inside his house of worship? Jillian Segal, the Australian government’s Special Envoy to Combat Anti-semitism, says this is what happens when hate, mixed with ignorance, is let off the leash. In comments to this masthead, Segal describes it as a destructive continuum. “We have gone from weekly demonstrations morphing into antisemitism to demonstrations outside a synagogue in Victoria, to the daubing of cars in Woollahra with “f-ck Israel”. The next step is actually lighting up a synagogue. “The cause is antisemitism, which is hatred of Jews. That is the cause and that is what we haven’t been calling out and stopping in this country.”

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‘This is an attack on all Jews in Melbourne’: Leaders reeling after attack

Chip Le Grand - DECEMBER 6, 2024

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If the masked arsonists who torched a Melbourne synagogue in Friday’s pre-dawn hours intended to send an incendiary message about Israel’s war in Gaza, they picked the wrong Jews.

The members of the ultra-Orthodox community who pray at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea are not Zionists. Nor are they politically active. Where many Jewish groups advocate strong views about the conflict in the Middle East, they tend to say little outside their small, cloistered community.

Where Israelis speak Hebrew, they speak Yiddish. While many of them have family connections within Israel and have spent time in the country, they have no truck with the state of Israel nor its government.

Put simply, this is not their war.

“We are a very quiet community,” Adass Israel board member Benjamin Klein says. “We are not involved in politics, we don’t have Israeli flags.

“We pray for Israel, we pray for peace. We don’t recognise the state per se but we don’t protest for or against. We really don’t get involved. We are busy trying to do the right thing by God. That is what our mission is and that is what we focus our lives on.”

So why is it that, on a hot Friday morning a few weeks before Hanukkah, Klein is standing on a grassy verge in Ripponlea with other members of his community, his face red and sweaty beneath his orthodox garb, watching arson detectives pick through the charred remnants of a suspected hate crime inside his house of worship?

Jillian Segal, the Australian government’s Special Envoy to Combat Anti-semitism, says this is what happens when hate, mixed with ignorance, is let off the leash. In comments to this masthead, Segal describes it as a destructive continuum.

“We have gone from weekly demonstrations morphing into antisemitism to demonstrations outside a synagogue in Victoria, to the daubing of cars in Woollahra with “f-ck Israel”. The next step is actually lighting up a synagogue.

“The cause is antisemitism, which is hatred of Jews. That is the cause and that is what we haven’t been calling out and stopping in this country.

“We know it is not an isolated incident but a reflection of a concerning environment where individuals have felt for some time emboldened. Antisemitism is a virus. It mutates, it infects and it destroys. It will destroy our country and our democracy unless we see governments, both state and federal, take immediate action to try and stop it.”

The virus has spread in Melbourne faster than elsewhere. Two weeks ago, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry released its annual report on antisemitism in Australia. Its findings show that between October 2023 and September this year, Victoria led all states in most categories of reported anti-Jewish incidents.

Of 65 episodes of physical assault linked to antisemitism recorded in Australia, 42 were reported in Victoria, which is home to 46.7 per cent of the country’s Jewish residents, according to 2021 data.

“We can’t ignore that,” says Jewish Community Council of Victoria chief executive Naomi Levin. “What is happening here? Why is Victoria the hotbed of this in Australia?”

Where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s message to the Albanese government that its shift in diplomatic position on a future Palestine state at the United Nations would invite more antisemitism in Australia might have been dismissed before this attack, it now appears horribly prescient.

On the streets of Melbourne, the synagogue attack has added momentum to previous calls for the Victorian government, with the help of Victorian police, to bring an end to roiling, weekly pro-Palestinian protests in Melbourne’s CBD every Sunday since last October.

While these gatherings of thousands of people have been largely free of violence, and some of the protest movement leaders today were quick to condemn the attack on the synagogue, the demonstrations have filled the CBD with angry and at times, hateful cries.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22120919 (070011ZDEC24) Notable: When synagogues start burning its hard to ‘cherish’ social cohesion - "Almost everyday brings a fresh assault on Australia’s Jewish population. A synagogue is torched in Melbourne, a car immolated in Sydney and others vandalised. An aggressive, drum-banging pro-Palestinian mob sets up a three-hour protest outside Sydney’s Great Synagogue. Of course it’s the sole Israeli flag-carrying Jew who gets pushed away by the police. What we don’t see reported is the relentless pressure on our Jewish citizens. The young children who practise weekly security drills at schools anticipating an attack. The deluge of anti-Jewish hate online. The family decisions not to go into the city today, not to wear a Star of David, to stay at home wondering if they have a future in this country. What happens on the street is enabled by our government’s hard-turn against an old friend, Israel. When Australia shifts a vote in the United Nations towards the creation of Palestine, the gesture rewards terrorism and punishes Israel for the sin of being attacked. To hell with the pretence of bipartisanship: Labor’s left, led by Penny Wong intellectually and Anthony Albanese emotionally, are having fun while they still can with an old ideological fixation of bashing Israel. This agenda is damaging politically, but addresses an internal party need. The government will not or cannot accept that it sets the context for the rise of anti-Jewish sentiment in Australia. It’s hard to nourish and cherish social cohesion when the synagogues start burning. We need a tougher approach to internal security." - Peter Jennings, director of Strategic Analysis Australia, former executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and former deputy secretary for strategy in the Defence Department (2009-12) - theaustralian.com.au

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When synagogues start burning its hard to ‘cherish’ social cohesion

PETER JENNINGS - 6 December 2024

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Almost everyday brings a fresh assault on Australia’s Jewish population.

A synagogue is torched in Melbourne, a car immolated in Sydney and others vandalised. An aggressive, drum-banging pro-Palestinian mob sets up a three-hour protest outside Sydney’s Great Synagogue. Of course it’s the sole Israeli flag-carrying Jew who gets pushed away by the police.

What we don’t see reported is the relentless pressure on our Jewish citizens. The young children who practise weekly security drills at schools anticipating an attack. The deluge of anti-Jewish hate online. The family decisions not to go into the city today, not to wear a Star of David, to stay at home wondering if they have a future in this country.

What happens on the street is enabled by our government’s hard-turn against an old friend, Israel. When Australia shifts a vote in the United Nations towards the creation of Palestine, the gesture rewards terrorism and punishes Israel for the sin of being attacked.

In time we will discover the precise cause of the burning of the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne in Ripponlea, but at the outset it’s clear that this is just the latest assault on the Jewish community.

It is deeply disturbing that almost no one in government seems able to muster a convincing display of concern or compassion towards our Jewish citizens.

Education Minister Jason Clare was the first out of the blocks on Friday with the government’s favourite talking point: “Let’s call it out, there is no place for this in Australia. I hope that the police catch the perpetrators.”

Yes, let’s “call it out”, Minister Clare. How courageous of you. It seems plain that there is indeed a place for anti-Jewish violence in Australia. The place is on the streets of our major cities.

The violence and threats of violence are becoming normalised as part of a pattern of popular protest. Governments and police seem not just incapable of dealing with it, but also not that motivated.

Let’s conduct a thought experiment: Imagine that, instead of a synagogue being torched, it was a mosque, a Hindu temple or, for goodness’ sake, a Beijing-funded Confucius Centre being destroyed by masked figures sloshing accelerant at the front door.

My instinct is that government ministers would be elbowing first responders out the way to have their outrage recorded for all of us to see. Such acts would be seen as an assault on the social compact – that delicate construct of multiculturalism, forever to be celebrated.

In practice, the emerging norm is “me too, but not the Jews”. It seems there is a special place of disregard for a people who have been community builders in this country since the First Fleet.

What happens next? Three trends are evident. First, there is a clear pattern for the anti-Israel (in reality anti-Jewish) protest movement to become more aggressive.

I have tracked this for the past 14 months in columns for this newspaper. An unlikely coalition of protest movements spanning Islamist radicals and Marxist “progressives” has formed.

In their size, persistence and vehemence these groups have intimidated our police forces. They have established a “right” to be permanently disruptive on our streets.

Given this freedom of movement these groups have developed a tough leadership core, they have radicalised individuals – because leaders need street fighters – and learned to keep pushing the boundaries of tolerated behaviour.

The link between protest and criminal behaviour remains publicly opaque but will be clear enough to our domestic security agencies. We see the results in increasingly violent and intimidatory acts, which will keep ramping up unless more active measures are taken to stop them.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22121270 (070126ZDEC24) Notable: Netanyahu points finger at Labor over synagogue firebombing - Labor’s “extreme anti-Israel position” is to blame for the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue and increasing anti-Semitism throughout Australia, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said in an extraordinary intervention. Just days after his office told The Australian that the Albanese government’s shift towards supporting Palestinian interests at the UN would “invite terrorism”, Prime Minister Netanyahu himself overnight said it was “impossible to seperate” the arson attack and the government’s positions. “The burning of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is an abhorrent act of antisemitism. I expect the state authorities to use their full weight to prevent such antisemitic acts in the future,” Mr Netanyahu said on X. “Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia, including the scandalous decision to support the UN resolution calling on Israel “to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as rapidly as possible”, and preventing a former Israeli minister from entering the country. Anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism.” Mr Netanyahu’s attack on the Albanese government brings the Israeli-Australian relationship to its lowest ebb since the founding of the modern Jewish State after World War Two.

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Netanyahu points finger at Labor over synagogue firebombing

CAMERON STEWART and MOHAMMAD ALFARES - 7 December 2024

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Labor’s “extreme anti-Israel position” is to blame for the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue and increasing anti-Semitism throughout Australia, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said in an extraordinary intervention.

Just days after his office told The Australian that the Albanese government’s shift towards supporting Palestinian interests at the UN would “invite terrorism”, the Prime Minister himself overnight said it was “impossible to seperate” the arson attack and the government’s positions.

Anthony Albanese has defended his record on tackling anti-Semitism, saying it “has been around for a long period of time”, after Jewish leaders, including former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, slammed his government for a lack of leadership following the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue.

The arson attack on the ultra-orthodox Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, the most serious anti-Semitic attack in Australia since the 1990s, rattled and enraged the country’s Jewish community and triggered a chorus of condemnation amid fears other Jewish organisations and institutions may also be targeted.

After 15 months of a rolling anti-Semitism crisis that has engulfed the nation in the wake of the October 7 massacre, Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke to the Prime Minister and urged Australian leaders to combat anti-Jewish hate here and abroad.

But Mr Netanyahu went further overnight, in one of the most striking criticisms of an Australian government by a democratic world leader in decades.

“The burning of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is an abhorrent act of antisemitism. I expect the state authorities to use their full weight to prevent such antisemitic acts in the future,” Mr Netanyahu said on X.

“Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia, including the scandalous decision to support the UN resolution calling on Israel “to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as rapidly as possible”, and preventing a former Israeli minister from entering the country.

“Anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism.”

Mr Netanyahu’s attack on the Albanese government brings the Israeli-Australian relationship to its lowest ebb since the founding of the modern Jewish State after World War Two.

Earlier, President Herzog implored Australian leaders to combat anti-Jewish hate here and abroad.

“I noted to the Prime Minister (Mr Albanese) that this rise and the increasingly serious antisemitic attacks on the Jewish community required firm and strong action, and that this was a message that must be heard clearly from Australia’s leaders,” Mr Herzog said on X.“I thanked him for his ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism, and expressed my trust that the local law enforcement would do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Mr Frydenberg wrote a blistering letter to the Prime Minister after the attack, saying it was “the latest in a long list of dangerous anti-Semitic attacks that has occurred on your watch. Social cohesion has broken down. The Jewish community is living in fear. Anti-Semitism has been normalised. Prime Minister, how have you let it get to this? Responsibility rests at your door”.

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten, a strong supporter of the Jewish community, said political leaders “on all sides” needed to lift their game.

“We’ve witnessed a rise of the horrific stain of anti-Semitism in our country out of the drains of history,” Mr Shorten told The Weekend Australian during a visit to the burnt-out synagogue. “The hostility to Israel has morphed into anti-Semitism and we need to call it out, political leaders on all sides need to be united and committed to demonstrate that Australia is better than this.”

Mr Albanese labelled the attack an “outrage” that should be unequivocally condemned.

“There is no place in Australia for an outrage such as this,” he said. “To attack a place of worship is an attack on Australian values. To attack a synagogue is an act of anti-Semitism.”

But the Prime Minister defended the government’s record of action in addressing anti-Semitism in Australia since the October 7, 2023 attack.

“Anti-Semitism is something that has been around for a long period of time. Of course, anti-Semitism has been on the rise. We call it out wherever we see it,” he said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22121384 (070143ZDEC24) Notable: Anthony Albanese is now witnessing the consequences of his failure to protect Australian Jews - "Anthony Albanese is now witnessing the consequences of his own government’s failure to protect the Jewish community from acts of violent anti-Semitism amid its foreign policy pivot on Israel. Whether he accepts the assertion or not, the Prime Minister is now in the hot seat on an issue that has escalated beyond the foreign conflict to become one of broader domestic community safety. Until Friday, the Prime Minister’s language on the convulsions between the Jewish and pro-Palestinian communities has been mealy mouthed at best since the October 9 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Yet his foreign policy posture towards Israel has not been. It has become increasingly hostile. The timing of the arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne was profound, having occurred within hours of Israel’s warning to Australia that its reversal of a long-held UN position on Palestinian status would result in increased violence against Jews. The Israeli government warned that “awarding savages” would invite terrorism. This is precisely what occurred at 4.10am on Friday morning. The Prime Minister doesn’t need to wait for ASIO or police to call it for what it is: an act of domestic terrorism. By any definition, it is precisely this. It is now impossible to separate the foreign from the domestic, from what is playing out in the suburban streets of Melbourne and Sydney. It is the product of an environment of permissive hatred that has been allowed to advance unchecked and without penalty. Most Australians, while appalled by what is occurring, still see this as a foreign conflict that has little to do with them. Albanese has been right on this, although wrong on the corrosive effect it may have on the perception of strength of leadership. The risk now for Labor is whether Friday morning’s arson attack is the tipping point for when this now becomes part of a broader consciousness that feeds into community concerns about crime and public safety. The political danger for Albanese now is that this latest incident will resonate more broadly in a community that until now has not been connected to the issue. Many may now come to view this as an issue that has got out of hand, under a government that has failed to address it." - Simon Benson - theaustralian.com.au

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Anthony Albanese is now witnessing the consequences of his failure to protect Australian Jews

SIMON BENSON - 7 December 2024

Anthony Albanese is now witnessing the consequences of his own government’s failure to protect the Jewish community from acts of violent anti-Semitism amid its foreign policy pivot on Israel.

Whether he accepts the assertion or not, the Prime Minister is now in the hot seat on an issue that has escalated beyond the foreign conflict to become one of broader domestic community safety.

Until Friday, the Prime Minister’s language on the convulsions between the Jewish and pro-Palestinian communities has been mealy mouthed at best since the October 9 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.

Yet his foreign policy posture towards Israel has not been. It has become increasingly hostile.

The timing of the arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne was profound, having occurred within hours of Israel’s warning to Australia that its reversal of a long-held UN position on Palestinian status would result in increased violence against Jews.

The Israeli government warned that “awarding savages” would invite terrorism.

This is precisely what occurred at 4.10am on Friday morning.

The Prime Minister doesn’t need to wait for ASIO or police to call it for what it is: an act of domestic terrorism.

By any definition, it is precisely this.

It is now impossible to separate the foreign from the domestic, from what is playing out in the suburban streets of Melbourne and Sydney.

It is the product of an environment of permissive hatred that has been allowed to advance unchecked and without penalty.

Albanese until now has been able to play the cynical game, convinced that the Middle-East conflict in and of itself is not an election issue that is likely to impact seats beyond the Labor electorates where independent Muslim candidates campaign against Labor.

Most Australians, while appalled by what is occurring, still see this as a foreign conflict that has little to do with them. Albanese has been right on this, although wrong on the corrosive effect it may have on the perception of strength of leadership.

And it is the Prime Minister’s management of the issue that has broader consequences.

The risk now for Labor is whether Friday morning’s arson attack is the tipping point for when this now becomes part of a broader consciousness that feeds into community concerns about crime and public safety.

The initial reaction suggests it could be, which should be of deep concern for the government.

Until now, this conflict was largely irrelevant to 80 per cent of Australians.

Bring it into their backyards and suddenly the game changes.

Albanese may get some credit for coming out strongly in his condemnation of the attack on Friday morning.

Peter Dutton’s allegation is that it is too little too late.

Labor has yet to accept that what it says internationally has an impact at home.

The political danger for Albanese now is that this latest incident will resonate more broadly in a community that until now has not been connected to the issue.

Many may now come to view this as an issue that has got out of hand, under a government that has failed to address it.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/albanese-is-now-witnessing-the-consequences-of-his-failure-to-protect-australian-jews/news-story/e3f4e334305bfc62f5bb0ccecfea0ea9

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22126553 (080056ZDEC24) Notable: PM must declare synagogue attack a terror event: Frydenberg - Anthony Albanese must set up a police task force devoted to stamping out anti-Semitism and declare Friday’s firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue a terrorist act, former treasurer Josh Frydenberg has declared. Standing with ex-Labor senator Nova Peris at the Caulfield South synagogue now at the centre of the wave of anti-Jewish hate in Australia, Mr Frydenberg said Labor must set up a judicial inquiry into anti-Semitism on university campuses. Hours after the firebombing, the Prime Minister on Friday said anti-Semitism has been around for a “long time” and faced claims from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his government’s foreign policy has encouraged the incident. “This is not about other forms of hate, this is not about Islamophobia,” the former Liberal deputy leader said on Saturday. “This task force needs to enforce the law and where necessary advise how to strengthen it.” Former senator Nova Paris said the state and federal Labor governments have failed to show leadership on anti-Semitism. “The fact that no one was arrested or there weren’t consequences of the act on October 7th, before blood had even dried, before Israel had even retaliated, speaks volumes,” Ms Peris said. “The amount of attacks upon Jewish people, of racial hatred, the property that’s been destroyed, our war memorials, all these things that are an attack on citizens of this country. If there are no consequences, it allows people to say, well, we’re just going to continue to get away with it.”

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PM must declare synagogue attack a terror event: Frydenberg

MOHAMMAD ALFARES - 7 December 2024

Anthony Albanese must set up a police task force devoted to stamping out anti-Semitism and declare Friday’s firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue a terrorist act, former treasurer Josh Frydenberg has declared.

Standing with ex-Labor senator Nova Peris at the Caulfield South synagogue now at the centre of the wave of anti-Jewish hate in Australia, Mr Frydenberg said Labor must set up a judicial inquiry into anti-Semitism on university campuses.

Hours after the firebombing, the Prime Minister on Friday said anti-Semitism has been around for a “long time” and faced claims from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his government’s foreign policy has encouraged the incident.

“This is not about other forms of hate, this is not about Islamophobia,” the former Liberal deputy leader said on Saturday.

“This task force needs to enforce the law and where necessary advise how to strengthen it.”

“We can’t hear worthless words. We need concrete action … the Prime Minister has never seen a fence he didn’t sit on.”

Meanwhile, Victoria Police had no more developments in the arson investigation when contacted on Saturday.

Former senator Nova Paris said the state and federal Labor governments have failed to show leadership on anti-Semitism.

“The fact that no one was arrested or there weren’t consequences of the act on October 7th, before blood had even dried, before Israel had even retaliated, speaks volumes, Ms Peris said.

“The amount of attacks upon Jewish people, of racial hatred, the property that’s been destroyed, our war memorials, all these things that are an attack on citizens of this country. If there are no consequences, it allows people to say, well, we’re just going to continue to get away with it.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong was quoted by Nine newspapers today as saying that turning Labor’s UN resolution vote during the week “into a political fight is reckless even for [Opposition Leader] Peter Dutton.

“The Liberals also used to support a balanced, two-state solution, but now they see political advantage in trying to reproduce the conflict here.”

Senator Wong said “in our democracy, Australians are free to support or disagree with the actions of Israel ... but disagreement must not be used as a cloak for prejudice. Targeting the Australian Jewish community is an act of anti-Semitism and utterly unacceptable.”

In what was a rare media conference for him since stepping away from politics, Mr Frydenberg accused the Prime Minister of lacking “courage” to tackle anti-Semitism more firmly.

“The Prime Minister doesn’t speak out with any conviction, with any clarity, with any courage against the misuse of (anti-Semitic) terminology,” he said.

“If there’s a fence to sit on he finds it or gives us mealy-mouthed words that give us nothing.”

He warned the Jewish community feels “vulnerable” after recent attacks and criticised the government’s inaction.

“They feel vulnerable and they feel despondent about the lack of action from those whose duty, whose elected responsibility, (it) is to act.”

He urged Mr Albanese to prioritise the safety of the Jewish community and to avoid the political considerations more generally.

“You might be worried about the electoral consequences in a particular electorate from taking strong action,” he said.

Mr Frydenberg said the clock was ticking for Mr Albanese to take action, and said Premier Jacinta Allan does not get a “pass mark” for what has occurred.

“I want to see the premier lean in, I want to see the PM step up, I don’t want to see either of them step back,” he said.

He also called for a judicial inquiry into educational institutions where “there is anti-Semitism run wild.”

“Our education institutions should be houses of learning, but they have become hotbeds of hate,” he said.

It comes as Jewish community members attended Shabbat services at their local temples a day after the attack on one of Australia’s busiest synagogues.

Several security guards lined the entrance to the synagogue on Saturday, with regular security measures in place across Melbourne.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/pm-must-declare-synagogue-attack-a-terror-event-frydenberg/news-story/6afacd33d1e3586fba75434246ea6439

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22126566 (080059ZDEC24) Notable: Albanese, Wong defend Australia’s stance on Israel following criticism from Netanyahu - Foreign Minister Penny Wong has castigated opponents blaming the government for rising antisemitism, and Anthony Albanese has stood by his diplomatic posture towards Israel after Benjamin Netanyahu tied Labor’s “extreme anti-Israel position” to the firebombing of a synagogue. The Israeli prime minister’s extraordinary statement has placed global attention on deteriorating relations between Australia and its long-time friendly nation in the Middle East, sparking calls from the pro-Israel opposition to urgently mend ties and intensifying a dispute over Labor’s management of tensions stemming from the war. Wong characterised the criticism of Labor’s approach as grounded in politics, not facts, emphasising that Labor’s voting in the UN was aligned with like-minded nations such as Canada and Britain, whose diplomats have increasingly lost patience with Israel’s long-running war effort. “Turning this into a political fight is reckless even for [Opposition Leader] Peter Dutton,” she told this masthead in a statement. “The Liberals also used to support a balanced, two-state solution, but now they see political advantage in trying to reproduce the conflict here.”

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Albanese, Wong defend Australia’s stance on Israel following criticism from Netanyahu

Paul Sakkal - December 7, 2024

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Foreign Minister Penny Wong has castigated opponents blaming the government for rising antisemitism, and Anthony Albanese has stood by his diplomatic posture towards Israel after Benjamin Netanyahu tied Labor’s “extreme anti-Israel position” to the firebombing of a synagogue.

The Israeli prime minister’s extraordinary statement has placed global attention on deteriorating relations between Australia and its long-time friendly nation in the Middle East, sparking calls from the pro-Israel opposition to urgently mend ties and intensifying a dispute over Labor’s management of tensions stemming from the war.

Wong characterised the criticism of Labor’s approach as grounded in politics, not facts, emphasising that Labor’s voting in the UN was aligned with like-minded nations such as Canada and Britain, whose diplomats have increasingly lost patience with Israel’s long-running war effort.

“Turning this into a political fight is reckless even for [Opposition Leader] Peter Dutton,” she told this masthead in a statement. “The Liberals also used to support a balanced, two-state solution, but now they see political advantage in trying to reproduce the conflict here.”

The Coalition, former treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Jewish groups savaged Albanese for what they said was his failure to more forcefully call out antisemitism, while the opposition backed Netanyahu’s comments as the nation reacted to Friday’s shocking arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne’s south-east.

Federal counterterrorism officials have now begun to investigate the incident, after Victoria’s Counter Terrorism Command was called in on Friday. The motive and suspects remain unknown.

The prime minister spoke at a Perth synagogue on Saturday, without the media in attendance, in a display of support for the Australian Jewish community. Neither he nor any ministers held press conferences on Saturday.

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson accused Labor of “giving encouragement to extremists” by shifting away from Israel.

While neither Albanese nor Wong directly addressed Israel’s prime minister in their comments, their remarks represented a full-throated defence of Australia’s positioning and hit back at Netanyahu’s broader criticism that Labor has abandoned Israel and given succour to anti-Israel hate.

In separate remarks, Albanese told this masthead he wanted the alleged arsonists behind the “un-Australian and antisemitic” synagogue fire caught and to face the full force of the law, and defended the government’s contentious voting record in the UN that Netanyahu said was “impossible to separate” from the arson.

“157 countries voted for that resolution, including four of the Five Eyes partners – Australia, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand as well as Japan and other regional partners,” Albanese said.

“The same resolution was supported by the Howard government for a number of years. Our vote was consistent with the long-held bipartisan position of support for a two-state solution: the State of Israel and a Palestinian state side by side behind secure borders.”

Wong noted that “in our democracy, Australians are free to support or disagree with the actions of Israel”, cutting across Netanyahu’s claim that “anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism”.

She added: “But disagreement must not be used as a cloak for prejudice. Targeting the Australian Jewish community is an act of antisemitism and utterly unacceptable.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22126615 (080110ZDEC24) Notable: PM Albanese meets with Jewish community members at Perth synagogue - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met privately with Jewish community members at a synagogue in Perth one day after the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. The meeting was closed off to media, though NewsWire understands Mr Albanese was invited to the community centre in central Perth and spoke there in the morning. It is understood about a hundred people filled the synagogue. Mr Albanese is expected to give a press conference in the WA capital on Sunday morning, where he is expected to speak further on the firebombing that has shocked the nation and triggered widespread anger. In a statement posted to X on Saturday afternoon, Mr Albanese said the arson attack on Adass Israel was “un-Australian”. “The Jewish community has made an extraordinary contribution to the strength and success of our nation, over generations,” he said. “Time and time again, they have defied the cowardice and cruelty of antisemitism with courage and resolve. In this deeply distressing time, I want every member of the Jewish community to know our government unequivocally condemns the prejudice you have been targeted with.”

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PM Albanese meets with Jewish community members at Perth synagogue

Duncan Evans - December 7, 2024

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met privately with Jewish community members at a synagogue in Perth one day after the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.

The meeting was closed off to media, though NewsWire understands Mr Albanese was invited to the community centre in central Perth and spoke there in the morning.

It is understood about a hundred people filled the synagogue.

Mr Albanese is expected to give a press conference in the WA capital on Sunday morning, where he is expected to speak further on the firebombing that has shocked the nation and triggered widespread anger.

In a statement posted to X on Saturday afternoon, Mr Albanese said the arson attack on Adass Israel was “un-Australian”.

“The Jewish community has made an extraordinary contribution to the strength and success of our nation, over generations,” he said.

“Time and time again, they have defied the cowardice and cruelty of antisemitism with courage and resolve.

“In this deeply distressing time, I want every member of the Jewish community to know our government unequivocally condemns the prejudice you have been targeted with.”

An Adass Israel worshipper allegedly observed two masked men deliberately poured accelerant on the floor of the house of worships before feeling the burning buildings about 4.10am on Friday.

Firefighters worked for 40 minutes to bring the blaze under control, which destroyed the building.

The Albanese government is facing a barrage of criticism for its alleged lack of action in stamping on the swell of anti-Semitism that has washed over Australia since the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

On Saturday afternoon, Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Indigenous trailblazer Nova Peris called on the prime minister to “step up” and act on rising anti-Jewish racism in a sharp address outside Caulfield Synagogue.

“Prime Minister, how did you let it get to this,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“Every single day, Australian Jews are being intimidated and harassed on our streets, in their workplaces and on our campuses.

“Young Jewish Australians now feel unsafe to show and identify with their faith publicly.

“And Australian holocaust survivors, who have been long given a safe refuge in this country and a warm embrace, are now openly talking about leaving this country.”

“Prime Minister, how did you let it get to this? Where social cohesion in Australia has broken down.

“Where the Australian Jewish community lives in fear. Where anti-Semitism has become normalised.”

“When social cohesion breaks down, it’s only a question of when another community, another minority group is targeted in the same way.”

Ms Peris, a former Labor senator, called the Adass attack “totally deplorable” and said the Sydney Opera House pro-Palestine protest, which took place just two days after the Hamas-led mass murder of Jews, had brought Australia into “disrepute”.

“I cannot stand the hatred against Jewish people in this country,” she said.

“I’m so disgusted in how this country is being portrayed to the rest of the world.”

Mr Albanese said he had spoken with AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw on Saturday morning.

“Our authorities continue to work hard on this and I have made clear we offer full support to VicPol,” Mr Albanese said.

https://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/pm-albanese-meets-with-jewish-community-members-at-perth-synagogue/news-story/28046005dcefda663a4158df112a46fc

https://x.com/AlboMP/status/1865282597150224458

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22134026 (090740ZDEC24) Notable: ‘Back bigger and better’: Hundreds rally near firebombed synagogue, vowing to rebuild - Heartbroken members of Melbourne’s Adass Israel community vowed at a solidarity gathering to restore the “jewel in the crown” by rebuilding their firebombed synagogue. More than 1000 people rallied to support the congregation on Sunday after the Ripponlea synagogue was firebombed in the early hours of Friday morning. Police are investigating. Benjamin Klein, a board member of the synagogue, said he found it heartbreaking to walk past the charred building and think of what has been lost. “We will come back bigger and better, I can assure you. The building will be beautiful - a jewel in the crown once again,” he said on Sunday. Members of the Adass Israel congregation were forced to flee on Friday as fire engulfed the Glen Eira Avenue synagogue. No one has been arrested, and police are searching for three masked suspects who fled the scene. The arsonists poured flammable liquid on the floor of the building before they were disturbed by a congregant who was attending the synagogue, police said. Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed on Sunday that the counter-terrorism units of the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police were investigating. At the solidarity rally in Ripponlea, many attendees held Israel flags and signs stating “We choose unity” and “I stand with Israel”. Supporters were encouraged to bring bunches of flowers, which they placed in the fence surrounding the burnt shell of the synagogue.

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‘Back bigger and better’: Hundreds rally near firebombed synagogue, vowing to rebuild

Ashleigh McMillan - December 8, 2024

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Heartbroken members of Melbourne’s Adass Israel community vowed at a solidarity gathering to restore the “jewel in the crown” by rebuilding their firebombed synagogue.

More than 1000 people rallied to support the congregation on Sunday after the Ripponlea synagogue was firebombed in the early hours of Friday morning. Police are investigating.

Benjamin Klein, a board member of the synagogue, said he found it heartbreaking to walk past the charred building and think of what has been lost.

“We will come back bigger and better, I can assure you. The building will be beautiful – a jewel in the crown once again,” he said on Sunday.

Members of the Adass Israel congregation were forced to flee on Friday as fire engulfed the Glen Eira Avenue synagogue. No one has been arrested, and police are searching for three masked suspects who fled the scene.

The arsonists poured flammable liquid on the floor of the building before they were disturbed by a congregant who was attending the synagogue, police said.

Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed on Sunday that the counter-terrorism units of the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police were investigating.

At the solidarity rally in Ripponlea, many attendees held Israel flags and signs stating “We choose unity” and “I stand with Israel”.

Supporters were encouraged to bring bunches of flowers, which they placed in the fence surrounding the burnt shell of the synagogue.

Police and security officers were in the area during the gathering.

Klein said while the congregation was still reeling, they found strength after they came together on Saturday – Shabbat, the holy day of rest – and were buoyed by widespread community support.

“A lot of the wives and the children were quite shaken up,” he said.

“In school on Friday, we had people come talk to the children to explain to them that most of Melbourne and Australia is not like this. There are some people that don’t like us, but we have to stay strong and continue to thrive.”

Surveying the wall of vibrant flowers, Adass Israel member Moshe Pollak said the public outpouring helped ease the hurt over the destruction of important religious texts.

“I’m incredibly touched by the warmth people have shown – it just tugs at my heart,” he said.

Klein said he estimated Adass Israel could be without a permanent synagogue for more than a year while their place of worship was rebuilt.

“You know, we wake up in the morning, we go to synagogue. Afternoon, the synagogue. Evening, the synagogue. All of our ceremonies and parties … the synagogue is the central point of the community,” Klein said.

While those at the park near the Ripponlea train station danced and sang, the mood was still sombre at times, and attendees urged action from governments to stamp out antisemitism.

The premier said the attack was “an act of antisemitic evil … designed to strike terror into the hearts of the Victorian community”. But she would not label it an act of terrorism until she had received advice from police.

“[Victorian and federal police] will be having a joint meeting tomorrow morning to review the preliminary investigative work that has been done over the last couple of days, and will provide further advice on what that investigation has discovered,” Allan said.

“It’s really important to not compromise prosecutions and take advice from [police].”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, however, said on Sunday that he personally believed the firebombing was a terrorist attack.

Albanese, who announced a new round of funding for Jewish community groups to combat a rise in antisemitic incidents, came under criticism from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who said the federal government’s “grotesque stance” on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had created a hostile climate for Jewish people in Australia.

Ripponlea resident Simonne Winecier said it was amazing to see the outpouring of support for the Jewish community, but called for those in power to take escalating hatred against Jews seriously.

“I fear for my children’s lives and I fear for my life. I fear going out as a proud Jew,” she said.

“My parents were Holocaust survivors, and I am glad they are not here today to see what happened to the Adass Israel synagogue. My parents came here because it was the lucky country. They worked so hard and gave so much, and now Australia is failing.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22134046 (090748ZDEC24) Notable: Protests to go on ‘until liberation’, say pro-Palestinian rally organisers - Pro-Palestinian protesters have vowed to return to Melbourne’s CBD every weekend for as long as it takes to “liberate Palestine”, as the Victorian government mulls changes to protest laws that might outlaw rallies at places of worship. The late afternoon change in position from the government, which had previously been dismissive of tightening protest laws, came two days after arsonists set fire to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea in an attack early on Friday. On Saturday, NSW Premier Chris Minns ordered his government to explore outlawing protests at places of worship after a rally at Sydney’s Great Synagogue while members of the Israel Institute of Technology were inside. Premier Jacinta Allan initially dismissed questions about similar changes on Sunday, but later a Victorian government spokesperson said the government would consider changes to “ensure that people can exercise their right to attend places of worship freely, without fear, intimidation, harassment or obstruction”. The move came as protesters mounted their 61st consecutive rally in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday, with thousands supporting the Palestinian cause listening to speeches at the State Library from about noon, followed by a slow walk down Swanston Street to Flinders Street. The crowd dispersed about 2.15pm. Asked how long the protests would continue, one of the rally’s organisers, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni, told The Age on Sunday: “Why would we stop? “For decades, Palestine had no constituency. I was an advocate for Palestine. Couldn’t get in the door, couldn’t get a media interview, couldn’t get an [opinion article] written. But today, Palestine is palatable. It is a movement. Palestine can’t be ignored any more.”

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Protests to go on ‘until liberation’, say pro-Palestinian rally organisers

Michael Bachelard and Carla Jaeger - December 8, 2024

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Pro-Palestinian protesters have vowed to return to Melbourne’s CBD every weekend for as long as it takes to “liberate Palestine”, as the Victorian government mulls changes to protest laws that might outlaw rallies at places of worship.

The late afternoon change in position from the government, which had previously been dismissive of tightening protest laws, came two days after arsonists set fire to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea in an attack early on Friday.

On Saturday, NSW Premier Chris Minns ordered his government to explore outlawing protests at places of worship after a rally at Sydney’s Great Synagogue while members of the Israel Institute of Technology were inside.

Premier Jacinta Allan initially dismissed questions about similar changes on Sunday, but later a Victorian government spokesperson said the government would consider changes to “ensure that people can exercise their right to attend places of worship freely, without fear, intimidation, harassment or obstruction”.

Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish and whose office was vandalised and had fires lit there in June, backed the move, saying he wanted legislative reform to ensure synagogues and other religious buildings were not the targets of protests in Victoria.

“This is a very difficult wake-up call. It shouldn’t have gotten to this point. We need to respond with strength, clarity and action,” he said.

The move came as protesters mounted their 61st consecutive rally in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday, with thousands supporting the Palestinian cause listening to speeches at the State Library from about noon, followed by a slow walk down Swanston Street to Flinders Street. The crowd dispersed about 2.15pm.

Asked how long the protests would continue, one of the rally’s organisers, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni, told The Age on Sunday: “Why would we stop?

“For decades, Palestine had no constituency. I was an advocate for Palestine. Couldn’t get in the door, couldn’t get a media interview, couldn’t get an [opinion article] written. But today, Palestine is palatable. It is a movement. Palestine can’t be ignored any more.”

The protests would end, he said, only after “liberation”, by which he meant “decolonisation of Palestine – a Palestine that’s free from the river to the sea”. He said this was a reference to one state – not the federal government’s preferred two-state solution – that encompassed all the territory currently occupied by Israel and the Palestinian territories and which included Jewish, Muslim and Christian citizens.

The “from the river to the sea” phrase is controversial as critics believe it advocates the destruction of Israel.

Asked if he had discussed the continuation of protests with the state government, Mashni said, “They don’t talk to us.

“The state government is just applying the law. I don’t think the state government’s supportive of our actions, but the state government has a responsibility to uphold Victorian law, and we’re not doing anything illegal. I mean, that’s the right thing to do. It’s a democracy.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22134258 (090917ZDEC24) Notable: Video: Anthony Albanese entertains Labor donors, plays tennis at Cottesloe as Jewish Australians reel from Melbourne synagogue attack - Labor donors were entertained by Anthony Albanese over drinks on the banks of Perth’s Swan River on the day of the synagogue terror attack in Melbourne, and he then played tennis on Saturday afternoon in the leafy beachside suburb of Cottesloe, staying for afternoon tea with members of Western Australia’s most prestigious lawn court tennis club. Surprise at the Prime Minister’s decision not to travel to Melbourne after the terror attack turned to shock on Monday as it emerged he had taken time to play tennis in the golden triangle of Perth real estate as Jewish Australians reeled and prepared for a vigil near the burnt-out Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. On Friday night, Mr Albanese was the star attraction at the Federal Labor Business Forum’s “End-of-Year Networking Event” at the Chevron building on Perth’s CBD foreshore. Mr Albanese spent the night with party donors just hours after his first briefings on the firebombing and a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog over the incident. The Australian understands the drinks went for 90 minutes. The event is designed to allow businesses to pay a premium to have access to senior ALP figures such as the Prime Minister. The tennis took place the same weekend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was blaming Labor and the Albanese government for the wave of anti-Semitism in Australia. Also that same day former treasurer Josh Frydenberg and ex-Labor senator Nova Peris put up a united front against anti-Jewish hate outside the firebombed synagogue. Perth woman Elizabeth Pell took a photo with Mr Albanese at the tennis club, and posted to social media: “Not someone you meet everyday!” When questioned at a press conference on Monday about his decision to play tennis on Saturday, Mr Albanese took advantage of a reporter’s mistaken understanding that he had played in the morning rather than in the afternoon, saying: “Well, I wasn’t playing tennis on the Saturday morning.” Questioned further, he said: “That is wrong. I had six appointments on Saturday. After they had concluded, late in the afternoon, I did some exercise. That’s what people do.”

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Anthony Albanese entertains Labor donors, plays tennis at Cottesloe as Jewish Australians reel from Melbourne synagogue attack

PAIGE TAYLOR - 9 December 2024

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Labor donors were entertained by Anthony Albanese over drinks on the banks of Perth’s Swan River on the day of the synagogue terror attack in Melbourne, and he then played tennis on Saturday afternoon in the leafy beachside suburb of Cottesloe, staying for afternoon tea with members of Western Australia’s most prestigious lawn court tennis club.

Surprise at the Prime Minister’s decision not to travel to Melbourne after the terror attack turned to shock on Monday as it emerged he had taken time to play tennis in the golden triangle of Perth real estate as Jewish Australians reeled and prepared for a vigil near the burnt-out Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea.

On Friday night, Mr Albanese was the star attraction at the Federal Labor Business Forum’s “End-of-Year Networking Event” at the Chevron building on Perth’s CBD foreshore.

Mr Albanese spent the night with party donors just hours after his first briefings on the firebombing and a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog over the incident.

The Australian understands the drinks went for 90 minutes. The event is designed to allow businesses to pay a premium to have access to senior ALP figures such as the Prime Minister.

Cottesloe Tennis Club president Rob Wilde told The Australian he was made aware about 2pm the next day that the Prime Minister would be visiting. He said Mr Albanese arrived about 2.30pm and stayed for two hours.

He was with former South Australian Labor premier Jay Weatherill, who now works in Western Australia for the charitable Minderoo Foundation founded by Andrew and Nicola Forrest.

Photographs provided to The Australian show the Prime Minister in tennis whites and shorts playing doubles in the sun.

“We had two sets of tennis and afternoon tea, and (he was) very sociable. He had a pleasant time with some of our members,” Mr Wilde said.

“He had all his own equipment. He came all ready and dressed to go … I played against him twice.”

The tennis took place the same weekend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was blaming Labor and the Albanese government for the wave of anti-Semitism in Australia.

Also that same day former treasurer Josh Frydenberg and ex-Labor senator Nova Peris put up a united front against anti-Jewish hate outside the firebombed synagogue.

Perth woman Elizabeth Pell took a photo with Mr Albanese at the tennis club, and posted to social media: “Not someone you meet everyday!”

When asked about the photos of the Prime Minister playing tennis, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said “our community has felt that the government has been paralysed by domestic politics, and unable to provide the leadership and reassurance that the worsening anti-Semitism situation demands of any government”.

“At times that paralysis has been perceived by us as abandonment. No senior member of the government has contacted me since the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue on Friday morning,” he said.

Mr Wilde said the Prime Minister was not campaigning or discussing politics during his time at the tennis club on Saturday afternoon.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22139939 (100743ZDEC24) Notable: Peter Dutton aces Anthony Albanese in Melbourne synagogue terror response - "Playing a round of beachside tennis in Perth’s Golden Triangle and attending a party fundraiser after a likely terror attack on a synagogue continues Anthony Albanese’s run of poor judgment, delayed decision-making and equivocation on anti-Semitism. The Prime Minister should’ve jumped on a plane and headed straight to Melbourne instead of practising his backhand at the Cottesloe Tennis Club, being the guest of honour at a Labor fundraising event at Chevron HQ and campaigning in battleground Perth seats. If that meant skipping a train line opening and organising a senior colleague to meet the Nauruan President, so be it. Peter Dutton’s visit to the Adass Israel Synagogue before Albanese, which is not the first time the Opposition Leader has front-run the Labor leader, is bad optics for the government. The synagogue, which burnt down early Friday morning, is located in the electorally vulnerable seat of Macnamara, held by Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns. Albanese waited until Monday to convene a meeting of the national security committee of cabinet despite advice the firebombing was a likely terror attack, before holding a Canberra press conference with security chiefs in a bid to reassure Australians he is on the job. Since Hamas’s murderous attacks against Israelis on October 7, 2023, Dutton and others including NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns have been stronger than the Albanese government in condemning and responding to anti-Semitic incidents and protests. The Albanese government, which has been obsessed by Israel-Palestine UN votes and ceasefires, needs to reverse what Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on Monday described as “the highest level of anti-Semitism that I’ve experienced in my lifetime”. Jewish Australians should be able to worship, attend school and feel safe in workplaces without exposure to prejudice. If stronger action is not taken to combat anti-Semitic attacks and protests, a minority of bad actors will continue waging their campaign of hate and terror." - Geoff Chambers - theaustralian.com.au

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Peter Dutton aces Anthony Albanese in Melbourne synagogue terror response

GEOFF CHAMBERS - 9 December 2024

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Playing a round of beachside tennis in Perth’s Golden Triangle and attending a party fundraiser after a likely terror attack on a synagogue continues Anthony Albanese’s run of poor judgment, delayed decision-making and equivocation on anti-Semitism.

The Prime Minister should’ve jumped on a plane and headed straight to Melbourne instead of practising his backhand at the Cottesloe Tennis Club, being the guest of honour at a Labor fundraising event at Chevron HQ and campaigning in battleground Perth seats.

If that meant skipping a train line opening and organising a senior colleague to meet the Nauruan President, so be it.

Peter Dutton’s visit to the Adass Israel Synagogue before Albanese, which is not the first time the Opposition Leader has front-run the Labor leader, is bad optics for the government. The synagogue, which burnt down early Friday morning, is located in the electorally vulnerable seat of Macnamara, held by Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns.

After days of Labor ministers blaming Dutton and Coalition frontbenchers for stoking division, Albanese on Monday acknowledged the arson attack was now the subject of a terror investigation and launched an AFP-led operation into anti-Semitism that should have happened months ago.

Albanese waited until Monday to convene a meeting of the national security committee of cabinet despite advice the firebombing was a likely terror attack, before holding a Canberra press conference with security chiefs in a bid to reassure Australians he is on the job.

Since Hamas’s murderous attacks against Israelis on October 7, 2023, Dutton and others including NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns have been stronger than the Albanese government in condemning and responding to anti-Semitic incidents and protests.

Speaking to the Jewish community in Sydney on Friday night, Minns said the synagogue attack was “an act of terrorism”, made no mention of Islamophobia and did not reference Gaza in defending Israel as “an amazing oasis, a friend and an ally”.

“I don’t shy away from accepting responsibility of my government to do what needs to be done to confront it. And that means a law presence at Jewish institutions and synagogues,” Minns said.

Albanese’s Perth hit-around is harder to defend by the fact the avid tennis player did not hold a press conference on Saturday or make any move to change his weekend schedule.

In defence of his tennis outing, Albanese said: “I had six appointments on Saturday … after they had concluded, late in the afternoon, I did some exercise – that’s what people do.

“On Saturday morning, I was in a synagogue. I’ve seen some comments in the media about why there wasn’t media coverage there. That was because it was Shabbat and, as people can confirm, photos and electronic information wasn’t available then.”

Federal Labor’s political blame-shifting, which befits an opposition, hit peak ridiculous after Murray Watt suggested Josh Frydenberg, a Jewish Australian leader who happens to be a former Liberal treasurer, was speaking out for “his own political reasons”.

It is time to draw a line in the sand on anti-Semitism.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22139946 (100748ZDEC24) Notable: Former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni says ‘governance’ the key to combating anti-Semitism - A former Israeli foreign minister says the war against anti-Semitism begins with just one word: ­leadership. Tzipi Livni says societies that do not have strong political leadership ready to stamp out anti-Semitism as soon as it occurs will never be able to conquer the scourge. Ms Livni, Israel’s foreign minister from 2006-09 and also a former vice-prime minister and justice minister, was speaking as she paid her respects at the burnt-out Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne after it was firebombed in the early hours of last Friday. Ms Livni stressed she was not passing comment or judgment on the Australian government and said she did not want to wade into a domestic political debate. But she said her observation was that the rise in anti-Semitism in the Western world since October 7, 2023 demanded strong responses from governments to stop it festering and spreading. “Responsibility lies with the leadership of the countries where it is rearing its ugly head,” Ms Livni said. “Because it’s not just about the Jews or the state of Israel. It’s about the society itself, and the nature of the society and hate speech. “Anti-Semitism needs to be dealt with strongly by the political leadership of any country.” She said a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated also needed to be backed up by a raft of concrete measures. “From my experience, it’s about education to promote tolerance. It’s about legislation, about giving hate crimes a different punishment because it means something more. It is also about the public messages coming from leaders to say that this is not accepted there, and will not be tolerated.”

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Former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni says ‘governance’ the key to combating anti-Semitism

CAMERON STEWART - 10 December 2024

A former Israeli foreign minister says the war against anti-Semitism begins with just one word: ­leadership.

Tzipi Livni says societies that do not have strong political leadership ready to stamp out anti-Semitism as soon as it occurs will never be able to conquer the scourge.

Ms Livni, Israel’s foreign minister from 2006-09 and also a former vice-prime minister and justice minister, was speaking as she paid her respects at the burnt-out Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne after it was firebombed in the early hours of last Friday.

Ms Livni stressed she was not passing comment or judgment on the Australian government and said she did not want to wade into a domestic political debate. But she said her observation was that the rise in anti-Semitism in the Western world since October 7, 2023 demanded strong responses from governments to stop it festering and spreading.

“Responsibility lies with the leadership of the countries where it is rearing its ugly head,” Ms Livni said. “Because it’s not just about the Jews or the state of Israel. It’s about the society itself, and the nature of the society and hate speech.

“Anti-Semitism needs to be dealt with strongly by the political leadership of any country.”

She said a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated also needed to be backed up by a raft of concrete measures.

“From my experience, it’s about education to promote tolerance. It’s about legislation, about giving hate crimes a different punishment because it means something more. It is also about the public messages coming from leaders to say that this is not accepted there, and will not be tolerated.

“It’s about investing in that message and continuing to monitor it carefully.”

Ms Livni, visiting Australia with the Scopus Foundation, said a key factor of anti-Semitism since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel was that protesters were deliberately blurring the line between legitimate protest against Israeli government policies and anti-Semitic calls for the destruction of Israel.

“I want to make it clear: there’s a difference between anti-Semitism and legitimate criticism of Israeli government policy, there’s a line between these two,” she said.

“I myself was the leader of the opposition (in Israel) and the fact is that you can criticise government policy. But when it comes to undermining the right of Israel to defend itself, or the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state, these are pillars for the existence of the country as the nation state.

“For example, by chanting ‘from the river to the sea’ you are doing so at the expense of the state of Israel.”

Ms Livni, a political centrist who was Israel’s chief negotiator for peace with the Palestinians during the last two rounds of negotiations, said that although the notion of a two-state solution was still ultimately a laudable aim, the realities on the ground now made such an outcome impossible in the short term.

That is one of the reasons she did not agree with the sweeping UN resolution passed last week – with Australia’s support – that called for the “rapid” withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian occupied territories.

Ms Livni said it was “not the right resolution” because it did not refer to “the realities on the ground”. She said passing such resolutions only served to “strengthen extremists of both sides” because they say “we don’t have to compromise in future negotiations” because the UN is moving with us already.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/former-israeli-foreign-minister-tzipi-livni-says-governance-the-key-to-combating-antisemitism/news-story/6e72cae39fcf1a6db470765816b4028a

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22139980 (100818ZDEC24) Notable: Wong hits back at Netanyahu, links Israel to China, Russia - Foreign Minister Penny Wong has hit back at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by insisting that criticism of Israel is not necessarily antisemitic, as she infuriated Jewish groups by saying Australia expects Israel to comply with international law like authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China. Delivering a speech in Adelaide on Monday night in honour of late prime minister Bob Hawke, Wong condemned the Adass Israel Synagogue bombing as “a shocking crime” aimed at causing terror in the community. In a clear response to Netanyahu’s weekend claim that “anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism” in a social media post attacking the Albanese government, Wong said: “It is not antisemitic to expect that Israel should comply with the international law that applies to all countries. “Nor is it antisemitic to call for children and other civilians to be protected, or to call for a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.” Saying that Australia respected the independence of the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza, Wong said: “Australia can’t pick and choose which rules we are going to apply. “We expect Russia to abide by international law and end its illegal full-scale war on Ukraine. We expect China to abide by international legal decisions in the South China Sea. We also expect Israel to abide by international law.” Wong later told reporters in Perth that she was not drawing a moral equivalence between Israel, Russia and China, but arguing that Australia has an interest in ensuring that all nations comply with international law. Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs executive director Colin Rubenstein accused Wong of peddling “historical distortions” and displaying a “distorted understanding of the tenets of international law”.

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Wong hits back at Netanyahu, links Israel to China, Russia

Matthew Knott and Josefine Ganko - December 10, 2024

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has hit back at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by insisting that criticism of Israel is not necessarily antisemitic, as she infuriated Jewish groups by saying Australia expects Israel to comply with international law like authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China.

The backlash from pro-Israel groups to a significant foreign policy speech by Wong came as Jewish Labor backbencher Josh Burns accused Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of blocking a Liberal frontbencher’s plan to read a statement on his behalf on the day of the Melbourne synagogue firebombing.

Delivering a speech in Adelaide on Monday night in honour of late prime minister Bob Hawke, Wong condemned the Adass Israel Synagogue bombing as “a shocking crime” aimed at causing terror in the community.

In a clear response to Netanyahu’s weekend claim that “anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism” in a social media post attacking the Albanese government, Wong said: “It is not antisemitic to expect that Israel should comply with the international law that applies to all countries.

“Nor is it antisemitic to call for children and other civilians to be protected, or to call for a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.”

Saying that Australia respected the independence of the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza, Wong said: “Australia can’t pick and choose which rules we are going to apply.

“We expect Russia to abide by international law and end its illegal full-scale war on Ukraine.

“We expect China to abide by international legal decisions in the South China Sea.

“We also expect Israel to abide by international law.”

Wong later told reporters in Perth that she was not drawing a moral equivalence between Israel, Russia and China, but arguing that Australia has an interest in ensuring that all nations comply with international law.

Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs executive director Colin Rubenstein accused Wong of peddling “historical distortions” and displaying a “distorted understanding of the tenets of international law”.

“Effectively equating Russia’s blatantly illegal, imperialist and arguably genocidal invasion of Ukraine and China’s blatantly illegal activity in the South China Sea with Israel’s entirely lawful war of self-defence is the type of moral relativism and factual confusion that undermines Australia’s authority and credibility on the world stage,” he said.

Simone Abel, legal director of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, accused Wong of unfairly singling Israel out for criticism, accusing her of rarely criticising unlawful killings by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, the now deposed Assad regime in Syria or civilian casualties in the war in Yemen.

“It’s deeply cynical for Foreign Minister Penny Wong to deploy the definition of antisemitism against the Jewish people to argue that there is no double standard in Australia’s foreign policy towards Israel,” she said.

Wong also criticised Dutton directly, two days after the opposition leader called on Albanese to “rein in” his foreign minister.

Referring to the international push for a two-state solution, Wong said: “It is for Mr Dutton to explain why he has walked away from decades of bipartisan support for it – and why he is insistent on reproducing the conflict here, rather than defending national unity.”

Burns, whose electorate of Macnamara contains the Adass Israel Synagogue, held a joint press conference with opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson on Friday after the firebombing.

Burns said because he had lost his voice at the time, Paterson agreed to read out a statement on his behalf expressing devastation at the attack and condemning antisemitism.

“Unfortunately, right before we got on … Peter Dutton told James that he wasn’t allowed to read out my words,” Burns told ABC Radio National.

“I wanted to stand out with James and present a united front on this. And Peter Dutton decided that it was more important to play partisan games than to allow my words that I physically couldn’t speak to be read out.”

Paterson issued a brief written statement in response.

“I feel very sorry that Josh Burns and his community have been abandoned by the Labor Party in the wake of this terrorist attack,” Paterson said. “But it is not the role of a Liberal frontbencher to act as a spokesman for a Labor MP. One of the many senior Albanese government ministers from Victoria should have been there to speak if Josh was not able to.”

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-mp-claims-dutton-stopped-show-of-unity-on-synagogue-with-speech-ban-20241210-p5kx5f.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22139986 (100826ZDEC24) Notable: Travel warning for Jewish visitors to Australia after synagogue attack - The decision by a US-based human rights group to issue a travel warning for Jewish visitors to Australia reflects a growing international perception that the government can no longer guarantee the safety of its Jewish communities, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry says. Responding to reports that the Simon Wiesenthal Centre was issuing the cautionary advice after last Friday’s firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue by suspected terrorists, ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said Australia was losing its international reputation as a peaceful multicultural society. “This advisory to Jews around the world reflects how Australia is now perceived throughout the world,” Ryvchin said. “It is no longer seen as a model multicultural society. It is now associated with hateful street protests, encampments, public support for terrorists and the use of our landmarks and streets to menace certain communities and project mob power throughout the world. The torching of a synagogue has deepened the view that the government has lost control of the situation and that the safety of the community cannot be guaranteed.” This masthead first reported on Monday that Jewish people and Israelis would be warned about the risk of antisemitic attacks when visiting Australia under a travel advisory issued by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, a Jewish human rights group named after the world’s most famous Nazi hunter. The advisory was issued despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese establishing a new federal police taskforce to tackle antisemitism and detectives from the nation’s joint counter-terrorism team taking over the investigation into Friday’s attack on Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. It is the first time the centre has issued an advisory against Australia and follows the decision on Monday by Victorian and federal police to declare the pre-dawn firebombing of one of Australia’s busiest synagogues a “likely” terrorist attack.

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Travel warning for Jewish visitors to Australia after synagogue attack

Chip Le Grand - December 10, 2024

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The decision by a US-based human rights group to issue a travel warning for Jewish visitors to Australia reflects a growing international perception that the government can no longer guarantee the safety of its Jewish communities, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry says.

Responding to reports that the Simon Wiesenthal Centre was issuing the cautionary advice after last Friday’s firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue by suspected terrorists, ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said Australia was losing its international reputation as a peaceful multicultural society.

“This advisory to Jews around the world reflects how Australia is now perceived throughout the world,” Ryvchin said.

“It is no longer seen as a model multicultural society. It is now associated with hateful street protests, encampments, public support for terrorists and the use of our landmarks and streets to menace certain communities and project mob power throughout the world.

“The torching of a synagogue has deepened the view that the government has lost control of the situation and that the safety of the community cannot be guaranteed.”

This masthead first reported on Monday that Jewish people and Israelis would be warned about the risk of antisemitic attacks when visiting Australia under a travel advisory issued by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, a Jewish human rights group named after the world’s most famous Nazi hunter.

The advisory was issued despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese establishing a new federal police taskforce to tackle antisemitism and detectives from the nation’s joint counter-terrorism team taking over the investigation into Friday’s attack on Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea.

It is the first time the centre has issued an advisory against Australia and follows the decision on Monday by Victorian and federal police to declare the pre-dawn firebombing of one of Australia’s busiest synagogues a “likely” terrorist attack.

“I will be sending a letter to the Australian ambassador to the United States informing him that we are going to place a travel advisory on Australia for Jews around the world,” the centre’s associate dean Rabbi Abraham Cooper told this masthead on Monday.

“My hope is this will be a short-lived initiative, but we will want to know specifically what is being done to ensure the integrity of the Jewish community and most importantly, to hold perpetrators culpable for their actions.

“I do this with a heavy heart, but we are not convinced that the authorities in Australia are prepared to take the necessary steps to reassure the Jewish community there.”

The federal police taskforce, codenamed Special Operation Avelite, will increase scrutiny on activists who back violent Palestinian resistance amid antisemitism levels described by Australia’s most senior Jewish politician, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, as the worst of his lifetime.

It will begin its work as the taskforce investigation into Friday’s attack closes in on the suspected arsonists who destroyed the Adass Israel Synagogue. Official sources, unable to speak publicly about the investigation, said the three suspects had been identified but not yet spoken to by police.

Authorities are still working to determine the motivation of the trio, multiple sources said, but the act is being treated as politically rather than religiously motivated. Officers are also working to determine if a car at the scene was being driven by its owner.

Rising social unrest driven by the war in Gaza has dominated political debate since Friday’s attack, which prompted an extraordinary intervention by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a post on X in the early hours of Saturday (AEDT), he linked the attack directly to Australia’s support for Palestinian statehood in the United Nations and put Australia at the centre of a global debate about rising antisemitism in Western democracies.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22139998 (100834ZDEC24) Notable: Man charged over threat to ‘blow up Jewish community centre in Melbourne’s Caulfield - A Brisbane man has been charged after he allegedly threatened to “blow up” a Jewish community centre in Melbourne. The 52-year-old man was arrested by detectives from Queensland’s Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group on Saturday night over the alleged “verbal” threat made towards the Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre in Caulfield earlier that day. While Queensland Police provided no detail of the allegation, sources have told The Australian that the man allegedly threatened via a now-deleted social media post to “blow up” the Beth Weizmann Centre, which is home to 17 Jewish organisations. He has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. Investigators do not believe the alleged threat is related to the firebombing of Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea on Friday - which is being treated as a terrorist attack – despite the locations being only 2.5km apart. Beth Weizmann Centre president Elyse Schachna thanked Queensland Police for their swift action. “Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre is a hub of Jewish life,” she said. “Children attend Jewish studies classes, there is a Jewish library on site, and many of our community organisations have offices there. Our Jewish community is reeling from these unrelenting threats to our security and safety. We need all Australians to say ‘enough is enough’. We want to be left in peace to live our lives. We want an Australia where we are all safe.”

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Man charged over threat to ‘blow up Jewish community centre in Melbourne’s Caulfield

MACKENZIE SCOTT and MOHAMMAD ALFARES - 10 December 2024

A Brisbane man has been charged after he allegedly threatened to “blow up” a Jewish community centre in Melbourne.

The 52-year-old man was arrested by detectives from Queensland’s Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group on Saturday night over the alleged “verbal” threat made towards the Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre in Caulfield earlier that day.

While Queensland Police provided no detail of the allegation, sources have told The Australian that the man allegedly threatened via a now-deleted social media post to “blow up” the Beth Weizmann Centre, which is home to 17 Jewish organisations.

He has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

Investigators do not believe the alleged threat is related to the firebombing of Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea on Friday – which is being treated as a terrorist attack – despite the locations being only 2.5km apart.

Beth Weizmann Centre president Elyse Schachna thanked Queensland Police for their swift action.

“Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre is a hub of Jewish life,” she said.

“Children attend Jewish studies classes, there is a Jewish library on site, and many of our community organisations have offices there.

“Our Jewish community is reeling from these unrelenting threats to our security and safety. We need all Australians to say ‘enough is enough’. We want to be left in peace to live our lives. We want an Australia where we are all safe.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said this was an “extremely serious offence”.

“We know the focus on this (anti-Semitism) at the moment,” he said.

“The Queensland Police Service is absolutely committed to making sure that every Queenslander and people from minority groups feels safe.

“They have that right, and we are committed to supporting them. We have an excellent relationship with the Jewish community here in Queensland.”

While the man lives in the Brisbane suburb of Holland Park, he was arrested more than two hours away at Yarraman State Forrest. He will appear before the Nanango Magistrates Court on January 16, 2025.

It is allegedly the second time this year that the Caulfield centre has been targeted, after the word “genocide” was graffitied onto the entrance in January. In a separate incident in November 2023, a ‘Wall of Hope’ erected to remember the Israeli hostages taken on October 7, 2023, was desecrated with “Free Palestine”.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/man-charged-over-threat-to-blow-up-jewish-community-centre-in-melbournes-caulfield/news-story/008699883b293bc469c52ebb4087840d

https://x.com/BruceHillMelb/status/1746297262421205037

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22145803 (110748ZDEC24) Notable: ‘Those who struck against these sacred walls will be brought to justice’: My message to Jewish community - "The firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue was a vile act of cruelty against a tight-knit community. It was crime of cowardice and prejudice. Above all, it was an act of terrorism. I join with other Australians in my total and unequivocal condemnation of this crime and everything it represents. This was a fire fuelled by antisemitism and stoked by hatred. It was a grotesque violation of a place of solace and sanctuary. It has added to the Jewish Australian community’s already profound pain and sorrow. Australia has been built on respect for each other and a recognition that our diversity of people of different faiths, ethnicity and backgrounds is a national asset that must be cherished and nurtured. The weight every member of this community must feel in their hearts is almost beyond imagining. Among the losses so acutely felt is the burning of the sacred, handwritten Torah scrolls. My government will provide funding for the restoration of the salvageable scrolls and the replacement of those that are beyond repair. That is who we are as Australians. During times of trouble, we have to come together - because it is together we have built such an extraordinary nation. Just over a year ago, not far from the Adass Israel synagogue, we came together to open the Melbourne Holocaust Museum. Across all the heart-wrenching breadth of the museum’s stories, the shortest message it carries is the most important: never again. I say to the community: you are hurting, but you are braver than the cowards that perpetrated this evil. You are stronger than the hatred that spurred them on. And you are not alone. We will see those who struck against these sacred walls brought to justice." - Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia - theage.com.au

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‘Those who struck against these sacred walls will be brought to justice’: My message to Jewish community

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese - December 10, 2024

The firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue was a vile act of cruelty against a tight-knit community. It was crime of cowardice and prejudice. Above all, it was an act of terrorism.

I join with other Australians in my total and unequivocal condemnation of this crime and everything it represents.

This was a fire fuelled by antisemitism and stoked by hatred. It was a grotesque violation of a place of solace and sanctuary.

It has added to the Jewish Australian community’s already profound pain and sorrow.

Australia has been built on respect for each other and a recognition that our diversity of people of different faiths, ethnicity and backgrounds is a national asset that must be cherished and nurtured.

The weight every member of this community must feel in their hearts is almost beyond imagining.

Among the losses so acutely felt is the burning of the sacred, handwritten Torah scrolls.

My government will provide funding for the restoration of the salvageable scrolls and the replacement of those that are beyond repair.

That is who we are as Australians. During times of trouble, we have to come together – because it is together we have built such an extraordinary nation.

During the darkest years of the 20th century, Melbourne offered Jewish people both sanctuary and a future. We should all take pride as Australians that this great city is home to the highest per-capita population of Holocaust survivors outside Israel.

The part of Melbourne that is proudly home to the synagogue is itself a powerful part of the Jewish story in Australia.

It is a story of a community that has made so many extraordinary contributions to our country, a community that has distinguished itself across generations with acts of philanthropy, humanity and generosity.

It is also a community in which so many families have passed down stories of unimaginable loss and suffering, as well as extraordinary survival in the face of overwhelming odds.

Ever since the atrocities of October 7, 2023, Jewish Australians have been confronted with fresh reminders of that old grief and pain.

And amid fears that the long shadows of the past might darken the present, there has been fresh cause to once again call on that well of courage and resilience that has sustained the Jewish people for thousands of years.

Just over a year ago, not far from the Adass Israel synagogue, we came together to open the Melbourne Holocaust Museum.

Across all the heart-wrenching breadth of the museum’s stories, the shortest message it carries is the most important: never again.

I say to the community: you are hurting, but you are braver than the cowards that perpetrated this evil.

You are stronger than the hatred that spurred them on. And you are not alone.

We will see those who struck against these sacred walls brought to justice.

Anthony Albanese is prime minister of Australia.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/those-who-struck-against-these-sacred-walls-will-be-brought-to-justice-pm-s-message-to-jewish-community-20241210-p5kxd7.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22145853 (110813ZDEC24) Notable: Car torched, buildings vandalised: PM lashes ‘evil’ antisemitic attack as police boost Sydney patrols - Police will increase patrols across Sydney to deter antisemitic attacks after vandals again targeted the Jewish community in the city’s eastern suburbs on Wednesday morning. But NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said it would take more than just police to stop crimes motivated by hate after a spate of attacks across Australia, including the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne last week, which has been deemed a likely terrorist incident. The incidents come amid heightened community tensions in Sydney after 14 months of deadly conflict in the Middle East involving Israel, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. In Sydney’s east on Wednesday, Jewish residents were left shaken and upset after learning vandals believed to be aged between 15 and 20 had sprayed anti-Israel messages on two homes and a footpath in the upmarket suburb of Woollahra. “Death 2 Israiel” and “Kill Israiel” were scrawled across the garden walls of homes on Magney Street at about 1am, with messages also sprayed on the footpath outside. A car at the scene, which police believe was stolen, was also set alight. It was the second such attack in Woollahra in a matter of weeks. Cars were damaged and anti-Israel slogans were sprayed on the doors of Matt Moran’s nearby Chiswick restaurant last month. Two men are in custody facing charges over that incident. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for an end to “evil” antisemitism in Australia, adding that attacks like that in Woollahra “diminish us as a nation”.

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Car torched, buildings vandalised: PM lashes ‘evil’ antisemitic attack as police boost Sydney patrols

Catherine Naylor - December 11, 2024

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Warning: Offensive Content

Police will increase patrols across Sydney to deter antisemitic attacks after vandals again targeted the Jewish community in the city’s eastern suburbs on Wednesday morning.

But NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said it would take more than just police to stop crimes motivated by hate after a spate of attacks across Australia, including the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne last week, which has been deemed a likely terrorist incident.

The incidents come amid heightened community tensions in Sydney after 14 months of deadly conflict in the Middle East involving Israel, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In Sydney’s east on Wednesday, Jewish residents were left shaken and upset after learning vandals believed to be aged between 15 and 20 had sprayed anti-Israel messages on two homes and a footpath in the upmarket suburb of Woollahra.

“Death 2 Israiel” and “Kill Israiel” were scrawled across the garden walls of homes on Magney Street at about 1am, with messages also sprayed on the footpath outside. A car at the scene, which police believe was stolen, was also set alight.

It was the second such attack in Woollahra in a matter of weeks. Cars were damaged and anti-Israel slogans were sprayed on the doors of Matt Moran’s nearby Chiswick restaurant last month. Two men are in custody facing charges over that incident.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for an end to “evil” antisemitism in Australia, adding that attacks like that in Woollahra “diminish us as a nation”.

“To awake to this latest attack just a matter of kilometres from here, in Woollahra … [it] is completely abhorrent to who we are as Australians,” he said during a visit to the Sydney Jewish Museum on Wednesday afternoon.

“They are acts which are aimed at promoting fear in the community, and that, by any definition, is what terrorism is about.

“We need a whole of government, a whole of society [effort], as well, to make sure this is stamped out.”

Premier Chris Minns condemned the attack as “a disgusting display of antisemitism” designed to put fear into the hearts of those who live in Sydney’s east, noting Woollahra has a large Jewish population.

He said he was also open to introducing tougher laws to stop hate crimes.

“This isn’t just a random act of destruction,” he said. “This was a targeted attack in Sydney’s eastern suburbs … directly after the burning down of a synagogue.

“We cannot have a situation where we are importing conflicts around the world onto the streets of Sydney and saying, ‘Well, it’s just inevitable because something happened on the other side of the world’. That’s not going to be the case in Australia.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22145871 (110827ZDEC24) Notable: Video: Police hunt two disguised men over Woollahra hate crime attack - A shocking anti-Semitic attack in Sydney’s east was intended to “strike fear” into the Jewish community, NSW Premier Chris Minns says, vowing that those ­responsible will face the full force of the law, as police continue to hunt for a pair of teenagers ­believed to be connected to the violent “hate crime”. NSW Police on Wednesday issued an appeal for information for the disguised young men, who are believed to have been in Woollahra when a stolen car was set alight around 1am, and at least three buildings were tagged with anti-Semitic slurs. The attack marks the second in a month for the prominent Jewish suburb, and is the latest in a long spate of anti-Semitic strikes on Jewish communities across the nation after a Melbourne synagogue was firebombed last Friday. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb described the attack as “disgusting” and said the police had been given extra resources to hold the offenders responsible. “A full police response is under way and it commenced immediately with local regional and terrorism police being called out last night,” Commissioner Webb said. “There is still a very active crime scene investigation at that location in Woollahra and police have been working around the clock to follow all leads. There will be an extensive investigation and it will take time. Police will be doorknocking and calling on any witnesses. “The perpetrators were disguised and we need public assistance to come forward and help identify those two people, and any information they have is welcome.” The two males wanted by police are aged between 15 and 20, have been described as of slim build, and were wearing face coverings and dark clothing.

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Police hunt two disguised men over Woollahra hate crime attack

ELLIE DUDLEY and LIAM MENDES - 11 December 2024

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A shocking anti-Semitic attack in Sydney’s east was intended to “strike fear” into the Jewish community, NSW Premier Chris Minns says, vowing that those ­responsible will face the full force of the law, as police continue to hunt for a pair of teenagers ­believed to be connected to the violent “hate crime”.

NSW Police on Wednesday issued an appeal for information for the disguised young men, who are believed to have been in Woollahra when a stolen car was set alight around 1am, and at least three buildings were tagged with anti-Semitic slurs.

The attack marks the second in a month for the prominent Jewish suburb, and is the latest in a long spate of anti-Semitic strikes on Jewish communities across the nation after a Melbourne synagogue was firebombed last Friday.

Mr Minns said the incident – in which the words “kill Israiel” (sic) and “death 2 Israiel” (sic) were scrawled across multiple buildings – was a “racist” attempt to “divide our city”.

He said anti-Semitic behaviour in NSW would not be tolerated.

“This is not simply just an act of vandalism on the streets of Sydney. We need to call it out for what it is,” he said. “The sequence of events leading up to it, the graffiti that accompanied it, clearly identify that this is an attack on our community and the Jewish community in Sydney. It is anti-Semitic and it needs to be met with a full response from NSW Police and the NSW government.”

Mr Minns said there was no point in “sugar-coating or downplaying” the rising level of anti-­Semitic attacks in Australia.

“This was specifically designed to, in my view, incite hate and intimidate the Jewish community in Sydney,” he said. “So that’s the first thing we need to do – be clear and unambiguous about the meaning of this crime.”

In late November, two men were arrested and charged following another attack in Woollahra, in which “f.ck Israel” was smeared across nine cars, as well as apartment buildings and Matt Moran’s Chiswick restaurant.

Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna on Wednesday said police do not believe the latest attack is linked to the earlier one.

He confirmed the car set alight belonged to the offenders, not to a local resident.

“We don’t believe these incidents were linked. The offenders from the last attack are still in custody,” he said. “The vehicle that was set on fire was not a resident’s vehicle, it was actually the vehicle the offenders came in. It is the graffiti itself, the anti-Semitic remarks, that they have spray-painted on those houses, the footpath, that we are investigating.”

A large can of vegetable cooking oil with what smelled like petrol inside was left at the crime scene on Magney Street.

The tin was found around 2m from where the burnt-out car was located on Wednesday morning. Two unmarked police cars arrived around 10 minutes after a call to Bondi Police Station was made about the abandoned can. One ununiformed officer took photographs of the can, which is about a third full of the substance.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22145883 (110838ZDEC24) Notable: Greens staffer reprimanded for suggesting synagogue arson may have been ‘false flag’ - Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi has reprimanded her chief of staff for suggesting last week’s Melbourne synagogue firebombing could have been perpetrated by supporters of an Israeli state to provoke outrage about antisemitism. Antoun Issa, a former Guardian Australia journalist who works for the Greens’ antiracism spokeswoman, urged people not to rush to judgment about the motivation for the attack after the Coalition put pressure on Labor to declare it was terrorism. “It could very well be a white supremacist or someone enraged by the genocide or a Zionist false-flag,” he told his 15,000 Instagram followers on Monday. “They’ve done this before,” Issa added, without elaborating. After this masthead asked Faruqi’s office about the post, the senator said the remarks were “inadvisable and inappropriate”. “I do not agree with it, and have counselled my staff member about it,” Faruqi said in a statement. Greens leader Adam Bandt also called the post inappropriate. Issa said: “In hindsight, I regret this post and it was inappropriate. This post was intended to be an academic exercise about the risks of ascribing blame for a crime before the police have come to their conclusions, especially given the prevalence of white supremacy and far-right extremism.” Issa’s comments stand in contrast with those of Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network head Nasser Mashni who unequivocally slammed the arsonists on Sunday, saying the act was antisemitic no matter who was behind it.

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Greens staffer reprimanded for suggesting synagogue arson may have been ‘false flag’

Paul Sakkal - December 11, 2024

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Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi has reprimanded her chief of staff for suggesting last week’s Melbourne synagogue firebombing could have been perpetrated by supporters of an Israeli state to provoke outrage about antisemitism.

Antoun Issa, a former Guardian Australia journalist who works for the Greens’ antiracism spokeswoman, urged people not to rush to judgment about the motivation for the attack after the Coalition put pressure on Labor to declare it was terrorism.

“It could very well be a white supremacist or someone enraged by the genocide or a Zionist false-flag,” he told his 15,000 Instagram followers on Monday. “They’ve done this before,” Issa added, without elaborating.

After this masthead asked Faruqi’s office about the post, the senator said the remarks were “inadvisable and inappropriate”.

“I do not agree with it, and have counselled my staff member about it,” Faruqi said in a statement. Greens leader Adam Bandt also called the post inappropriate.

Issa said: “In hindsight, I regret this post and it was inappropriate. This post was intended to be an academic exercise about the risks of ascribing blame for a crime before the police have come to their conclusions, especially given the prevalence of white supremacy and far-right extremism.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Melbourne radio last Friday, the day of the attack, that it was an antisemitic hate crime. “I think an attack on a synagogue is an act of antisemitism by definition,” Albanese said.

Authorities over the weekend identified three suspects and deemed the act politically motivated, though the ideology of the trio remains unknown. On Monday, police described it as “likely a terrorist incident”.

The post from Issa, who is also a prominent pro-Palestinian commentator, follows several Greens MPs and candidates making comments aligned with a radical fringe of the Palestinian protest movement.

Faruqi in July declined to answer repeated questions about whether Hamas should be dismantled if a Palestinian state was established. Greens NSW MP Jenny Leong apologised and donated money to a Jewish museum after invoking an antisemitic trope by suggesting Jewish groups feigned support for community campaigns to hook their “tentacles” into powerful networks.

Issa’s comments stand in contrast with those of Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network head Nasser Mashni who unequivocally slammed the arsonists on Sunday, saying the act was antisemitic no matter who was behind it.

“Our movement has no room for hate,” Mashni said at a Melbourne rally.

Sarah Schwartz, of the left-wing, largely anti-Zionist Jewish Council of Australia, condemned “conspiracy theories spreading online about the synagogue attack being an ‘inside job’.”

“Those using this language may not be aware of its antisemitic undertones. There are already enough people, including our politicians, trying to politicise this act of hate for their own agendas,” Schwartz said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22151578 (120810ZDEC24) Notable: Rupert Murdoch visits firebombed Melbourne synagogue - Rupert Murdoch has visited the Adass Israel synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea, six days after it was firebombed in what is being investigated as a terrorist attack. He visited alongside his wife, Elena Zhukova, shortly after making an appearance at News Corp’s Melbourne headquarters, where he met former colleagues and executives and was seen in public for the first time since losing his bid to shift the terms of his family trust. Murdoch was joined by Adass Israel community members at the damaged synagogue, which he visited alongside conservative columnist and TV host Andrew Bolt. Murdoch, who is making his first visit to Australian in six years, spent several hours at News Corp’s Melbourne offices on Thursday after arriving in Australia last week. On Monday, a Nevada probate commissioner rejected his bid to alter his family trust and hand control of his global media assets in the event of his death to his eldest son, Lachlan, at the expense of his other children - James, Elisabeth and Prudence. Murdoch met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other high-profile guests at Lachlan’s annual Christmas party in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill last week.

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>>>/qresearch/22140000

Rupert Murdoch visits firebombed Melbourne synagogue

Calum Jaspan - December 12, 2024

Rupert Murdoch has visited the Adass Israel synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea, six days after it was firebombed in what is being investigated as a terrorist attack.

He visited alongside his wife, Elena Zhukova, shortly after making an appearance at News Corp’s Melbourne headquarters, where he met former colleagues and executives and was seen in public for the first time since losing his bid to shift the terms of his family trust.

Murdoch was joined by Adass Israel community members at the damaged synagogue, which he visited alongside conservative columnist and TV host Andrew Bolt.

Murdoch, who is making his first visit to Australian in six years, spent several hours at News Corp’s Melbourne offices on Thursday after arriving in Australia last week.

On Monday, a Nevada probate commissioner rejected his bid to alter his family trust and hand control of his global media assets in the event of his death to his eldest son, Lachlan, at the expense of his other children – James, Elisabeth and Prudence.

Murdoch met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other high-profile guests at Lachlan’s annual Christmas party in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill last week.

News Corp staff were informed of Murdoch’s visit to The Herald and Weekly Times Southbank building on Thursday. Murdoch was born in Melbourne in 1931 and educated at Geelong Grammar.

During his visit, Murdoch met former News Corp Australia chief executive Julian Clarke, as well as recently departed columnist Terry McCrann, who was spotted arriving at lunchtime and leaving with a framed and signed cartoon several hours later.

Murdoch departed in a Range Rover alongside Sky News presenter and Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt. His niece, Herald & Weekly Times chair Penny Fowler, was accompanying the group as it left the building.

McCrann was lured from The Age in 1987 to join the Melbourne Herald through a series of covert park bench meetings in Treasury Gardens. He stayed at the paper for nearly four decades until his formal departure this year.

On Monday, The New York Times revealed that Rupert Murdoch had lost his bid to amend the terms of an irrevocable family trust that would have handed Lachlan total control over the family’s empire.

Nevada probate commissioner Edmund Gorman Jr deemed Murdoch’s move to have been in “bad faith”, the Times reported.

https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/rupert-murdoch-spotted-in-melbourne-after-losing-family-trust-bid-20241212-p5kxwz.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22151604 (120822ZDEC24) Notable: Video: Australia backs UN vote for ‘unconditional ceasefire’ amid Netanyahu fury - Australia has backed an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza while rebuking Israel’s attempt to block a key aid agency from working in the Palestinian territories in overnight votes at the United Nations that toughen its stance on the Middle East war. As the Australia-Israel relationship frays following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public condemnation of the Albanese government, Australia joined countries including the United Kingdom and New Zealand on Thursday to vote in favour of the two resolutions at the United Nations General Assembly. But the federal government drew criticism from the Coalition, which has called for Australia to follow the United States in siding with Israel as it accuses Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of fuelling homegrown antisemitism following two acts of vandalism in the past seven days. The first motion Australia voted for overnight called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. It was supported by 158 countries, while nine voted against and 13 abstained. The second resolution - backed by 159 countries, with nine against and 11 abstentions – affirmed full international support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is the main provider of humanitarian aid in Gaza. It also lamented recent legislation passed by the Israeli parliament to prevent UNRWA from operating in the Palestinian territories. Israel claims the agency is anti-Israel and says its workers have conducted terrorist activities, while UNRWA says it has investigated and sacked any personnel involved in terrorism and is neutral in the broader conflict.

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Australia backs UN vote for ‘unconditional ceasefire’ amid Netanyahu fury

Natassia Chrysanthos - December 12, 2024

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Australia has backed an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza while rebuking Israel’s attempt to block a key aid agency from working in the Palestinian territories in overnight votes at the United Nations that toughen its stance on the Middle East war.

As the Australia-Israel relationship frays following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public condemnation of the Albanese government, Australia joined countries including the United Kingdom and New Zealand on Thursday to vote in favour of the two resolutions at the United Nations General Assembly.

But the federal government drew criticism from the Coalition, which has called for Australia to follow the United States in siding with Israel as it accuses Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of fuelling homegrown antisemitism following two acts of vandalism in the past seven days.

Coalition frontbencher James Paterson said on Thursday that Albanese had traded votes at the UN for votes in inner-city electorates.

“This is gaslighting of the Jewish community while claiming to be concerned about antisemitism,” he said.

Jewish leaders have previously cautioned against claims that Labor is to blame for a surge in antisemitism after Netanyahu cited Australia’s previous votes in the UN to link the government’s actions to last week’s Melbourne synagogue attack.

The first motion Australia voted for overnight called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. It was supported by 158 countries, while nine voted against and 13 abstained.

The second resolution – backed by 159 countries, with nine against and 11 abstentions – affirmed full international support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is the main provider of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

It also lamented recent legislation passed by the Israeli parliament to prevent UNRWA from operating in the Palestinian territories. Israel claims the agency is anti-Israel and says its workers have conducted terrorist activities, while UNRWA says it has investigated and sacked any personnel involved in terrorism and is neutral in the broader conflict.

James Larsen, Australia’s ambassador to the UN, said there were shortcomings in the way the resolutions were written but further delay in securing a ceasefire would only cost more lives.

“In terms of reservations, we support the United States’ proposal for an immediate ceasefire deal with the release of hostages ... Ceasefires have conditions that parties must agree. This reality should have been reflected in the resolution,” Larsen said.

“Moreover, Australia remains unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas. This resolution should have done the same ... Hamas must lay down their arms. There can be no role for terrorists in the future governance of Gaza.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22151641 (120842ZDEC24) Notable: Video: Brisbane man arrested for ‘death to Jews’ sign outside his home - A Queensland man accused of displaying the words “death to Jews” and vilifying non-whites on an electronic sign outside his home has been charged by counter-terrorism police. Amid an alarming spate of anti-Semitic attacks interstate, Peter Allan Flanagan, 52, from Morningside in Brisbane’s south has been charged under new hate crime laws that came into effect earlier this year. Detectives from Queensland’s Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group with assistance from Morningside police station executed a search warrant at a Bundara Street residence Wednesday and seized the sign, a computer, and a phone. Mr Flanagan was arrested at the scene and has been charged with one count each of serious racial, religious, sexuality, or gender identity vilification, serious assault and obstructing police. Police video footage shows officers storming a unit, where it’s understood they found Nazi symbols on walls inside. A police prosecutor told the court the racial vilification offence carried a maximum three-year prison sentence. Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond said everyone in Queensland had a right to feel safe and racial vilification would not be tolerated. “We urge people to remain respectful and we strongly condemn anyone who incites violence and hatred within our community,” she said. “There is no place for anti-Semitism or prejudice or hatred of any kind. As a result of a recent legislative change in Queensland, instances of serious vilification and hate crime are now criminal matters and police will act against those responsible.”

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>>>/qresearch/21949348

Brisbane man arrested for `death to Jews’ sign outside his home

DAVID MURRAY - 12 December 2024

A Queensland man accused of displaying the words “death to Jews” and vilifying non-whites on an electronic sign outside his home has been charged by counter-terrorism police.

Amid an alarming spate of anti-Semitic attacks interstate, Peter Allan Flanagan, 52, from Morningside in Brisbane’s south has been charged under new hate crime laws that came into effect earlier this year.

Detectives from Queensland’s Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group with assistance from Morningside police station executed a search warrant at a Bundara Street residence Wednesday and seized the sign, a computer, and a phone.

Mr Flanagan was arrested at the scene and has been charged with one count each of serious racial, religious, sexuality, or gender identity vilification, serious assault and obstructing police.

Police video footage shows officers storming a unit, where it’s understood they found Nazi symbols on walls inside.

His case was briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, where lawyer Renee Smith said Mr Flanagan would not be applying for bail.

“He already has a lawyer in relation to other matters,” she said.

A police prosecutor told the court the racial vilification offence carried a maximum three-year prison sentence.

Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond said everyone in Queensland had a right to feel safe and racial vilification would not be tolerated.

“We urge people to remain respectful and we strongly condemn anyone who incites violence and hatred within our community,” she said.

“There is no place for anti-Semitism or prejudice or hatred of any kind. As a result of a recent legislative change in Queensland, instances of serious vilification and hate crime are now criminal matters and police will act against those responsible.”

Laws passed in Queensland’s parliament in October last year banned the public display of hate symbols and increased penalties for hate crimes and serious vilification.

The laws came into effect in late April, making it a crime to display some hate symbols that cause a member of the public to feel menaced, harassed or offended.

Magistrate Julian Noud adjourned Mr Flanagan’s case until January 20.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/brisbane-man-arrested-for-displaying-nazi-symbols-outside-his-home/news-story/13b5ae00afd5ca45fe9f0c8f387be3a7

https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-qld/brisbane-man-charged-for-alleged-antisemitic-sign-in-window-of-home/news-story/5165efc1d63a6521b22118a8375162bf

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22157680 (131150ZDEC24) Notable: Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan ‘emotional’ at firebombed Adass Israel Synagogue - Jacinta Allan toured the burnt-out Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne’s southeast in a surprise visit on Friday morning to speak with community leaders. The Victorian Premier was shown the destruction wreaked by the firebombing which is now being investigated as a terrorist attack by police. Meir Chaim Spigelman, president of the Adass Israel community, told Ms Allan that he appreciated her visit. Ms Allan offered to “continue to walk with” the community and provide support from the government. “We are with you,” she told them. Abe Weiszberger, a member of the Adass community, told the Premier that the community was “shattered, brutally shattered” by the attack which has left whole sections of the synagogue in ruins. Community members remarked on the “smell of hate” inside the synagogue where a metallic smokey stench sits heavily. Mr Weiszberger said that Ms Allan was emotional during the visit and was “sitting here in tears”. “I thought it was very, very nice of her to show the genuine part of her,” he said. Ms Allan described the visit as an “overwhelming emotional experience”. She said she has “practical solutions” to help with the synagogue’s rebuild which will focus on maintaining continuity for the congregation. Zionism Victoria organised Ms Allan’s visit, which saw her go to a number of synagogues in the community.

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>>276799

>>276833

>>>/qresearch/22118302

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan ‘emotional’ at firebombed Adass Israel Synagogue

BRENDAN KEARNS - 13 December 2024

Jacinta Allan toured the burnt-out Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne’s southeast in a surprise visit on Friday morning to speak with community leaders.

The Victorian Premier was shown the destruction wreaked by the firebombing which is now being investigated as a terrorist attack by police.

Meir Chaim Spigelman, president of the Adass Israel community, told Ms Allan that he appreciated her visit.

Ms Allan offered to “continue to walk with” the community and provide support from the government. “We are with you,” she told them.

Abe Weiszberger, a member of the Adass community, told the Premier that the community was “shattered, brutally shattered” by the attack which has left whole sections of the synagogue in ruins.

Community members remarked on the “smell of hate” inside the synagogue where a metallic smokey stench sits heavily.

Ms Allan was under pressure after not attending a vigil on Sunday at the firebombed synagogue. She defended her decision, saying that she visited in the immediate aftermath of the attack on Friday morning last week.

“I attended the Adass Israel synagogue on Friday in the hours after the attack, and I was there to provide support,” she said at the time.

Mr Weiszberger said that Ms Allan was emotional during the visit and was “sitting here in tears”.

“I thought it was very, very nice of her to show the genuine part of her,” he said.

Ms Allan described the visit as an “overwhelming emotional experience”.

“It was impossible not to be moved,” she told The Australian.

“It was an overwhelming emotional experience to see this shocking damage and comprehend the evil that committed it.

“But what I will remember most is the resilience of the Adass Israel community.”

She said she has “practical solutions” to help with the synagogue’s rebuild which will focus on maintaining continuity for the congregation.

Zionism Victoria organised Ms Allan’s visit, which saw her go to a number of synagogues in the community.

Elyse Schachna said “Every conversation our Premier has with the Jewish community to hear first-hand their experiences with Jew-hate over the last year is important.

“The Jewish community, not only in Melbourne, but across the country have had one of our most difficult weeks in living memory, and we understand the importance of engaging with our leaders to fix this issue from the top.”

Other faith leaders have come out to say that anti-Semitism is a wider problem for all faiths in Australia in response to the past week of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel attacks.

Murray Norman, CEO of Faith NSW and Better Balanced Futures, which engages with faith communities across Australia, said anti-semitism needed to be rooted out for the benefit of all faith groups.

“Everyone needs to go in shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community and say this is not good enough,” he said, adding that “when you help one faith community, they are very keen to reciprocate” when it’s needed.

Trucking billionaire Lindsay Fox also visited the synagogue on Friday morning and was pictured with community leaders.

Ms Allan’s appearance coincided with a visit from the Austrian Ambassador to Australia, Elisabeth Koegler, who was there to show solidarity and support for the community.

“It’s very important in Australia, fighting anti-Semitism. It’s a big task, a big challenge nowadays,” said Ms Koegler.

She said that it felt different seeing the devastation in person. “You can see how the community reacts and how important it is that people are coming and showing their support.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/the-premier-spoke-with-community-leaders-inside-the-burntout-adass-israel-synagogue/news-story/221e300bd50493e9ae8f896edea5109c

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22157692 (131156ZDEC24) Notable: Palestinian general delegation says Australia moving in ‘right direction’ - The Palestinian Authority’s representatives in Australia have trumpeted Labor’s efforts to increase their power in the UN and called for more funding for the UN aid agency with ties to terror group Hamas. A day after Anthony Albanese pleaded for unity to stamp out anti-Semitism while defending his government against claims its support for anti-Israel motions at the UN was encouraging attacks on Australian Jews, the nation’s leading Palestinian lobby said Labor’s moves on the global stage sent a “powerful message” to Israel. “The general delegation of Palestine acknowledges with deep appreciation the positive trajectory of the Australian government in increasingly recognising and supporting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people,” the delegation’s head, Izzat Salah Abdulhadi, said. “Recent achievements in the international legal struggle for Palestinian rights send a powerful message to Israel, the occupying power, that the rule of law will prevail; Israel’s unlawful occupation will end and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination, will be achieved.” Australia joined an overwhelming majority of countries in the General Assembly on Thursday morning AEDT backing an emergency UN resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza that was not tied to the release of Israeli hostages. It also included no requirement that Hamas be removed, and called for the UN’s Palestinian aid agency, UNRWA, to be given unhindered access to Gaza. Australia’s ambassador to the UN, James Larsen, said Australia had reservations about the wording of the resolutions but voted for them because it was committed to ending the suffering in the Palestinian enclave.

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Palestinian general delegation says Australia moving in ‘right direction’

SARAH ISON and BEN PACKHAM - December 12, 2024

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The Palestinian Authority’s representatives in Australia have trumpeted Labor’s efforts to increase their power in the UN and called for more funding for the UN aid agency with ties to terror group Hamas.

A day after Anthony Albanese pleaded for unity to stamp out anti-Semitism while defending his government against claims its support for anti-Israel motions at the UN was encouraging attacks on Australian Jews, the nation’s leading Palestinian lobby said Labor’s moves on the global stage sent a “powerful message” to Israel.

“The general delegation of Palestine acknowledges with deep appreciation the positive trajectory of the Australian government in increasingly recognising and supporting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people,” the delegation’s head, Izzat Salah Abdulhadi, said.

“Recent achievements in the international legal struggle for Palestinian rights send a powerful message to Israel, the occupying power, that the rule of law will prevail; Israel’s unlawful occupation will end and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination, will be achieved.”

Australia joined an overwhelming majority of countries in the General Assembly on Thursday morning AEDT backing an emergency UN resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza that was not tied to the release of Israeli hostages.

It also included no requirement that Hamas be removed, and called for the UN’s Palestinian aid agency, UNRWA, to be given unhindered access to Gaza.

Australia’s ambassador to the UN, James Larsen, said Australia had reservations about the wording of the resolutions but voted for them because it was committed to ending the suffering in the Palestinian enclave.

“The current situation in Gaza is catastrophic, the human suffering unbearable,” he said. “Israel must take urgent action to alleviate this humanitarian crisis, in line with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice.”

Mr Salah Abdulhadi said he welcomed Australia’s reaffirmation of support for UNRWA and urged the government “to increase its financial support to the agency accordingly”.

He also condemned all attacks on Australian Jewish communities, which he said did “not serve the Palestinian cause or represent Palestinian interests”.

The UN vote came as Labor MP Josh Burns accused Melbourne University of “saying a lot but doing very little” to stop the targeting of Jewish staff and students after its vice-chancellor revealed there had been more than 150 incidents of anti-Semitism on campus in the past 12 months.

Executive Council of Aus­tralian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the ceasefire resolution was immoral, expecting Israel to “betray its own citizens”.

“By calling for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the General Assembly is effectively demanding that Israel abandon the hostages to their fate, and allow the Hamas terrorists to re-establish themselves as the de facto rulers of Gaza,” he said. “If this resolution were to be put into effect, it would be a green light to Hamas to regroup, rearm and prepare for a terrorist attack against Israel.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22162952 (141147ZDEC24) Notable: Australian Federal Police charge Melbourne man who allegedly displayed Hezbollah flag at rally - A Melbourne man has been charged over allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during protests in Melbourne's CBD this year. Australian Federal Police allege the 36-year-old displayed the flag on September 29, when thousands of people rallied in Melbourne in the wake of the assassination of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organisation by the government of Australia, along with the US, UK and EU. The appearance of the flag at the rally posed a test of legislation passed late last year prohibiting the public display or trade in symbols used by prohibited terrorist organisations. The penalty under the legislation is 12 months of imprisonment. A Ferntree Gully man was charged on Friday with one count of public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol, and will face a Melbourne court in March. AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Nick Read said more than a dozen people remain under investigation over similar offences, with police operations still ongoing. Commander Read said more than 1,100 hours had been dedicated to investigating the incidents, and that he expected further charges would be laid against other alleged offenders.

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Australian Federal Police charge Melbourne man who allegedly displayed Hezbollah flag at rally

abc.net.au - 14 December 2024

A Melbourne man has been charged over allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during protests in Melbourne's CBD this year.

Australian Federal Police allege the 36-year-old displayed the flag on September 29, when thousands of people rallied in Melbourne in the wake of the assassination of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organisation by the government of Australia, along with the US, UK and EU.

The appearance of the flag at the rally posed a test of legislation passed late last year prohibiting the public display or trade in symbols used by prohibited terrorist organisations.

The penalty under the legislation is 12 months of imprisonment.

A Ferntree Gully man was charged on Friday with one count of public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol, and will face a Melbourne court in March.

AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Nick Read said more than a dozen people remain under investigation over similar offences, with police operations still ongoing.

"Three search warrants have been executed against three individuals, while a further three people have been spoken to by investigators," he said.

"A number of mobile telephones have been seized, as well as an item of clothing depicting a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol."

Commander Read said more than 1,100 hours had been dedicated to investigating the incidents, and that he expected further charges would be laid against other alleged offenders.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-14/melbourne-man-hezbollah-flag-charges/104725872

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22168002 (150727ZDEC24) Notable: Many in Jewish community fear Australia is at a ‘tipping point’ - Australian Jews are afraid the country is at “tipping point” and it’s only a matter of time before people are physically hurt, as crowds on Sunday warned the federal government that ‘time’s up’ following an escalation of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic attacks over the past few weeks. About 300 Jews and Israelis booed Anthony Albanese as speaker Hagit Ashual of the Zionist Council NSW called on him to take stronger action at the “Enough is Enough” rally in Sydney’s Martin Place, saying “we need you take a no tolerance approach to anti-Semitism, hatred and violent speech in our streets”. The event followed a second vandalism attack in Woollahra and the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne. Later, crowds later vocalised disappointment at Penny Wong’s “support” of a “disgraceful ICC (International Criminal Court)” and voting at the United Nations “in favour of resolutions that Australia would never have supported in the past”. Rabbi of Sydney’s Great Synagogue Benjamin Elton said “we are now at a tipping point” and “this is no longer a threat, this is our reality” after 70 activists demonstrated outside the place of worship, leaving a group of Australian Jews locked inside earlier this month. “My shul and its predecessors have been worshipping in the city centre for almost 200 years … But it took until 2024 for there to be a demonstration outside our synagogue. That is not progress. That is our society in crisis,” he said.

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Many in Jewish community fear Australia is at a ‘tipping point’

JOANNA PANAGOPOULOS - 15 December 2024

Australian Jews are afraid the country is at “tipping point” and it’s only a matter of time before people are physically hurt, as crowds on Sunday warned the federal government that ‘time’s up’ following an escalation of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic attacks over the past few weeks.

About 300 Jews and Israelis booed Anthony Albanese as speaker Hagit Ashual of the Zionist Council NSW called on him to take stronger action at the “Enough is Enough” rally in Sydney’s Martin Place, saying “we need you take a no tolerance approach to anti-Semitism, hatred and violent speech in our streets”.

The event followed a second vandalism attack in Woollahra and the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne.

Later, crowds later vocalised disappointment at Penny Wong’s “support” of a “disgraceful ICC (International Criminal Court)” and voting at the United Nations “in favour of resolutions that Australia would never have supported in the past”.

Rabbi of Sydney’s Great Synagogue Benjamin Elton said “we are now at a tipping point” and “this is no longer a threat, this is our reality” after 70 activists demonstrated outside the place of worship, leaving a group of Australian Jews locked inside earlier this month.

“My shul and its predecessors have been worshipping in the city centre for almost 200 years … But it took until 2024 for there to be a demonstration outside our synagogue. That is not progress. That is our society in crisis,” he said.

“We ask that places of worship including the Great Synagogue, and all other synagogues, are made safe, because what we have seen in the last couple of weeks is that violence in Woollahra and destruction in our streets, of a Jewish suburban area, leads to the torching of a synagogue in Ripponlea, and who knows what is going to happen next.

“Now is the time to make a stance, because all of Australia is going to suffer if Jews or Christians or Muslims or anyone else, cannot assemble in their places of worship in freedom and in safety, and with an understanding that we respect each other.”

“In Australia in 2024, they’re burning down synagogues, and now we have to say enough is enough.”

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma called for “enough of synagogues being firebombed … enough of Jewish businesses being boycotted, enough of Jews being doxxed, (and) enough of Jewish neighbourhoods being vandalised by vigilantes”. TV chef Ed Halmagyi, whose Jewish bakery has been repeatedly vandalised, told the crowd that joy and “building community” was the antidote to hate.

Zack Shachar, the cousin of Israeli hostage Naama Levy, who was captured by Hamas on October 7, told The Australian that the past two weeks had been the worst period for Jews in Australia since October 7. Mr Shachar was one of a dozen who read out the names of all the hostages “to make sure that they are not forgotten”.

“As a citizen of Australia, a lot of what came into my head (this week), we started to talk about what would be the red line for us? And if this line is crossed, what are we going to do about it? It’s not 1936 or 1939. We’re not going to wait until something happens. If things are escalated here, I think we’re going to have to rethink what we’re going to do,” he said.

Mr Shachar said he had tossed up going back to Israel, moving to a less Jewish populated area of Sydney where he would not be identified, or moving to New Zealand or another country.

“I’m very disappointed from the government. After 14 months, we’ve got to the point where we have to think of our future in Australia, after almost 15 years here,” he said.

“It’s like the frog in the pot. You’re heating up the water slowly. It’s getting worse and worse and worse. It started with just words, then it escalated to actions, and then they are firebombing the synagogue and here in Sydney as well. It’s just a matter of time before someone physically gets hurt.”

Many people were angry, and apprehensive for what was still to come, calling the events of the past few weeks “absolutely disgusting”.

“It’s disgusting that our governments are not more active about solving the problem … It is just disgraceful, absolutely disgraceful what’s happening,” Alex Gelman OAM said.

“The more silent our government is, the worse it’s going to get. So we all need to stand up and reclaim our streets.

“There’s definitely urgency, because these things are just going to get worse … It’s really important we deal with this in its embryonic stage, before it gets out of hand.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/many-in-jewish-community-fear-australia-is-at-a-tipping-point/news-story/e9de316179018a38e7d29ebb03bd8898

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22168005 (150730ZDEC24) Notable: Jacinta Allan will ‘leave no stone unturned’ to fight anti-Semitism - Victoria’s Labor government will leave “no stone unturned” to combat anti-Semitism, as Premier Jacinta Allan is set to introduce a suite of protest reforms in the wake of the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue and a surge in anti-Jewish sentiment across Australia. The proposed measures include enhanced police powers to disperse protests that promote extremism or religious hatred, a ban on face coverings and hate-inciting signage at rallies, as well as banning protests outside places of worship. It’s understood the changes, which will come in addition to new anti-vilification laws, will span several government portfolios to provide boosted support for the Jewish community and initiatives to fight religious division in Victoria. Premier Allan told The Australian on Sunday the Jewish community deserved more than “thoughts and prayers”. “I will never forget the sight and the smell of that blackened synagogue for the rest of my life,” Ms Allan said. “I will never forget the harrowing stories of escape from this act of terror. “We must leave no stone unturned to fight the evil of anti-Semitism in all its forms, and restore social cohesion in our multicultural state. “In the face of rising anti-Semitism, Jews deserve more than our thoughts and prayers. They deserve action that makes a difference. So does everyone who’s ever been made to feel unsafe or unwelcome in Victoria just because of who they are or who they pray to.”

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>>276864

Jacinta Allan will ‘leave no stone unturned’ to fight anti-Semitism

MOHAMMAD ALFARES - 15 December 2024

Victoria’s Labor government will leave “no stone unturned” to combat anti-Semitism, as Premier Jacinta Allan is set to introduce a suite of protest reforms in the wake of the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue and a surge in anti-Jewish sentiment across Australia.

The proposed measures include enhanced police powers to disperse protests that promote extremism or religious hatred, a ban on face coverings and hate-inciting signage at rallies, as well as banning protests outside places of worship.

It’s understood the changes, which will come in addition to new anti-vilification laws, will span several government portfolios to provide boosted support for the Jewish community and initiatives to fight religious division in Victoria.

Premier Allan told The Australian on Sunday the Jewish community deserved more than “thoughts and prayers”.

“I will never forget the sight and the smell of that blackened synagogue for the rest of my life,” Ms Allan said. “I will never forget the harrowing stories of escape from this act of terror.

“We must leave no stone unturned to fight the evil of anti-Semitism in all its forms, and restore social cohesion in our multicultural state.

“In the face of rising anti-Semitism, Jews deserve more than our thoughts and prayers. They deserve action that makes a difference. So does everyone who’s ever been made to feel unsafe or unwelcome in Victoria just because of who they are or who they pray to.”

It’s not clear when the reforms will be implemented, as pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters descend in Melbourne at the weekly Sunday rally.

Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines said much of the proposed reforms were under active considerations, with the government in talks with their NSW counterparts to seek advice on banning protests at places of worship.

“When we look at face masks and alike, people who wear balaclavas and cover their identities when they attend protests, are doing so to cause trouble, are doing so to intimidate people and we won’t stand for it,” Mr Carbines said.

“In consultation with Victoria Police’s executive command, if we can bring proposals to the cabinet for consideration then we will deal with those matters.”

Opposition Home Affairs spokesperson James Paterson told The Australian it shouldn’t take 14 months and a synagogue being firebombed for the Allan government to take seriously the threat of anti-Semitism.

“Like their Labor colleagues in Canberra, the Victorian government ignored the warnings of the Jewish community and the opposition that we had a serious crisis on our hands,” Senator Paterson said.

“But new laws are worth nothing if they are not enforced and that is what the Allan and Albanese government will be judged by.”

Premier Allan’s announcement comes a week after Australia’s peak Jewish body urged Anthony Albanese to ban protests outside places of worship.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) said the country was flung into “peril” after the Adass Israel synagogue was firebombed in a terrorist attack last week.

“When one group of Australians cannot safely gather in its houses of prayer, the very character of this country as a free, democratic and multicultural society is in peril,” the letter said.

Mr Albanese addressed the media in Tasmania on Sunday but did not speak about the proposed reforms.

President of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria Philip Zajac told The Australian it was “regrettable” that a terrorist attack had to be the catalyst for the state government to finally take action.

“In May, the JCCV launched our Action Not Words campaign calling for five specific steps to combat anti-Semitism in Victoria,” Mr Zajac said.

“It is regrettable that it took a terrorist attack on a Melbourne synagogue seven months later as a catalyst for action.”

Mr Zajac had previously written to the government and called for the introduction of urgent laws to restrict harmful protests.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/jacinta-allan-government-slammed-for-late-protest-reforms/news-story/f90fa5001aa0593df8b1d1a1f0fb88b3

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22168019 (150737ZDEC24) Notable: Laws on masks, places of worship being considered to stop protesters spreading hate - Police could be given more powers to stop protesters hiding their identities and to ban demonstrations outside places of worship, as the Victorian government aims to stamp out a “nasty streak” of antisemitism and hate in the state. The potential changes come just over a week after the terrorist firebombing of the ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea. Police Minister Anthony Carbines said on Sunday that the government was specifically considering measures to stop people wearing balaclavas to hide their identities while carrying out hateful behaviour. “Conflict in the Middle East is not a leave pass for antisemitism at home,” Carbines said. “People who wear balaclavas and cover their identity when they attend protests are doing so to cause trouble and are doing so to intimidate people, and we won’t stand for it. “There are many people who attend protests with very good intentions. But there is a nasty streak, a violent and mean streak in some of the protest activity that we’ve seen in our state, that needs to be held to account.” Any new measures would need to be considered by the Labor cabinet, before changes are made to the proposed anti-vilification laws when parliament returns in February. Victoria introduced new public order laws in 2017 to allow police to mark any area where it expects a public disorder as a designated area. On Sunday, Victoria Police announced the Melbourne CBD would be a “designated area” between 11am and 5pm. The designation allows officers to search people and vehicles for weapons, compel people to take off face coverings and order people to leave the CBD if they do not comply with police orders. Carbines said many traders in Melbourne’s CBD were “worn down” by the constant protest activity in the city, and they wanted the chance for a successful Christmas retail period. The Free Palestine Melbourne protest has marched from the State Library through the CBD every Sunday for 62 weeks.

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>>276868

Laws on masks, places of worship being considered to stop protesters spreading hate

Ashleigh McMillan - December 15, 2024

Police could be given more powers to stop protesters hiding their identities and to ban demonstrations outside places of worship, as the Victorian government aims to stamp out a “nasty streak” of antisemitism and hate in the state.

The potential changes come just over a week after the terrorist firebombing of the ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea.

Police Minister Anthony Carbines said on Sunday that the government was specifically considering measures to stop people wearing balaclavas to hide their identities while carrying out hateful behaviour.

“Conflict in the Middle East is not a leave pass for antisemitism at home,” Carbines said.

“People who wear balaclavas and cover their identity when they attend protests are doing so to cause trouble and are doing so to intimidate people, and we won’t stand for it.

“There are many people who attend protests with very good intentions. But there is a nasty streak, a violent and mean streak in some of the protest activity that we’ve seen in our state, that needs to be held to account.”

Any new measures would need to be considered by the Labor cabinet, before changes are made to the proposed anti-vilification laws when parliament returns in February.

Victoria introduced new public order laws in 2017 to allow police to mark any area where it expects a public disorder as a designated area.

On Sunday, Victoria Police announced the Melbourne CBD would be a “designated area” between 11am and 5pm. The designation allows officers to search people and vehicles for weapons, compel people to take off face coverings and order people to leave the CBD if they do not comply with police orders.

Carbines said many traders in Melbourne’s CBD were “worn down” by the constant protest activity in the city, and they wanted the chance for a successful Christmas retail period.

The Free Palestine Melbourne protest has marched from the State Library through the CBD every Sunday for 62 weeks.

Last weekend, one of the rally’s organisers, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni, said the protests would end only after the “liberation” of Palestine.

Mashni condemned the December 6 firebombing at the synagogue as antisemitic, and noted there was “no room for hate” in his movement.

Carbines said the government was in talks with the NSW government about its approach to curtailing antisemitic behaviour at protests.

After the synagogue firebombing, NSW Premier Chris Minns announced a review into strengthening protections for religious institutions, which could mean protests at places of worship are outlawed.

NSW has a permit system for protests, something which is not in place in Victoria.

Premier Jacinta Allan said in a statement that Victoria’s Jewish population deserved “action that makes a difference” in the face of rising antisemitism.

“We must leave no stone unturned to fight the evil of antisemitism in all its forms, and restore social cohesion in our multicultural state,” she said.

Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson said the government would not allow the “disgusting” antisemitic behaviour to continue.

“What we’ve seen in recent times has been absolutely shameful behaviour,” he said.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe. Everyone has the right to go to a place of worship and do so without being accosted, harassed or molested.”

Opposition Leader John Pesutto criticised the government for a lack of urgency around changing protest laws to reduce incidents of antisemitism.

“For the premier to punt those down the road so that we won’t get them until February next year at the earliest is just not acceptable,” Pesutto said.

The government has already pledged $100,000 to kickstart a donation drive to rebuild the Adass Israel synagogue. A further $1 million will be distributed as Jewish community security infrastructure grants.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/laws-on-masks-places-of-worship-being-considered-to-stop-protesters-spreading-hate-20241215-p5kyhi.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22168048 (150753ZDEC24) Notable: Chris Minns condemns ‘disgusting’ Islamophobic graffiti in Sydney’s west as police investigate - New South Wales police are investigating a potential hate crime after Islamophobic graffiti was painted on a busy underpass in Sydney’s west, with the premier labelling it “disgusting”. The graffiti was spotted on Hector Street in Chester Hill overnight. Police cordoned off the road and launched an investigation on Sunday morning. “F*ck Islam” was graffitied on each side of the underpass, with the word “Islam” highlighted in yellow. “Cancel Islam” was also painted on to an ad in the underpass. NSW police said if someone was arrested they would “likely” be charged with a hate crime. Chester Hill has one of the largest Muslim populations in the state, with nearly 40% of residents identifying as Muslim, according to census figures. The graffiti was near a busy shopping area that includes numerous halal restaurants and grocers. The NSW premier, Chris Minns, called the graffiti “disgusting”. “Vandalism like this that is aimed at particular religions is designed to incite hatred and is completely abhorrent,” he said. “This racism and Islamophobia is disgusting and corrosive to the very fabric of the successful multicultural state that we have built here in NSW.” The federal minister for home affairs, Tony Burke, labelled the graffiti an act of “hatred” and “bigotry”. “Like other forms of dehumanising abuse, Islamophobia has no place in Australia,” the minister said.

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>>276857

Chris Minns condemns ‘disgusting’ Islamophobic graffiti in Sydney’s west as police investigate

NSW premier says vandalism aimed at particular religions is designed to incite hatred and ‘completely abhorrent’

Mostafa Rachwani - 15 Dec 2024

New South Wales police are investigating a potential hate crime after Islamophobic graffiti was painted on a busy underpass in Sydney’s west, with the premier labelling it “disgusting”.

The graffiti was spotted on Hector Street in Chester Hill overnight. Police cordoned off the road and launched an investigation on Sunday morning.

“Fuck Islam” was graffitied on each side of the underpass, with the word “Islam” highlighted in yellow. “Cancel Islam” was also painted on to an ad in the underpass.

NSW police said if someone was arrested they would “likely” be charged with a hate crime. Chester Hill has one of the largest Muslim populations in the state, with nearly 40% of residents identifying as Muslim, according to census figures.

The graffiti was near a busy shopping area that includes numerous halal restaurants and grocers.

The NSW premier, Chris Minns, called the graffiti “disgusting”.

“Vandalism like this that is aimed at particular religions is designed to incite hatred and is completely abhorrent,” he said.

“This racism and Islamophobia is disgusting and corrosive to the very fabric of the successful multicultural state that we have built here in NSW.”

The federal minister for home affairs, Tony Burke, labelled the graffiti an act of “hatred” and “bigotry”.

“Like other forms of dehumanising abuse, Islamophobia has no place in Australia,” the minister said.

Jason Clare, a fellow federal minister and the local MP for Blaxland, called the vandalism a “gutless attack on our community”.

“This is disgusting,” Clare said. “People in my community are hurting because of the conflict in the Middle East. “There is no place in Australia for Islamophobia.”

A spokesperson for the Australian National Imams Council called for “immediate and decisive action” from federal and state governments to address what it described as a “surge” in Islamophobic incidents.

“This rise in hate crimes and discriminatory behaviour highlights a critical failure to address systemic Islamophobia effectively,” the council said on Sunday.

“Governments at all levels must recognise this escalating crisis and implement robust measures to combat it … to ensure the safety and well-being of all communities in Australia.”

The organisation called on governments to strengthen anti-racism policies and police to “prioritise hate crime investigations”.

The Islamophobia register – which has documented Islamophobic incidents across Australia since 2014 – has said it receives daily reports of intimidation, discrimination, verbal abuse, physical assaults and online hate targeting Muslims.

Last week, the register criticised Liberal senator Dave Sharma’s claim that Islamophobia was “fictitious”.

The register said there had been a 600% increase in reported incidents of Islamophobia over the past year and that “lived experiences … demonstrate that Islamophobia is not only real but also escalating to unprecedented levels, posing a serious threat to the safety of Muslims”.

The prime minister and the NSW premier last week condemned anti-Israel graffiti in Sydney’s east, which came days after an arson attack at the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne.

Minns on Wednesday described the graffiti in Woollahra as “shocking” antisemitism.

A special federal police taskforce is investigating antisemitism across Australia after the terrorist attack on the Adass synagogue.

In late November the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said there had been a 316% increase in the number of antisemitic incidents in the 12 months to October.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/dec/15/chris-minns-condemns-disgusting-islamophobic-graffiti-in-sydneys-west-as-police-investigate-ntwnfb

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-15/nsw-chris-minns-condemns-disgusting-islamophobic-graffiti-sefton/104727912

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22173722 (160825ZDEC24) Notable: Video: Teen seeks to avoid criminal record after alleged $55,000 vandalism attack on MP Josh Burns’ office - A teenager charged with causing $55,000 worth of damage during an attack on Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns’ Melbourne electorate office is seeking to avoid a criminal record by diversion. Matilda McDermott, 19, was charged over the vandalism attack in which windows were smashed, and slogans, including “Zionism is fascism”, were spray-painted on Mr Burns’ St Kilda electorate office in the early hours of June 19. Small fires were also lit in the telecommunications pit at the front of the Barkly St building during the incident. At the time, concerns were raised that the fires could have endangered the people who lived in the residential apartments above the office. In addition to the charges relating to the trespass and vandalism of Mr Burns’ office, Ms McDermott was charged with damaging the Honorary Consulate General of France on St Kilda Rd in a separate incident on 17 July. She is also facing a charge of failing to comply with an order to provide police with a phone password. On Monday, Ms McDermott wore an N95 face mask in the court room for the duration of her contest mention before Magistrate Kay Robertson in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Her lawyer, Amy Hale from James Dowsley & Associates, told the court Ms McDermott was seeking diversion, however the prosecution said it was not amenable to the request. The Magistrates’ Court website describes diversion as a way for low-level offenders to avoid a criminal record by undertaking conditions that benefit the victim, the community and themselves.

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Teen seeks to avoid criminal record after alleged $55,000 vandalism attack on MP Josh Burns’ office

LILY MCCAFFREY - 16 December 2024

A teenager charged with causing $55,000 worth of damage during an attack on Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns’ Melbourne electorate office is seeking to avoid a criminal record by diversion.

Matilda McDermott, 19, was charged over the vandalism attack in which windows were smashed, and slogans, including “Zionism is fascism”, were spray-painted on Mr Burns’ St Kilda electorate office in the early hours of June 19.

Small fires were also lit in the telecommunications pit at the front of the Barkly St building during the incident.

At the time, concerns were raised that the fires could have endangered the people who lived in the residential apartments above the office.

In addition to the charges relating to the trespass and vandalism of Mr Burns’ office, Ms McDermott was charged with damaging the Honorary Consulate General of France on St Kilda Rd in a separate incident on 17 July.

She is also facing a charge of failing to comply with an order to provide police with a phone password.

On Monday, Ms McDermott wore an N95 face mask in the court room for the duration of her contest mention before Magistrate Kay Robertson in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Her lawyer, Amy Hale from James Dowsley & Associates, told the court Ms McDermott was seeking diversion, however the prosecution said it was not amenable to the request.

“At the moment, we’re not agreeable to diversion,” the prosecutor said.

The Magistrates’ Court website describes diversion as a way for low-level offenders to avoid a criminal record by undertaking conditions that benefit the victim, the community and themselves.

Ms Hale told the court that the prosecution had indicated in prior discussions that it may be willing to drop some of the charges relating to criminal damage.

Ms Robertson adjourned the matter to 18 February for the parties to have further discussions.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also charged over the attacks on Mr Burns’ office and the Honorary Consulate General of France.

The boy, who had his matter heard in the Children’s Court, is on track to avoid a criminal conviction, subject to the successful completion of a diversion plan by February.

A Victoria Police statement obtained in relation to the boy’s Children’s Court proceedings said there were six other suspects in relation to the two attacks who had not been identified.

It also said the total cost of the damage to Mr Burns’ office was estimated at $101,417.50.

Following the court hearing for the boy in November, Mr Burns told The Australian he wanted to see peace in the Middle East but that attacks on offices only heightened hostilities.

“I hope from this we can learn the desperate need to talk to and understand one another instead,” Mr Burns said.

“This was a distressing experience for my staff and surrounding tenants. But we have since reopened and returned to the work that we all love – helping my local and diverse community of Macnamara.

“The decisions we make as young people don’t have to define our whole lives.

“While I hope this young person can see the impact of their actions, I also hope that they are able to learn and move forward,” he said of the boy.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/teenager-seeks-to-avoid-criminal-record-after-alleged-55000-vandalism-attack-on-mp-josh-burns-office/news-story/88de168e3b2d353c452492be31c05755

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/teen-charged-for-vandalising-jewish-mp-josh-burns-office-in-st-kilda-with-propalestine-slogan/news-story/40b43ecd6a15f43dab4514495a2d4771

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22179482 (170819ZDEC24) Notable: Video: Victoria Police to be given broader powers to remove masks in protest clampdown - The Victorian government has unveiled broad plans to crack down on protester rights and bolster social cohesion, citing a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the state. Premier Jacinta Allan said recent discussions with Victoria's Jewish community in the wake of the recent suspected terror attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue had informed the move. "I'll never forget the sight and smell of that blackened synagogue for the rest of my life," Ms Allan said. "I'll never forget the harrowing stories of those who had escaped from that act of terror. "There are too many who want to qualify anti-Semitism or make excuses for it, and I want to make it absolutely clear that I never will." A joint counter-terrorism team is investigating the December 6 torching of the Adass Israel Synagogue, which occurred in the early hours of the morning while congregants were praying inside. Under the planned changes announced on Tuesday, the government would introduce laws which it said would more strongly protect the right of people to attend places of worship. The changes could include the establishment of safe access areas around places of religious worship to outlaw protests. A separate set of measures were also announced by Ms Allan to deliver greater powers to police when responding to public protests. Under the changes, the government would introduce its own state ban on protester use of terror organisation flags, as well as face masks and balaclavas. While acknowledging not all protesters using masks were anti-Semitic, Ms Allan said face coverings had been used by bad actors at protests. Glue, ropes and locks would also be banned at protests, with the government highlighting protest groups who have used the tools to attach themselves to public spaces.

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Victoria Police to be given broader powers to remove masks in protest clampdown

abc.net.au - 17 December 2024

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The Victorian government has unveiled broad plans to crack down on protester rights and bolster social cohesion, citing a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the state.

Premier Jacinta Allan said recent discussions with Victoria's Jewish community in the wake of the recent suspected terror attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue had informed the move.

"I'll never forget the sight and smell of that blackened synagogue for the rest of my life," Ms Allan said.

"I'll never forget the harrowing stories of those who had escaped from that act of terror.

"There are too many who want to qualify anti-Semitism or make excuses for it, and I want to make it absolutely clear that I never will."

A joint counter-terrorism team is investigating the December 6 torching of the Adass Israel Synagogue, which occurred in the early hours of the morning while congregants were praying inside.

Under the planned changes announced on Tuesday, the government would introduce laws which it said would more strongly protect the right of people to attend places of worship.

The changes could include the establishment of safe access areas around places of religious worship to outlaw protests.

Ms Allan said the changes would safeguard Victoria's multiculturalism, which was "the solution" to social cohesion issues.

"A modern, multicultural Victoria is one that is built on a simple promise: whoever you are, whoever you pray to, you are safe and welcome in this state," she said.

The premier also announced additional measures to build social cohesion in the state, which she said had clearly deteriorated in recent months.

The government plans to introduce a "social cohesion pledge" for multicultural organisations, that must be observed in order to access government grants.

The proposed legislation will need to pass parliament, and would be formed in discussion with religion leaders and communities.

It comes as the NSW government vows to make similar law changes, following a rally outside Sydney’s Great Synagogue on December 4.

The government has also earmarked the formation of a new 'Local Escalation and Help' group including representatives of Jewish community groups to liaise directly with government.

Protesters face ban on masks, locks and glue

A separate set of measures were also announced by Ms Allan to deliver greater powers to police when responding to public protests.

Under the changes, the government would introduce its own state ban on protester use of terror organisation flags, as well as face masks and balaclavas.

While acknowledging not all protesters using masks were anti-Semitic, Ms Allan said face coverings had been used by bad actors at protests.

“We know they are being used to conceal identities, shield agitators from crowd control measures,” Ms Allan said.

“Face masks aren’t a free pass to break the law.”

Glue, ropes and locks would also be banned at protests, with the government highlighting protest groups who have used the tools to attach themselves to public spaces.

Ms Allan said while the right to protest was important, it would not trump the safety of Victorians.

"Peaceful protests can and must be protected in this state, protests that harm others cannot," Ms Allan said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22179558 (170849ZDEC24) Notable: Video: ‘Knee-jerk law-making’: Terror flags and masks to be banned at protests, sparking backlash - A new crackdown on protesters that includes the revival of a long-abandoned plan to ban people from wearing face masks at rallies has put the Allan government on a collision course with civil libertarian groups. Protesters will be charged if they display terrorist flags, wear masks or use equipment such as ropes and chains under a raft of proposed bans that Premier Jacinta Allan said would stamp out extremist influences in public demonstrations. The reforms announced on Tuesday add to the slate of anti-hate laws introduced to parliament last month. The government cited a rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia and Victoria - including the terrorist attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne’s south-east – as a catalyst for the additional bans. The crackdown will outlaw symbols and flags of listed terrorist organisations, including Hamas, Hezbollah and white nationalist groups. Ropes, chains, glue and any other equipment that could be used by protesters to attach themselves to public spaces will also be barred, as will protesting outside places of worship. It will also revive a ban put forward by the then-Andrews government in 2016 to outlaw face masks, which was ditched after heavy criticism from libertarian groups. The reforms were welcomed by Jewish groups, including the state’s peak Jewish body. However, pro-Palestinian groups, libertarians and the Greens were critical of the crackdown and what its impact will be on the right to peacefully protest. Liberty Victoria vice president and criminal barrister Sam Norton described the crackdown as “knee-jerk law-making”.

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‘Knee-jerk law-making’: Terror flags and masks to be banned at protests, sparking backlash

Carla Jaeger - December 17, 2024

A new crackdown on protesters that includes the revival of a long-abandoned plan to ban people from wearing face masks at rallies has put the Allan government on a collision course with civil libertarian groups.

Protesters will be charged if they display terrorist flags, wear masks or use equipment such as ropes and chains under a raft of proposed bans that Premier Jacinta Allan said would stamp out extremist influences in public demonstrations.

The reforms announced on Tuesday add to the slate of anti-hate laws introduced to parliament last month. The government cited a rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia and Victoria – including the terrorist attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne’s south-east – as a catalyst for the additional bans.

The crackdown will outlaw symbols and flags of listed terrorist organisations, including Hamas, Hezbollah and white nationalist groups. Ropes, chains, glue and any other equipment that could be used by protesters to attach themselves to public spaces will also be barred, as will protesting outside places of worship.

It will also revive a ban put forward by the then-Andrews government in 2016 to outlaw face masks, which was ditched after heavy criticism from libertarian groups.

The reforms were welcomed by Jewish groups, including the state’s peak Jewish body. However, pro-Palestinian groups, libertarians and the Greens were critical of the crackdown and what its impact will be on the right to peacefully protest.

Liberty Victoria vice president and criminal barrister Sam Norton described the crackdown as “knee-jerk law-making”.

“There’s about 700 things wrong with this proposal,” Norton said. “Firstly, it’s being done without one scrap of consultation.

“Secondly, there is absolutely no link whatsoever between the recent firebombing and any form of protest. The firebombing is a crime, a serious crime, unconnected to concepts of demonstration or protests.”

Allan said the proposed bans would give police the powers to “stamp out the influence of extreme and radical participation”.

“It would be wrong for me to say that anyone who’s attending these protests is antisemitic. There’s no one saying that – but we know some are … We also know that hate and antisemitism are thriving in these environments.”

In addition to the protest bans, a new initiative will require multicultural groups seeking government funding to commit to a social cohesion pledge, with penalties for groups that break the pledge.

The outlawing of protesting outside places of worship prompted questions about whether it would suppress those seeking to call out abuses of power in religious institutions, such as the protests over the Catholic Church’s cover-up of systemic child sex abuse.

In response, Allan said: “We’re very mindful and very well understand that there will need to be in our consultation processes some exceptions.”

There will also be exemptions for face masks, including for health and religious reasons. Much of the detail will be determined over the summer, when the government says it will consult a range of organisations.

Norton said the bans would not unite Victorians amid increasing tensions. “What’s not going to lead to a decrease in tension is criminalising behaviour that is not criminal. What will assist is a mature narrative and discussion.”

Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) chief executive Naomi Levin said she was cautiously optimistic about the reforms.

She said it was “regrettable” that it took the synagogue firebombing for the government to implement the social cohesion pledge, which the JCCV had been pushing for for more than a year, but said the council will always work with the government to protect Jews.

When asked about concerns that the new laws could impose on Victorians’ right to peacefully protest, Levin said the council supported free speech.

“Discussion and debate is a key tenet of Judaism … but what we’ve seen in Victoria is discussion and debate turned into threats and violence – that’s no longer free speech, that’s extremism.”

The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network said Tuesday’s announcement was “a dangerous attack on civil liberties, aimed at suppressing legitimate public political action by Palestinians and their supporters demanding an end to Israel’s 15-month-long genocide in Gaza”.

Allan said on Tuesday no arrests had been made in relation to the Adass firebombing.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/protesters-to-be-charged-for-displaying-terrorist-symbols-20241217-p5kyzg.html

https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/victoria-bans-flags-of-known-terrorist-groups-face-masks-at-public-protests/cm4s14dri00020hmiay8tokpf

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22184913 (180834ZDEC24) Notable: Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar rips into Penny Wong in ‘heated’ call - Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has blasted Penny Wong in a heated phone call, accusing Australia of weakening its support for the Jewish state in its darkest hour, Israel media reports. Foreign Minister Wong spoke to Mr Sa’ar on Tuesday, with the conversation reportedly turning into a “sharp verbal clash”. “The Australian minister, who is among the most anti-Israeli in her party, accused Israel of not doing enough humanitarian work for the Arabs of Gaza,” the Israel Hayom newspaper said. The Hebrew language national daily said Mr Sa’ar expressed disappointment that Australia had downgraded its support for Israel in international forums “in its most difficult year, when it has fought against its bitterest enemies”. He reportedly condemned Senator Wong for her move last week to compare democratic Israel with the dictatorships of China and Russia. “Israel is a Western democracy that maintains the rule of law, has an independent judiciary and adheres to international law. In the past year, Israel has fought the radical axis led by Iran, which is supported by Russia and China,” Mr Sa’ar reportedly said. He also demanded “decisive action” by the Albanese government over the torching of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue, and protested Labors’ recent denial of a visa for former Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked on character grounds. “How would you react if we acted like this towards a former minister from Australia?” Mr Sa’ar reportedly said to Senator Wong.

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>>276853

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar rips into Penny Wong in ‘heated’ call

BEN PACKHAM - 18 December 2024

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has blasted Penny Wong in a heated phone call, accusing Australia of weakening its support for the Jewish state in its darkest hour, Israel media reports.

Foreign Minister Wong spoke to Mr Sa’ar on Tuesday, with the conversation reportedly turning into a “sharp verbal clash”.

“The Australian minister, who is among the most anti-Israeli in her party, accused Israel of not doing enough humanitarian work for the Arabs of Gaza,” the Israel Hayom newspaper said.

The Hebrew language national daily said Mr Sa’ar expressed disappointment that Australia had downgraded its support for Israel in international forums “in its most difficult year, when it has fought against its bitterest enemies”.

He reportedly condemned Senator Wong for her move last week to compare democratic Israel with the dictatorships of China and Russia.

“Israel is a Western democracy that maintains the rule of law, has an independent judiciary and adheres to international law. In the past year, Israel has fought the radical axis led by Iran, which is supported by Russia and China,” Mr Sa’ar reportedly said.

He also demanded “decisive action” by the Albanese government over the torching of Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue, and protested Labors’ recent denial of a visa for former Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked on character grounds.

“How would you react if we acted like this towards a former minister from Australia?” Mr Sa’ar reportedly said to Senator Wong.

The confrontation came just over a week after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Albanese government of taking an “extreme anti-Israeli position”, which had fuelled anti-Semitism in Australia.

Labor’s relationship with Israel and the Australian Jewish community have become strained to breaking point amid support by the Albanese government for a raft of pro-Palestine resolutions in the UN, and its foreshadowing of formal Australian recognition of a Palestinian state.

Israel is also furious at Australia’s refusal to repudiate an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu.

Senator Wong in particular has stoked Israeli outrage over her call on October 8 last year for the country to show “restraint” in its response to Hamas’ terrorist attack, and her refusal to visit massacre sites during a trip to Israel in January.

But sources said the breakdown in relations was not in the same league as that between Israel and Ireland, which prompted the Jewish state this week to announce the closure of its embassy in Dublin.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/israeli-foreign-minister-gideon-saar-rips-into-penny-wong-in-heated-call/news-story/2c4c22a38dd9377d747d65788a629660

https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/geopolitics/article/16985183

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22184956 (180848ZDEC24) Notable: No apologies: Wong gives her side of the story of the call with Israel - Israel’s foreign minister has accused Penny Wong of abandoning Israel in its most difficult year during a phone conversation overnight that turned sour, deepening the diplomatic rift between the two nations, Israeli media has reported. Hebrew news outlet Israel Hayom on Wednesday reported that Foreign Minister Wong and her counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, were drawn into a “sharp verbal clash” on Tuesday over Australia’s diminishing support for Israel amid its war in Gaza. But a spokesperson for Wong said it was a “direct but respectful call” in which the ministers explained their respective views, with Australia focusing on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and its position supporting a two-state solution to achieve peace for Israelis and Palestinians. It ended with cordial messages and an agreement to stay in touch. “Minister Wong spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to reiterate Australia’s concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the need for humanitarian assistance and our repeated calls for the release of all hostages,” a spokesperson for the foreign minister said. “Minister Wong also noted that Australia’s position reflected that of many other countries. She conveyed Australia’s commitment to countering antisemitism and hate in all forms.”

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>>276874

No apologies: Wong gives her side of the story of the call with Israel

Natassia Chrysanthos - December 18, 2024

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Israel’s foreign minister has accused Penny Wong of abandoning Israel in its most difficult year during a phone conversation overnight that turned sour, deepening the diplomatic rift between the two nations, Israeli media has reported.

Hebrew news outlet Israel Hayom on Wednesday reported that Foreign Minister Wong and her counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, were drawn into a “sharp verbal clash” on Tuesday over Australia’s diminishing support for Israel amid its war in Gaza.

But a spokesperson for Wong said it was a “direct but respectful call” in which the ministers explained their respective views, with Australia focusing on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and its position supporting a two-state solution to achieve peace for Israelis and Palestinians. It ended with cordial messages and an agreement to stay in touch.

“Minister Wong spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to reiterate Australia’s concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the need for humanitarian assistance and our repeated calls for the release of all hostages,” a spokesperson for the foreign minister said.

“Minister Wong also noted that Australia’s position reflected that of many other countries. She conveyed Australia’s commitment to countering antisemitism and hate in all forms.”

Asked about the call while in Europe on Wednesday, Wong said she hoped for a ceasefire that enabled the release of hostages as well as the flow of aid to Gaza, “because we know that the humanitarian catastrophe is so great”.

“Australia, alongside the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries, have been calling for a ceasefire, for the release of hostages, and for the provision of aid into Gaza. That is the position we have been articulating. And that’s the position that I reflected to the Israeli foreign minister,” Wong said.

According to the Israel Hayom report, Sa’ar told Wong that he was disappointed Australia had distanced itself from Israel and withdrawn its support in international forums while the Middle East nation fought its most bitter enemies.

He also took issue with a speech Wong delivered last week, in which she said Australia expected Israel to comply with international law like authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China.

“Israel is a Western democratic state that upholds the rule of law, has an independent judiciary, and adheres to international law. In the past year, Israel has fought the radical axis led by Iran, which is supported by Russia and China,” Sa’ar said, according to the news report.

Wong has said she was not drawing a moral equivalence between Israel, Russia and China, but arguing that Australia has an interest in ensuring that all nations comply with international law, after her comments infuriated Australia’s Jewish community.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22184982 (180854ZDEC24) Notable: Australia to provide aid to Gaza after ceasefire, says Penny Wong - Australia is ready to step up and provide financial and other assistance to Gaza amid calls for greatly increased humanitarian aid to flow into the region once a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is finalised. In recent hours there has been a breakthrough in the talks with both sides edging closer to a deal that would see an end to the conflict that has been ongoing since Hamas’ brutal massacre and hostage-taking of hundreds of Israelis on October 7 last year. The United States said on Tuesday (local time) it felt “cautious optimism” on the prospects of reaching a ceasefire in the 14-month war, although it acknowledged that similar hopes had been dashed before. Hamas said the talks mediated by Qatar were “serious and positive,” a day after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the two sides as closer to a deal than ever before. “It is very welcome news that there is progress,’’ Ms Wong said on the sidelines of a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte in Brussels on Tuesday. “We are deeply concerned, as are many countries, about the catastrophic humanitarian situation and so of course, we are willing to step up to provide assistance. A ceasefire would also enable the return of the hostages who are still being held by Hamas a year after the horrific attacks’’. Around 96 Israeli hostages are still being held by Hamas inside Gaza, although only 62 or so are believed to be still alive.

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>>276827

>>276862

>>276865

Australia to provide aid to Gaza after ceasefire, says Penny Wong

JACQUELIN MAGNAY - 18 December 2024

Australia is ready to step up and provide financial and other assistance to Gaza amid calls for greatly increased humanitarian aid to flow into the region once a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is finalised.

In recent hours there has been a breakthrough in the talks with both sides edging closer to a deal that would see an end to the conflict that has been ongoing since Hamas’ brutal massacre and hostage-taking of hundreds of Israelis on October 7 last year.

The United States said on Tuesday (local time) it felt “cautious optimism” on the prospects of reaching a ceasefire in the 14-month war, although it acknowledged that similar hopes had been dashed before.

Hamas said the talks mediated by Qatar were “serious and positive,” a day after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the two sides as closer to a deal than ever before.

“It is very welcome news that there is progress,’’ Ms Wong said on the sidelines of a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte in Brussels on Tuesday.

“We are deeply concerned, as are many countries, about the catastrophic humanitarian situation and so of course, we are willing to step up to provide assistance. A ceasefire would also enable the return of the hostages who are still being held by Hamas a year after the horrific attacks’’.

Around 96 Israeli hostages are still being held by Hamas inside Gaza, although only 62 or so are believed to be still alive.

The proposed deal, brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, allows for the release of half of the hostages in the initial two month stage of a ceasefire, while Israel would released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those serving long prison sentences for serious crimes.

Hanas has also, for the first time, agreed to a temporary Israeli Defence Force presence in Gaza after the ceasefire.

But a significant component of the ceasefire is for “hugely increased” aid to Gaza to address an overwhelming humanitarian and hunger crisis for the enclave’s 2.3m people, many of whom have been displaced during the conflict.

It is understood Australia would be in a position to help with some of the influx of supplies and money, possibly to be funnelled through recognised aid organisations.

As well, the Gaza border with Egypt at the Rafah crossing may be reopened, under the control of the Palestinian Authority and with EU observers, so Palestinians will be able to leave.

While Israeli soldiers would still have a presence in northern Gaza and along the Philadelphi corridor, the belt of land running along the Gaza-Egypt border, troops would withdraw from Gaza’s main towns and the coastal road.

A senior Palestinian official involved in the negations told the BBC that the talks have entered a “decisive and final phase”.

On Tuesday Ms Wong met with European parliament Vice President Kaja Kallas in Strasbourg before flying to Brussels for the closed door NATO discussions with Mr Rutte.

Ms Kallas said with the tensions in the world being very much interconnected, what happens in Europe also has an impact elsewhere.

Ms Kallas said: “If we are not strong enough all the dictators or aggressors or would be aggressors in the world are carefully taking notes that this pays off. We don’t want to end up in a wold where might makes right again.

She added: “We have to cooperate so that we can avoid bigger tensions and global conflicts’’.

Ms Wong said the meetings were taking place “at a fairly difficult time, that’s an understatement’’, ticking off Russia’s war in Ukraine and other conflicts in many other parts of the world.

Afterwards Ms Wong said in response to news about China’s military exercises off Vietnam that ‘’we always urge peace and stability in our region and that Australia consistently articulates our belief that the UN Convention and the law of the sea is what countries should abide by. She also noted that the United Kingdom had committed A$100m for the new regime in Syria after Bashar Assad had fled to Russia.

“The UK has a long and deep historic set of relationships and responsibilities in the Middle East. And that’s why we are very pleased to work with them to gain their insights about what the progress is,’’ she said.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/australia-to-provide-aid-to-gaza-after-ceasefire-says-penny-wong/news-story/ed81a411136de96fccc36a8f95c9bb72

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22185022 (180903ZDEC24) Notable: Sydney home raided as AFP circles in on Hezbollah flag-bearers - Federal police have raided a southwest Sydney home as investigators closed in on dozens of ­people suspected of waving Hezbollah flags during rallies earlier this year in NSW and Victoria. It comes after a Melbourne man was charged last week for allegedly displaying the terror group’s flag, and as the Victorian government prepares to roll out stronger state provisions totally outlawing terrorist symbols. The Australian Federal Police on Tuesday executed a search warrant at a southwest Sydney home understood to belong to a woman who allegedly waved a Hezbollah flag at the September 24 rally outside Sydney’s Town Hall. The Australian understands police could soon make an arrest. The rally was followed by a larger demonstration a few days later, where one woman has already been charged for the same alleged offence. An AFP spokesman would not elaborate on the raid by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team but said there was “no threat” to public safety and “further details” would be provided at an “appropriate time”. The mere display of a terrorist symbol in itself is not a breach of commonwealth criminal provisions, and before laying any charges investigators must show that the display meets specific elements of the code. These include - but are not limited to – that the display of the terror symbol was to spread or advocate racial hatred, incite others to offend or intimidate, or to intimidate a person or group based on their race or nationality.

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>>276799

>>276814

>>276866

Sydney home raided as AFP circles in on Hezbollah flag-bearers

ALEXI DEMETRIADI - 18 December 2024

Federal police have raided a southwest Sydney home as investigators closed in on dozens of ­people suspected of waving Hezbollah flags during rallies earlier this year in NSW and Victoria.

It comes after a Melbourne man was charged last week for allegedly displaying the terror group’s flag, and as the Victorian government prepares to roll out stronger state provisions totally outlawing terrorist symbols.

The Australian Federal Police on Tuesday executed a search warrant at a southwest Sydney home understood to belong to a woman who allegedly waved a Hezbollah flag at the September 24 rally outside Sydney’s Town Hall. The Australian understands police could soon make an arrest.

The rally was followed by a larger demonstration a few days later, where one woman has already been charged for the same alleged offence.

An AFP spokesman would not elaborate on the raid by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team but said there was “no threat” to public safety and “further details” would be provided at an “appropriate time”.

In Victoria, the AFP-led Operation Ardvarna is investigating 13 people in relation to displaying Hezbollah flags pertaining to the September rallies, sparked after the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.

Investigators have executed multiple search warrants, questioned at least three people, and seized Hezbollah-branded clothing, flags and mobile phones.

The mere display of a terrorist symbol in itself is not a breach of commonwealth criminal provisions, and before laying any charges investigators must show that the display meets specific elements of the code.

These include – but are not limited to – that the display of the terror symbol was to spread or advocate racial hatred, incite others to offend or intimidate, or to intimidate a person or group based on their race or nationality.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Tuesday announced a suite of reforms to clamp down on protests targeting places of worship or that vilify a specific community and announced the state’s criminal code would adopt laws banning terror symbols.

The provision would go further than what is enclosed in the commonwealth code, with Ms Allan announcing the state would ban “full stop” the use of the symbol without the requirement to prove any further elements

It would also give state police “stronger powers” to stop, search and seize. It is unlikely the new provisions will be retrospective, and therefore will not capture the waving of Hezbollah flags in ­September.

The AFP expect further charges to be laid in NSW under Operation Ardvarna.

Officers charged a Melbourne man for allegedly brandishing a Hezbollah flag during what turned into a pro-Nasrallah Melbourne rally on September 29. He was charged with displaying a terrorist group’s symbol in a public place, which – if found guilty – carries a maximum penalty of a 12-month custodial sentence.

Sydney woman Sarah Mouhanna, 19, was charged in October with the same offence but has pleaded not guilty.

AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Nick Read said Operation Advarna had clocked more than 1100 hours of work, including reviewing more than 100 hours of video footage. “The AFP has been relentlessly pursuing evidence and gathering intelligence to ensure those accused of displaying prohibited symbols can face justice,’’ he said on Saturday.

In NSW, state police have recently increased resources to its Operation Shelter, which covers protest activity and community safety. It comes after a spate of anti-Semitic vandalism in Sydney’s east. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley welcomed efforts to arrest those allegedly showing support to terror groups.

“There is no place for support for a terrorist organisation ... We do not want to see division and conflict from around the world played out on our streets,” she said, adding NSW police were “working tirelessly” to ensure community safety. “Additional police have been tasked with high-visibility patrols and community engagement.”

Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson, backed the AFP to track down alleged Hezbollah flag bearers, but lamented how the government had been too slow to “realise how serious anti-Semitism” had become.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sydney-home-raided-as-afp-circles-in-on-hezbollah-flagbearers/news-story/5e95b6aae405ae3b26a6cfd548ff885f

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22191420 (190828ZDEC24) Notable: Video: Islamic cleric Wissam Haddad fronts court as Jewish community’s milestone case begins - Lawyers representing Australia’s peak Jewish body have said their case against Sydney cleric Wissam Haddad would seek to ensure the “safety and dignity” of the community as a potentially groundbreaking legal case kicked off. It comes as Mr Haddad, also known as Abu Ousayd, recently took to social media to dismiss allegations he had ties to the al-­Muhajiroun terrorist network, and its high-profile leaders Omar Bakri and Anjem Choudary, despite recent correspondence with them. On Wednesday, Mr Haddad fronted Sydney’s Federal Court with his solicitor, Elias Tabchouri, who said his client would be “defending the matter” but they “remained committed to concil­iation” with the applicants, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s deputy president, Robert Goot, and co-chief executive, Peter Wertheim. They allege a slew of sermons given by Mr Haddad or hosted by the centre, which were posted online, racially vilified their community under Section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act. Among other things, Mr Haddad, or speakers at his Al Madina Dawah Centre, have allegedly called Jewish people “descendants of pigs and monkeys”, recited parables about their killing, described them as “treacherous ­people” with their “hands” in media and business, encouraged jihad, and urged people to “spit” on Israel so Israelis “would drown”. In most cases, he has claimed he was referring to or reciting ­Islamic scripture.

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>>276810

>>276833

Islamic cleric Wissam Haddad fronts court as Jewish community’s milestone case begins

ALEXI DEMETRIADI - December 18, 2024

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Lawyers representing Australia’s peak Jewish body have said their case against Sydney cleric Wissam Haddad would seek to ensure the “safety and dignity” of the community as a potentially groundbreaking legal case kicked off.

It comes as Mr Haddad, also known as Abu Ousayd, recently took to social media to dismiss allegations he had ties to the al-­Muhajiroun terrorist network, and its high-profile leaders Omar Bakri and Anjem Choudary, despite recent correspondence with them.

On Wednesday, Mr Haddad fronted Sydney’s Federal Court with his solicitor, Elias Tabchouri, who said his client would be “defending the matter” but they “remained committed to concil­iation” with the applicants, two of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s leaders.

Judge Angus Stewart – who recently ruled that One Nation leader Pauline Hanson racially vilified senator Mehreen Faruqi – said “upon quick reading” the imputations alleged by the lawsuit were “damning” and provisionally listing a four-day hearing from June 10.

The Australian has covered since 2023 Mr Haddad’s sermons at his Al Madina Dawah centre in Sydney’s southwest and how the ECAJ had filed vilification complaints at the country’s human rights body.

When mediation at the Australian Human Rights Commission failed, the ECAJ’s deputy president, Robert Goot, and co-chief executive, Peter Wertheim, filed court proceedings against Mr Haddad and the centre.

They allege a slew of sermons given by Mr Haddad or hosted by the centre, which were posted online, racially vilified their community under Section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act.

Among other things, Mr Haddad, or speakers at his Al Madina Dawah Centre, have allegedly called Jewish people “descendants of pigs and monkeys”, recited parables about their killing, described them as “treacherous ­people” with their “hands” in media and business, encouraged jihad, and urged people to “spit” on Israel so Israelis “would drown”.

In most cases, he has claimed he was referring to or reciting ­Islamic scripture.

Peter Braham, representing the applicants, told the court that “time was important”, given Mr Haddad’s alleged conduct was in 2023. “We want this matter heard as soon as it can be,” he said, adding that “practical relief” was being sought in removing the sermons from the internet.

“One of the problems with (Mr Haddad’s) conduct is that he was making insulting comments about Jews as a race and people … (which) challenged the community’s sense of belonging and safety.

“And in light of current events (the Middle East conflict, anti-Semitism), relief is not being sought for a purely theoretical purpose but to perform the function of the Racial Discrimination Act … and by declaring (Mr Haddad’s) conduct as unlawful.”

Although Mr Haddad’s defence won’t be filed until February – his barrister, Andrew Boe, alluded to possibly calling Islam experts – Mr Braham said they intended to “robustly” challenge that the cleric’s words “flowed” from scripture. “We would challenge that (Mr Haddad’s words) were of conventional religious belief or coming out of established religious texts,” he said.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22208798 (220818ZDEC24) Notable: Video: Police vow to find men who held antisemitic sign on steps of Victorian parliament - Victoria Police say they have identified one of the men allegedly involved in a neo-Nazi demonstration on the steps of parliament on Friday night during which an antisemitic sign was displayed, prompting cries of outrage and disgust from members of the public who witnessed it. Victoria Police’s North West Metro Region Acting Superintendent Kelly Walker said identifying every one of the 20 men who stood on the steps of parliament dressed in black clothing, with their faces hidden, was the police’s top priority. She said the men involved in the protest on Friday night may be charged with a range of crimes including grossly offensive conduct. “We will be looking through extensive CBD network of footage that exists,” she said during a press conference on Saturday afternoon. Walker said police were doing everything they could to find the man they had already identified, and implored witnesses who saw the protest to contact police to assist with the investigation. Walker said police were also seeking advice regarding the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act to determine the full extent of potential charges that could apply. The act prohibits vilification and behaviour inciting or encouraging hatred, serious contempt, and revulsion or severe ridicule because of a person’s race or religion. “The sign was intended to cause unrest to the community,” Walker said of Friday’s demonstration.

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>>276833

>>276872

Police vow to find men who held antisemitic sign on steps of Victorian parliament

Melissa Cunningham - December 21, 2024

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Victoria Police say they have identified one of the men allegedly involved in a neo-Nazi demonstration on the steps of parliament on Friday night during which an antisemitic sign was displayed, prompting cries of outrage and disgust from members of the public who witnessed it.

Victoria Police’s North West Metro Region Acting Superintendent Kelly Walker said identifying every one of the 20 men who stood on the steps of parliament dressed in black clothing, with their faces hidden, was the police’s top priority.

She said the men involved in the protest on Friday night may be charged with a range of crimes including grossly offensive conduct.

“We will be looking through extensive CBD network of footage that exists,” she said during a press conference on Saturday afternoon.

Walker said police were doing everything they could to find the man they had already identified, and implored witnesses who saw the protest to contact police to assist with the investigation.

“The behaviour was disgusting and the members of the public were outraged ... so they were taking action,” she said.

“The members of the public were not happy ... they were outraged by what they could see … they were yelling at the men.

“We would ask those people if they could come forward and assist us with these investigations. If they could contact Crime Stoppers, we would like to hear from them.”

Victorians who engage in grossly offensive conduct in public can face up to five years in jail if found guilty of the charge.

The legislation was created after gap was identified in penalising gross conduct by Richard Pusey’s offensive behaviour after the Eastern Freeway crash in 2020 that left four police officers dead.

Walker said police were also seeking advice regarding the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act to determine the full extent of potential charges that could apply.

The act prohibits vilification and behaviour inciting or encouraging hatred, serious contempt, and revulsion or severe ridicule because of a person’s race or religion.

“The sign was intended to cause unrest to the community,” Walker said of Friday’s demonstration.

On Friday night, police said officers had been called to the scene at 6.55pm.

Walker said two police officers stationed at Parliament House on Spring Street had called for back-up and made attempts to apprehend the men, who ran towards Fitzroy Gardens.

“Police did call for back-up, and then as soon as they arrived the men ran away,” she said. “We had a large number of men that appeared to be taking a photo opportunity as soon as police arrived.”

Walker said officers then conducted “extensive” patrols of Parliament House and Fitzroy Gardens and surrounding areas, but made no arrests.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/22208817 (220824ZDEC24) Notable: Police investigating alleged Islamophobic and anti-Semitic incidents in Melbourne - A truck displaying Palestinian flags was set alight outside a Melbourne home in an incident the Islamic Council of Victoria fears was "an Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian hate crime". Police have confirmed they're investigating the incident, which allegedly involved a Molotov cocktail thrown in Newport, in the city's inner-west, in the early hours of Monday. A witness to Monday's incident has told the ABC he saw a man in the street yelling Islamophobic abuse shortly before he noticed the fire. The blaze was quickly extinguished by the owner of the truck, Ehab Elhila, before it caused major damage. No-one was injured and police and firefighters attended. Mr Elhila said the incident woke up his children and has left his family anxious and scared. "I've got a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old and it was shocking for them to see," he said. Mr Elhila, an Australian citizen who has lived here for 40 years, said he had never seen anything like this in his local area. The 58 year old was born in Rafah, in Gaza, and said he had lost "hundreds" of family members in the current war with Israel. Mr Elhila said he was vocal in his support of the Palestinian cause and felt supported by his local community. "I live in a very quiet street, [where] everyone knows everyone, we love each other, and the whole street's supportive," he said.

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>>276833

>>276870

>>276879

Police investigating alleged Islamophobic and anti-Semitic incidents in Melbourne

Kate Ashton - 21 December 2024

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A truck displaying Palestinian flags was set alight outside a Melbourne home in an incident the Islamic Council of Victoria fears was "an Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian hate crime".

WARNING: This story contain language that some readers may find distressing.

Police have confirmed they're investigating the incident, which allegedly involved a Molotov cocktail thrown in Newport, in the city's inner-west, in the early hours of Monday.

It comes as police also investigate an incident in Melbourne's CBD on Friday where an anti-Semitic sign was displayed at a rally at Parliament House.

A witness to Monday's incident has told the ABC he saw a man in the street yelling Islamophobic abuse shortly before he noticed the fire.

The blaze was quickly extinguished by the owner of the truck, Ehab Elhila, before it caused major damage.

No-one was injured and police and firefighters attended.

Mr Elhila said the incident woke up his children and has left his family anxious and scared.

"I've got a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old and it was shocking for them to see," he said.

Mr Elhila, an Australian citizen who has lived here for 40 years, said he had never seen anything like this in his local area.

The 58 year old was born in Rafah, in Gaza, and said he had lost "hundreds" of family members in the current war with Israel.

Mr Elhila said he was vocal in his support of the Palestinian cause and felt supported by his local community.

"I live in a very quiet street, [where] everyone knows everyone, we love each other, and the whole street's supportive," he said.

Islamic leaders 'profoundly concerned' about alleged incident

On Friday, the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) issued a public statement saying it was "profoundly concerned" about the incident outside Mr Elhila's home.

ICV spokesperson Adel Salman said the council was "quite surprised" that police did not put out a public media release about the incident.

"We would have expected there would have been an announcement expressing concern, expressing condemnation … but it's been radio silence," he said.

Victoria Police did not respond to a question about Mr Salman's concerns.

In an earlier statement to the ABC, a police spokesperson said it takes "all reports of prejudice motivated crime extremely seriously," had tasked extra police patrols to the area and had "experienced detectives" working on the case.

"This investigation remains in its early stages, so we are not ruling anything in or out," the spokesperson said.

Police also indicated they were investigating whether a second incident, where the tray of a ute was set alight in a neighbouring street, might be linked.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21755730 (130530ZOCT24) Notable: An AUKUS First, Seven Royal Australian Navy Enlisted Sailors Graduate Nuclear Power School - Demonstrating another significant milestone for the Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) trilateral security partnership, 12 Royal Australian Navy uniformed personnel, including the first seven enlisted sailors, graduated from the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power School at Joint Base Charleston-Naval Weapons Station, Oct. 11. The enlisted Royal Australian Navy sailors, who trained alongside U.S. sailors, began the naval nuclear power training pipeline in October 2023. Since then, they have been learning their specific rates, as well as the fundamentals of design, operation and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plans. These sailors are the vanguard of Australia establishing a sovereign conventionally armed, nuclear-powered, submarine (SSN) fleet in the early 2030s. “Naval Nuclear Power training is exceptionally rigorous and to have seven Australian sailors and five officers complete the program and move on to the Nuclear Power Training Unit takes us one step closer to operating our own SSNs,” said Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond. “Two days after assuming command of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, I presided over the graduation of the first three Royal Australian Navy officers from Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston,” shared Adm. Bill Houston, Director, Naval Reactors. “I have been nothing but impressed by the quality of Australian sailors and officers in our training pipeline and serving aboard our nuclear-powered submarine.” Following graduation, the Royal Australian Navy sailors will report to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston for training focused on shipboard nuclear power plant operation and maintenance of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear fleet.

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>>240853 (pb)

An AUKUS First, Seven Royal Australian Navy Enlisted Sailors Graduate Nuclear Power School

dvidshub.net - 10.11.2024

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Goose Creek, South Carolina – Demonstrating another significant milestone for the Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) trilateral security partnership, 12 Royal Australian Navy uniformed personnel, including the first seven enlisted sailors, graduated from the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power School at Joint Base Charleston-Naval Weapons Station, Oct. 11.

The enlisted Royal Australian Navy sailors, who trained alongside U.S. sailors, began the naval nuclear power training pipeline in October 2023. Since then, they have been learning their specific rates, as well as the fundamentals of design, operation and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plans. These sailors are the vanguard of Australia establishing a sovereign conventionally armed, nuclear-powered, submarine (SSN) fleet in the early 2030s.

“Naval Nuclear Power training is exceptionally rigorous and to have seven Australian sailors and five officers complete the program and move on to the Nuclear Power Training Unit takes us one step closer to operating our own SSNs,” said Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond.

“Two days after assuming command of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, I presided over the graduation of the first three Royal Australian Navy officers from Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston,” shared Adm. Bill Houston, Director, Naval Reactors. “I have been nothing but impressed by the quality of Australian sailors and officers in our training pipeline and serving aboard our nuclear-powered submarine.”

Following graduation, the Royal Australian Navy sailors will report to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston for training focused on shipboard nuclear power plant operation and maintenance of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear fleet.

Making Australia Sovereign-Ready

Training and education opportunities are critical to ensure Australia is ready to operate its sovereign Virginia-class SSNs early next decade.

“The Australian sailors are receiving the same training as their American counterparts,” shared Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea. “They are held to the same high standards required to operate nuclear-powered attack submarines so that when they report to their boat, they’re ready to put their training to the test, integrate with the crew, and become Australia’s future front-line warriors aboard their own sovereign SSNs.”

Currently, there are six Royal Australian Navy officers serving aboard or assigned to U.S. Navy Virginia-class submarines, 12 officers and 28 enlisted sailors within the naval nuclear power training pipeline with an additional 19 enlisted sailors completing Basic Enlisted Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut. Additionally, 39 personnel from ASC Pty Ltd. (formerly known as the Australian Submarine Corporation) are training at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to prepare them for future roles in maintaining nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21768193 (150834ZOCT24) Notable: Kevin Rudd calls for vigilance to deter Xi’s threat to global order - Kevin Rudd says the world must ride out the threat posed by Xi Jinping through a combination of deterrence and diplomacy, avoiding a conflict that could redefine global politics, up-end the US-China relationship and generate “death and destruction at an unimaginable scale.” Australia’s top diplomat in Washington is also championing realism towards China’s stabilisation of ties with the US and its allies, arguing this represents merely a “shift in tactical diplomacy” as Beijing continues to press its challenge to the existing international order. While it is unusual for an Australian ambassador to so publicly examine a leading international figure such as Xi Jinping, Dr Rudd has a unique vantage point as a former prime minister, foreign minister, diplomat and world expert on Chinese affairs. In his new book, “On Xi Jinping” Dr Rudd argues that Mr Xi has changed China through the power of his own ideology and individual political leadership, offering an “alternative authoritarian development model for the world.” Mr Xi’s objective is to “change the international order itself, underpinned by an increasingly powerful China as the emerging geopolitical and geo-economic fulcrum of that order.” Dr Rudd also says that Beijing remains “locked in a death struggle with the United States to secure the commanding heights across all critical domains of technology, most crucially artificial intelligence.”

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Kevin Rudd calls for vigilance to deter Xi’s threat to global order

JOE KELLY - 15th October 2024

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Kevin Rudd says the world must ride out the threat posed by Xi Jinping through a combination of deterrence and diplomacy, avoiding a conflict that could redefine global politics, up-end the US-China relationship and generate “death and destruction at an unimaginable scale.”

Australia’s top diplomat in Washington is also championing realism towards China’s stabilisation of ties with the US and its allies, arguing this represents merely a “shift in tactical diplomacy” as Beijing continues to press its challenge to the existing international order.

While it is unusual for an Australian ambassador to so publicly examine a leading international figure such as Xi Jinping, Dr Rudd has a unique vantage point as a former prime minister, foreign minister, diplomat and world expert on Chinese affairs.

In his new book, “On Xi Jinping” Dr Rudd argues that Mr Xi has changed China through the power of his own ideology and individual political leadership, offering an “alternative authoritarian development model for the world.”

Mr Xi’s objective is to “change the international order itself, underpinned by an increasingly powerful China as the emerging geopolitical and geo-economic fulcrum of that order.”

Dr Rudd also says that Beijing remains “locked in a death struggle with the United States to secure the commanding heights across all critical domains of technology, most crucially artificial intelligence.”

The warning comes amid a normalisation of relations between Canberra and Beijing, with China removing the final trade obstacle this month by resuming the live lobster trade after Australian exporters in 2020 were hit with restrictions costing $20bn annually.

The deal was clinched at last week’s ASEAN summit by Anthony Albanese and Chinese Premier Li Qiang – their second meeting this year. The Prime Minister said “a series of regular meetings between ministers” had resumed, with Jim Chalmers in September becoming the first treasurer in seven years to visit China and an Australian parliamentary delegation visiting China this week.

In the 604-page book based on his doctoral thesis and published by Oxford University Press, Dr Rudd makes the case that China’s threat to the global system will reach its pinnacle during the Xi Jinping era – concluding the danger period is now.

Should the world successfully navigate this stretch, Dr Rudd suggests China will return to the political centre because of the harsh toll arising from the Chinese leader’s insistence on strict adherence to his own interpretation of Marxist ideology.

Dr Rudd argues that Mr Xi has taken Chinese politics since 2012 to the “Leninist left” by reasserting the power of the leader, while shifting economic policy since 2017 to the “Marxist left” by elevating the primacy of state planning over market forces.

In addition, Mr Xi was moving Chinese foreign policy to the “nationalist right” by promoting Chinese civilisational centrality and a grievance culture over the West’s past occupation and containment of China.

Dr Rudd warns that a successful push to take Taiwan would usher in a period of US global decline and make Mr Xi’s position “unassailable.” He also says there is debate in China about integrating “nuclear forces into regional war-fighting scenarios given advances in US ballistic missile defence technology.”

“Xi’s period in office likely represents the period of peak danger on the possibility of war over Taiwan,” Dr Rudd says. “Unless Xi can hold on for another twenty years or more, China, on balance is less likely to become more ideologically extreme once he goes.”

Dr Rudd says China “would broadly welcome a return to the centre” after Mr Xi, saying that the challenge for the wider world “is to effectively navigate the Xi Jinping era through a combination of deterrence and diplomacy, without recourse to crisis, conflict and war.”

A war, “whatever its outcome, would generate death and destruction at an unimaginable scale.”

“It would also redefine Chinese, American and global politics and geopolitics in deeply predictable yet indelible ways,’ Dr Rudd says. “And the world would never be the same again.”

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21768209 (150841ZOCT24) Notable: WA Premier tells Port Hedland council 'stick to knitting' after anti-COVID vaccine motion passes - The Western Australia Premier has told a council in the state's north to "stick to its knitting" after it passed a motion urging state and federal governments to suspend some COVID-19 vaccinations. The Town of Port Hedland held a special council meeting on Friday and has instructed its chief executive to write to authorities nationwide to immediately stop the use of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The motion centred on a conspiracy theory about DNA contamination from COVID vaccines. Premier Roger Cook said the Port Hedland council had gone "off the rails" by spreading the unverified claim. "The Town of Port Hedland should stick to its knitting," the Premier said. "It should stay focused on the services and people of that community. "It's another example of that council lacking the focus on the issues which matter to their constituents … making sure they look after the people, not get distracted by these silly ideological debates." The Town of Port Hedland councillor who put forward the motion, Adrian McRae, ran as a candidate for the Great Australia Party, which campaigned against vaccine mandates at the 2022 federal election. He made headlines earlier this year over his appearance on Russian state television endorsing the transparency of Vladimir Putin's election victory. Cr McRae agreed that weighing in on national vaccine policy was not the council's job, but said state and federal governments had failed to take community concerns about the safety of COVID vaccines seriously. The DNA argument surfaced during the pandemic and has been discredited by several international bodies and the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. "DNA is stored in the protected centre of our cells - the nucleus. The mRNA is broken down quickly by the body. It never enters the nucleus and cannot affect or combine with our DNA in any way to change our genetic code," the department's website reads.

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WA Premier tells Port Hedland council 'stick to knitting' after anti-COVID vaccine motion passes

Charlie McLean and Jessica Shackleton - 14 October 2024

The Western Australia Premier has told a council in the state's north to "stick to its knitting" after it passed a motion urging state and federal governments to suspend some COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Town of Port Hedland held a special council meeting on Friday and has instructed its chief executive to write to authorities nationwide to immediately stop the use of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

The motion centred on a conspiracy theory about DNA contamination from COVID vaccines.

Premier Roger Cook said the Port Hedland council had gone "off the rails" by spreading the unverified claim.

"The Town of Port Hedland should stick to its knitting," the Premier said.

"It should stay focused on the services and people of that community.

"It's another example of that council lacking the focus on the issues which matter to their constituents … making sure they look after the people, not get distracted by these silly ideological debates."

The Town of Port Hedland councillor who put forward the motion, Adrian McRae, ran as a candidate for the Great Australia Party, which campaigned against vaccine mandates at the 2022 federal election.

He made headlines earlier this year over his appearance on Russian state television endorsing the transparency of Vladimir Putin's election victory.

Councillor claims vaccine concerns being ignored

Cr McRae agreed that weighing in on national vaccine policy was not the council's job, but said state and federal governments had failed to take community concerns about the safety of COVID vaccines seriously.

The DNA argument surfaced during the pandemic and has been discredited by several international bodies and the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care.

"DNA is stored in the protected centre of our cells — the nucleus. The mRNA is broken down quickly by the body. It never enters the nucleus and cannot affect or combine with our DNA in any way to change our genetic code," the department's website reads.

Vote doesn't represent community, says Mayor

Mayor Peter Carter and councillor Ambika Rebello were the only two councillors to vote against the motion, which passed 5-2.

"It's not the place for local government to do this sort of work," Cr Carter said.

"They're saying, 'well, it's for the community', well, the community is 17,000 people and we had 50 odd people in the gallery. That does not represent the whole community."

The motion also asked the council's administrators to write to the Prime Minister and national health authorities drawing attention to the issue.

The council's administration warned proceeding with the letter was almost certain to result in extreme reputational and financial impact.

Cr Carter said the motion was not a good look for the town.

"You're trying to build relationships with the state government, the federal government," he said.

"We're a very important town and this motion that was put forward … it shouldn't have even been there."

Cr Carter has faced his own controversies in recent years, including corruption allegations over his personal business dealings, inappropriate comments about a woman's mental health, and is engaged in defamation action against a fellow councillor.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-14/wa-council-port-hedland-approves-anti-covid-vaccine-motion/104471064

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21773932 (160842ZOCT24) Notable: New AUKUS submarine servicing and shipbuilding precinct at Henderson to 'rival resources industry' in WA - Western Australia's Henderson shipyard will house a multi-billion-dollar defence precinct for naval shipbuilding and servicing of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines to create an industry the state government claims will rival the state's massive resources industry. The Commonwealth today announced it would invest $127 million over the next three years for initial works, including feasibility studies and a detailed design. Defence Minister Richard Marles and Premier Roger Cook announced the cooperation agreement between the two governments for the shipyard in Perth's south would create a total of about 10,000 high-skilled jobs. "This represents the most significant defence industry offering to Western Australia since federation," Mr Marles said. The defence precinct will be established at the southern end of the shipyard and will be used to build new landing craft for the Australian army and new general purpose frigates for the Navy. After eight years of lobbying by the WA government, the Commonwealth has also agreed maintenance of the country's future nuclear-powered submarines, as part of the AUKUS defence agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom, will occur at Henderson. The shipyard will carry out depot-level maintenance on the submarines, meaning more than one dry dock will need to be built and thousands of highly-skilled workers will be needed into the future.

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New AUKUS submarine servicing and shipbuilding precinct at Henderson to 'rival resources industry' in WA

Nicolas Perpitch - 16 October 2024

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Western Australia's Henderson shipyard will house a multi-billion-dollar defence precinct for naval shipbuilding and servicing of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines to create an industry the state government claims will rival the state's massive resources industry.

The Commonwealth today announced it would invest $127 million over the next three years for initial works, including feasibility studies and a detailed design.

Defence Minister Richard Marles and Premier Roger Cook announced the cooperation agreement between the two governments for the shipyard in Perth's south would create a total of about 10,000 high-skilled jobs.

"This represents the most significant defence industry offering to Western Australia since federation," Mr Marles said.

The defence precinct will be established at the southern end of the shipyard and will be used to build new landing craft for the Australian army and new general purpose frigates for the Navy.

Submarine maintenance function

After eight years of lobbying by the WA government, the Commonwealth has also agreed maintenance of the country's future nuclear-powered submarines, as part of the AUKUS defence agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom, will occur at Henderson.

The shipyard will carry out depot-level maintenance on the submarines, meaning more than one dry dock will need to be built and thousands of highly-skilled workers will be needed into the future.

Mr Cook said it was a game changer that constituted a significant new industry for WA that would help diversify the state's economy.

"This particular industry will rival the resources industry as one of our main areas for economic growth, for economic activity and for employment," the premier said.

Mr Marles said it was too early to say what the total infrastructure cost of the project will be, but it is expected to be in the tens of billions.

Industry sources say a government-commissioned report from US project management firm Bechtel has presented various options costing between $12 billion and $20 billion.

The feasibility studies and detailed design will determine how many dry docks are necessary and the total cost.

UK, US subs to arrive from 2027

In 2022, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who signed the AUKUS agreement, had promised $4.3 billion to build a single dry dock at Henderson to "turbocharge" the naval shipbuilding industry.

The Henderson agreement builds on an announcement in March committing $8 billion to expand the HMAS Stirling Naval base, in nearby Rockingham, which will be home to Australia's nuclear propelled AUKUS submarines, the US Virginia class, from the early 2030s.

The naval base will host rotations of US and UK submarines from 2027.

Mr Marles today said the Henderson facility would not be ready for depot-level maintenance of submarines by 2027 but said it "aligned" with the requirements under AUKUS.

Australia's future nuclear submarines will be built in South Australia at the Osborne shipyard, while WA is now confirmed as the maintenance hub, next to the submarines' base.

But Mr Marles said it was not a competition between South Australia and WA and the workforce of both states was needed to build the new industry.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21773945 (160852ZOCT24) Notable: Papua New Guinea's chance at an NRL team may hinge on a pledge not to sign a security deal with China - Papua New Guinea's hopes of fielding a team in Australia's NRL competition could hinge on a promise from its government not to sign a security deal with China. Australia and PNG are closing in on agreement that would see Canberra provide up to $600 million in support for the NRL bid. The ABC can reveal the negotiations include an assurance PNG will not sign a security deal that could allow Chinese police or military forces to be based in the Pacific nation. When asked about the security element, PNG Prime Minister James Marape said it was not the "main feature" of the agreement. "I would not be in a position to say that that's the only reason why this has been happening," he told the ABC. "For PNG and Australia, we have deeper sentimental values. Both nations love rugby league, both nations have a strong affinity. And all in all, we're working towards far bigger issues than just the security aspect to it." In a sit-down interview with the ABC, he said the deal was about bringing Australia and PNG closer together. "Rugby league is one element of our soft diplomacy," he said. "It's one element of the Albanese Labor government using every tool of statecraft to bring the people of the Pacific and Australia together and ensure that Australia is the partner of choice." The minister said he didn't believe there was a place for Chinese police in the Pacific. "We make no secret of the fact that there's geopolitical competition in this region," he said. "Countries outside the region are always seeking to form security partnerships with Pacific nations. But Australia, as a proud member of the Pacific family, is committed to being the partner of choice."

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Papua New Guinea's chance at an NRL team may hinge on a pledge not to sign a security deal with China

Marian Faa - 14 Oct 2024

Papua New Guinea's hopes of fielding a team in Australia's NRL competition could hinge on a promise from its government not to sign a security deal with China.

Australia and PNG are closing in on agreement that would see Canberra provide up to $600 million in support for the NRL bid.

The ABC can reveal the negotiations include an assurance PNG will not sign a security deal that could allow Chinese police or military forces to be based in the Pacific nation.

When asked about the security element, PNG Prime Minister James Marape said it was not the "main feature" of the agreement.

"I would not be in a position to say that that's the only reason why this has been happening," he told the ABC.

"For PNG and Australia, we have deeper sentimental values. Both nations love rugby league, both nations have a strong affinity. And all in all, we're working towards far bigger issues than just the security aspect to it."

Pat Conroy, Australia's Minister for International Development and the Pacific, said the finer details of the agreement were still being negotiated, but he would not clarify what they were.

In a sit-down interview with the ABC, he said the deal was about bringing Australia and PNG closer together.

"Rugby league is one element of our soft diplomacy," he said.

"It's one element of the Albanese Labor government using every tool of statecraft to bring the people of the Pacific and Australia together and ensure that Australia is the partner of choice."

The minister said he didn't believe there was a place for Chinese police in the Pacific.

"We make no secret of the fact that there's geopolitical competition in this region," he said.

"Countries outside the region are always seeking to form security partnerships with Pacific nations. But Australia, as a proud member of the Pacific family, is committed to being the partner of choice."

Mr Conroy was in Port Moresby on Sunday to attend the Prime Minister's XIII rugby league games between Australia and PNG.

He and Mr Marape met with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and officials involved in the PNG NRL bid.

If successful, it's expected PNG will join the competition in 2028 with a team based out of Port Moresby.

Up to $600 million in Australian federal funding over 10 years would go towards setting up the franchise, player development, education and community outreach programs.

'Race for influence' in PNG

Dr Gordon Peake, a senior advisor on the Pacific islands at the United States Institute of Peace, said the security negotiations around the deal went far beyond "soft power" diplomacy.

"I think it shows that the real game that is going on here is very much about hard power, and it's all about Australia trying to thwart or stop Chinese influence in Papua New Guinea," he said.

The negotiations have come after Solomon Islands signed a wide-ranging security pact with China in 2022, which opened the way for Beijing to send police and military forces there.

The ABC understands China has sought similar deals with other Pacific nations, including Papua New Guinea.

"That [Solomon Islands deal] was really the equivalent of China running up the score against Australia," Dr Peake said.

"Australia doesn't really want to have another incident where it has diplomatic egg on its face, and it has China jostling for additional primacy in Papua New Guinea."

Dr Peake said China gaining a military foothold in PNG would present security risks to Australia given the two countries' proximity.

It remains unclear exactly how the deal would be framed and enforced.

"What would happen if, in the future, a Papua New Guinea minister went up to Beijing and signed something or agreed to expand relationships with China? I mean, would the NRL team be suspended?" Dr Peake said.

"Would they? Would they roll up and go home?

"It certainly puts China in second place in this race for influence in Papua New Guinea, but it's kind of hard to see how it's going to get implemented in the years to come."

Mr Conroy said the parties were broadly aligned on the "fundamentals" of an agreement, and he was optimistic it would be finalised soon.

It's unclear exactly when a deal will be announced, with negotiations ongoing.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-14/png-australia-nrl-deal-security-pact-with-china/104467706

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21773947 (160854ZOCT24) Notable: Using rugby to sabotage China-PNG cooperation? See how ‘sincerely’ Australia treats PICs - "How sincere is Australia when developing relations with countries of the South Pacific islands, a region Canberra always views as its own backyard and considers to be under its sphere of influence? The answer is that Australia's offers are never without conditions. In its views, it is all about what is in its tool box to control those island countries. According to a report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Monday, Canberra is considering providing up to $600 million in support for Papua New Guinea's hopes of fielding a team in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) competition, but the condition is that PNG shouldn't sign a security deal with China. On one hand, it is about rugby, on the other, it is about China's perceived influence. If Australia has truly linked these two unrelated matters, that would be laughable. If we delve into the reason behind this possible move by Australia, we could uncover its deep-seated zero-sum mentality and its questionable methods for exerting influence over Pacific Island countries (PICs) to jeopardize their cooperation with other nations. For a long time, Australia has approached these countries with a condescending attitude. The so-called cooperation is primarily for the sake of Australia's own interests, rather than the interests of those island countries. Especially as China has strengthened its cooperation with the region in recent years, Australia feels its supremacy being challenged, but fails to reflect on why it is losing hearts of these countries. The fact that it sees China's presence in the region as a threat and tries to sabotage China's cooperation with regional countries demonstrates a lack of respect for their sovereignty. The South Pacific island countries are becoming aware that Australia is not conducting its diplomacy correctly by using the region to engage in competition. Australia's approach to the region has strong geopolitical purposes, and is likely to backfire." - Global Times - globaltimes.cn

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>>276901

Using rugby to sabotage China-PNG cooperation? See how ‘sincerely’ Australia treats PICs

Global Times - Oct 15, 2024

How sincere is Australia when developing relations with countries of the South Pacific islands, a region Canberra always views as its own backyard and considers to be under its sphere of influence? The answer is that Australia's offers are never without conditions. In its views, it is all about what is in its tool box to control those island countries.

According to a report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Monday, Canberra is considering providing up to $600 million in support for Papua New Guinea's hopes of fielding a team in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) competition, but the condition is that PNG shouldn't sign a security deal with China.

On one hand, it is about rugby, on the other, it is about China's perceived influence. If Australia has truly linked these two unrelated matters, that would be laughable.

Even the Australian Strategic Policy Institute suggested that "Australia shouldn't need to use an NRL team as leverage to guarantee our security," because "if we do need to, then we mustn't be doing the rest of our diplomacy right."

If we delve into the reason behind this possible move by Australia, we could uncover its deep-seated zero-sum mentality and its questionable methods for exerting influence over Pacific Island countries (PICs) to jeopardize their cooperation with other nations.

For a long time, Australia has approached these countries with a condescending attitude. The so-called cooperation is primarily for the sake of Australia's own interests, rather than the interests of those island countries. Especially as China has strengthened its cooperation with the region in recent years, Australia feels its supremacy being challenged, but fails to reflect on why it is losing hearts of these countries. The fact that it sees China's presence in the region as a threat and tries to sabotage China's cooperation with regional countries demonstrates a lack of respect for their sovereignty.

Now Australia may be levering rugby cooperation with PNG to undermine normal economic and security cooperation between China and PNG. Behind the "olive branch" Australia extends lies its geopolitical calculations. As both Australia and PNG have deep sentimental values regarding rugby, Australia is playing the emotional card; however, it is actually introducing geopolitical competition into its financial assistance to the country, Qin Sheng, a research fellow at the Center for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

Qin noted that the extent to which Australia shows care and respect for PNG can be assessed by the effectiveness of its assistance. For decades, Australia has used its major power status in the South Pacific to impose influence on PNG, but it has not paid attention to the real needs of its people or the social and economic development of this small island nation. Last month, PNG's Minister for National Planning Ano Pala delivered scathing criticism of Australia's "boomerang aid" and development inefficiencies.

Chen Xiaochen, executive deputy director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Studies at East China Normal University, told the Global Times that the PICs have been reluctant to see exclusive and competitive relations in the region and therefore have adopted diverse diplomacy by cooperating with countries outside the region such as China. Notably, the Solomon Islands signed a policing cooperation agreement with China and refuted rhetoric from Australia and others that China is "a threat to the Pacific region peace."

The South Pacific island countries are becoming aware that Australia is not conducting its diplomacy correctly by using the region to engage in competition. Australia's approach to the region has strong geopolitical purposes, and is likely to backfire.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202410/1321259.shtml

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21781110 (170944ZOCT24) Notable: Alleged sex-cult leader James-Robert Davis jailed over domestic violence offences against woman he 'enslaved' - A New South Wales man accused of running a sex cult where women were allegedly kept as slaves has been sentenced to 25 months imprisonment for assaulting a former partner and another woman. James-Robert Davis appeared via audio-visual link in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday after last month being found guilty of seven offences, including assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Davis was arrested in March 2021 after a Four Corners investigation in which multiple women told the ABC that Davis had sexually or physically abused them. In sentencing remarks, Magistrate Clare Farnan described Davis's course of conduct as "a serious type of domestic violence because the offending had become normalised within a relationship". In 2021, Felicity Bourke told Four Corners she was subjected to months of psychological manipulation, coercive control and repeated physical and sexual violence perpetrated by her former partner, James-Robert Davis. Felicity described how she was told to sign a contract that would make her a "slave", was forced to wear a collar, and was tattooed with a number as part of what was pitched to her as a form of sexual role-play known as BDSM. At the time, Davis claimed that activity was consensual. In court, Magistrate Farnan found that the situation was properly characterised as one of domestic violence and the actions of Davis constituted a serious breach of the trust involved in this relationship. The court accepted that one count of assault involved Davis slapping Felicity so hard that it resulted in a burst eardrum. Another count of common assault involved Davis caning Felicity so hard that it left welts, which he claimed was consensual. The magistrate said that due to the nature of the relationship, it was difficult for Felicity to decline to consent to that type of activity. Davis's actions towards Felicity were "particularly concerning" because the power imbalance in the relationship "left [her] with little recourse", the magistrate added.

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Alleged sex-cult leader James-Robert Davis jailed over domestic violence offences against woman he 'enslaved'

Elise Worthington and Kyle Taylor - 17 October 2024

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A New South Wales man accused of running a sex cult where women were allegedly kept as slaves has been sentenced to 25 months imprisonment for assaulting a former partner and another woman.

James-Robert Davis appeared via audio-visual link in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday after last month being found guilty of seven offences, including assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Davis was arrested in March 2021 after a Four Corners investigation in which multiple women told the ABC that Davis had sexually or physically abused them.

In sentencing remarks, Magistrate Clare Farnan described Davis's course of conduct as "a serious type of domestic violence because the offending had become normalised within a relationship".

Warning: This story contains descriptions of extreme violence and sexual abuse that may disturb some readers.

In 2021, Felicity Bourke told Four Corners she was subjected to months of psychological manipulation, coercive control and repeated physical and sexual violence perpetrated by her former partner, James-Robert Davis.

Felicity described how she was told to sign a contract that would make her a "slave", was forced to wear a collar, and was tattooed with a number as part of what was pitched to her as a form of sexual role-play known as BDSM.

At the time, Davis claimed that activity was consensual.

In court, Magistrate Farnan found that the situation was properly characterised as one of domestic violence and the actions of Davis constituted a serious breach of the trust involved in this relationship.

The court accepted that one count of assault involved Davis slapping Felicity so hard that it resulted in a burst eardrum.

Magistrate Farnan remarked that "while the complainant remained in a relationship with [Davis] he had been allowed to act unlawfully because of the normalisation [of domestic violence] within the relationship".

Another count of common assault involved Davis caning Felicity so hard that it left welts, which he claimed was consensual. The magistrate said that due to the nature of the relationship, it was difficult for Felicity to decline to consent to that type of activity.

Davis's actions towards Felicity were "particularly concerning" because the power imbalance in the relationship "left [her] with little recourse", the magistrate added.

Trail of destruction

Speaking to Four Corners in 2021, Felicity explained it took her years to realise she was a victim because of the extent of the psychological manipulation she was subjected to, but felt compelled to speak out about Davis.

"He is not the ultimate, that he's not a God, that he cannot walk through this life doing as he pleases to women and getting away with it," she said.

Prior to his arrest, Four Corners confirmed multiple complaints had been made about Davis to state and federal authorities, but he continued to act with impunity for years, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Felicity told Four Corners at the time that she hoped sharing the abuse she endured would help other women facing the same fate.

"I always have thought about how those other girls feel and when you're in that position, all your power is taken away from you. And, it's really hard to get out," she said.

"Having the opportunity to be able to talk about my experiences could potentially help other girls in that situation to be able to escape."

Magistrate Farnan acknowledged that being subjected to cross-examination during the case was particularly distressing for Felicity.

Davis's legal defence submitted two letters in support of his character as well as medical reports detailing his diagnoses with PTSD, major depressive disorder and at one time an alcohol disorder.

A third character reference letter was withdrawn at the last moment, after the court refused to grant a non-publication order to suppress the author's identity.

The person in question was concerned about being publicly associated with Davis as a result of providing a character reference to the court.

None of the women who he previously referred to as his wives or slaves wrote character references or letters of support.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21789196 (181550ZOCT24) Notable: Australian air bases assisted with US strike on Houthi weapon stores - Air bases in Australia have helped with this week's United States air strike on underground Houthi weapons stores in Yemen, an attack that has been seen as a warning to Iran. The Department of Defence confirmed Australia provided support for US strikes on October 17, targeting the Houthi facilities "through access and overflight for US aircraft in northern Australia". "Australia is committed to supporting the US, and key partners, in disrupting Houthi capabilities used to threaten global trade and the lives of mariners in the Red Sea, a vital international waterway," a defence spokesperson said. The ABC understands air-to-air refuelling aircraft were part of the mission, although the defence department has declined to confirm. US Central Command issued a separate statement that it "conducted multiple, precision airstrikes" on storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, that had "various advanced conventional weapons used to target US and international military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden". US forces "targeted the Houthis' hardened underground facilities housing missiles, weapons components, and other munitions," it said. An Australian official said the "support is consistent with our long-standing alliance commitment and close cooperation, demonstrating the interoperability of our militaries". "Australia will continue to work with partners to deter actions that undermine global and regional security and stability."

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>>276799

Australian air bases assisted with US strike on Houthi weapon stores

Andrew Greene and Jacob Greber - 18 October 2024

Air bases in Australia have helped with this week's United States air strike on underground Houthi weapons stores in Yemen, an attack that has been seen as a warning to Iran.

The Department of Defence confirmed Australia provided support for US strikes on October 17, targeting the Houthi facilities "through access and overflight for US aircraft in northern Australia".

"Australia is committed to supporting the US, and key partners, in disrupting Houthi capabilities used to threaten global trade and the lives of mariners in the Red Sea, a vital international waterway," a defence spokesperson said.

The ABC understands air-to-air refuelling aircraft were part of the mission, although the defence department has declined to confirm.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said early on Friday morning (AEDT) that President Joe Biden ordered the strikes to "further degrade the Houthis' capability" to destabilise the region and protect US forces in "one of the world's most critical waterways".

While the US did not mention Iran, American media noted that the B-2 is the only plane capable of hitting deeply buried Iranian nuclear facilities.

"This was a unique demonstration of the United States' ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened or fortified," Mr Austin said.

"The employment of US Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers demonstrate US global strike capabilities to take action against these targets when necessary, anytime, anywhere."

The US has been battling Iran-backed Houthis since shortly after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel over a year ago.

US Central Command issued a separate statement that it "conducted multiple, precision airstrikes" on storage facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, that had "various advanced conventional weapons used to target US and international military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden".

US forces "targeted the Houthis' hardened underground facilities housing missiles, weapons components, and other munitions," it said.

An Australian official said the "support is consistent with our long-standing alliance commitment and close cooperation, demonstrating the interoperability of our militaries".

"Australia will continue to work with partners to deter actions that undermine global and regional security and stability."

Darwin MP Luke Gosling, who is also the federal government's special envoy for defence, told the ABC that Australia works "incredibly closely with the US Air Force" in the north.

"We obviously are part of a global effort to make sure that terrorists are not able to interdict free trade, are not able also to threaten the lives of Australians or indeed Australia's interest around the world," he said.

"So of course we work with our allies and our partners to achieve that aim."

Mr Gosling said there are "no deliberate messages being sent from Australia, other than we are in lock-step with our allies in order to uphold a rules-based order upon which Australia's security and prosperity is so dependent".

Strike was a 'direct message of power'

Justin Bassi, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the operation was unprecedented in scale, means and what it targeted.

Overshadowed by global attention falling on the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Mr Bassi said the raid is "possibly the major international story" of the past 24 hours.

"A direct message of power and deterrence to not only the Houthis, but Iran, it took a B-2 to be able to destroy these underground facilities in Yemen containing sophisticated weaponry supplied by Iran," he said.

In October 2022, Four Corners revealed that the US Air Force would build a "squadron operations facility" at RAAF Tindal air base, south of Darwin.

Two US B-2 bombers landed at Amberley Air Force Base near Brisbane in August, according to a post on X from an account calling itself the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

Whiteman is where the US Air Force bases its fleet of B-2 bombers, which is believed to number 19 operational warplanes, according to the New York Times.

The newspaper reported on Friday that the B-2 is the only warplane that can carry the largest class of specially built bombs that can punch through soil, rock or concrete before detonating.

It is not known whether the bombs, known as GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators or MOPs, were used in the mission.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-18/australian-airbase-used-in-us-strike-on-houthi-stores-yemen/104490578

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21789284 (181607ZOCT24) Notable: US congress asked to consider alternative AUKUS plan - The US congress has been handed an alternative AUKUS plan whereby it would not sell nuclear-powered submarines to Canberra and instead build up to eight new Virginia-class boats that could be retained in US Navy service and operated out of Australia. The eight extra Virginia-class submarines could be used for both US and Australian missions while freeing up funds for Canberra to invest in other capabilities such as long-range anti-ship missiles, drones, loitering munitions, B-21 long-range bombers, or other strike aircraft. The idea is canvassed by Ronald O’Rourke, a highly regarded specialist who has worked as a naval analyst for the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress since 1984, who labels the alternative model a US/Australian “military division of labour”. Under the alternative model, Mr O’Rourke says that “up to eight additional Virginia-class SSNs would be built, and instead of three to five of them being sold to Australia, these additional boats would instead be retained in US Navy service and operated out of Australia along with the five US and UK SSNs that are already planned to be operated out of Australia under Pillar 1 as SRF-West (Submarine Rotational Force-West)”. Mr O’Rourke links the case for the alternative model to concerns over whether the US industrial base can meet the target of producing 2.33 Virginia-class submarines per year - the rate needed to replace the boats sold to Australia.

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>>276900

US congress asked to consider alternative AUKUS plan

JOE KELLY - October 17, 2024

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The US congress has been handed an alternative AUKUS plan whereby it would not sell nuclear-powered submarines to Canberra and instead build up to eight new Virginia-class boats that could be retained in US Navy service and operated out of Australia.

The eight extra Virginia-class submarines could be used for both US and Australian missions while freeing up funds for Canberra to invest in other capabilities such as long-range anti-ship missiles, drones, loitering munitions, B-21 long-range bombers, or other strike aircraft.

The idea is canvassed by Ronald O’Rourke, a highly regarded specialist who has worked as a naval analyst for the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress since 1984, who labels the alternative model a US/Australian “military division of labour”.

It has won the backing of one of Australia’s leading strategic experts, Michael Shoebridge, who said Mr O’Rourke sought to present a “better plan that achieves the deterrence outcomes of AUKUS but does so in a faster and more cost-effective way”.

Mr Shoebridge, the founder and director of Strategic Analysis Australia, said “AUKUS is not ­actually about submarines – AUKUS is about deterring war with China by having increased military power that keeps making Xi Jinping think today is not the right day”.

“The alternative force Ronald O’Rourke sketches out with the B-21 bombers and new generation weapons and autonomous systems would be a more sovereign force than the current plan.”

By contrast, former home affairs secretary and leading strategic thinker Mike Pezzullo rejected Mr O’Rourke’s “model of keeping all of the SSNs for the US navy” and proposed a major lift in defence spending to boost submarine production rates.

The alternative AUKUS proposal from Mr O’Rourke, contained in an updated October 10 paper for members and committees of congress, would appear to clash with longstanding assurances from successive Australian governments that submarines provided by the US would remain under the sovereign control of the government of Australia.

Under the alternative model, Mr O’Rourke says that “up to eight additional Virginia-class SSNs would be built, and instead of three to five of them being sold to Australia, these additional boats would instead be retained in US Navy service and operated out of Australia along with the five US and UK SSNs that are already planned to be operated out of Australia under Pillar 1 as SRF-West (Submarine Rotational Force-West)”.

Mr O’Rourke links the case for the alternative model to concerns over whether the US industrial base can meet the target of producing 2.33 Virginia-class submarines per year – the rate needed to replace the boats sold to Australia.

The US Navy’s goal, set out in June 2023, called for maintaining a fleet of 66 SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines), but Mr O’Rourke notes there were only 48 in service in 2023.

He says the number of SSNs is projected to experience a “valley or trough from the mid-2020s through the early 2030s”.

Under the US Navy’s 30-year shipbuilding plan, the SSN force is forecast to decline to 47 boats in 2030, marking the bottom of the “valley”. It would then increase to 50 boats by 2032 and up to 66 boats by 2054.

Mr O’Rourke says these projected force levels do not account for the impact of selling three to five Virginia-class boats to Australia under AUKUS.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21793463 (191120ZOCT24) Notable: King Charles III presented with rare Aussie military honours on tour of Australia - King Charles III has been recognised with prestigious honorary rankings in Australia’s military on the first day of his inaugural visit to Australia as a reigning monarch. Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Sam Mostyn, appointed the King to the Honorary Ranks of Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal Australian Navy, Field Marshal of the Australian Army, and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force. King Charles has enjoyed a longstanding connection with the Australian Defence Force after he first held the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in 1977. “Australians share His Majesty’s pride in the ADF, its sailors, soldiers and aviators and the loved ones who support them,” Ms Mostyn said. Chief of the Defence Force Admiral, David Johnston, said the appointments reflected Australia’s cherished relationship with the crown. “The Sovereign serves as an example of service, and His Majesty’s appointments are symbolic of the Royal Family’s longstanding dedication and relationship with the nation,” he said.

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>>>/qresearch/21789113

King Charles III presented with rare Aussie military honours on tour of Australia

ADELAIDE LANG - 19 October 2024

King Charles III has been recognised with prestigious honorary rankings in Australia’s military on the first day of his inaugural visit to Australia as a reigning monarch.

Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Sam Mostyn, appointed the King to the Honorary Ranks of Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal Australian Navy, Field Marshal of the Australian Army, and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force.

King Charles has enjoyed a longstanding connection with the Australian Defence Force after he first held the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in 1977.

“Australians share His Majesty’s pride in the ADF, its sailors, soldiers and aviators and the loved ones who support them,” Ms Mostyn said.

Chief of the Defence Force Admiral, David Johnston, said the appointments reflected Australia’s cherished relationship with the crown.

“The Sovereign serves as an example of service, and His Majesty’s appointments are symbolic of the Royal Family’s longstanding dedication and relationship with the nation,” he said.

“Since Australian Federation in 1901, Australia’s military forces have been custodians of great traditions connected to the Commonwealth, and 123 years later the Australian Defence Force is proud to continue this legacy.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the Australian War Memorial and Australian Parliament House when they head to Canberra on Monday.

When they return to Sydney, they are expected to participate in a Fleet Review of five naval ships on Sydney Harbour before they return to the United Kingdom.

The King’s Flag for Australia will be flown throughout the King’s whirlwind visit in recognition of his role as King of Australia.

The flag reflects the shield of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and is used in the same way as the Royal Standard in the United Kingdom.

It will be flown on or outside buildings and on planes, cars, and ships to signify King Charles’ presence.

When King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in Sydney on Friday night, they were welcomed by Ms Mostyn, alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, and NSW Premier Chris Minns.

It is the King’s 17th visit to Australia since his first trip in 1966 at the age of 17 and his first since he was crowned in 2022.

He is the first reigning monarch to visit Australia in more than 13 years.

The now 75-year-old monarch is battling cancer and the Australian tour will be his first overseas engagement since the shock diagnosis in April.

This has led to a shorter visit and a scaled back schedule, with no commitments set down for Saturday.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/king-charles-iii-presented-with-rare-aussie-military-honours-on-tour-of-australia/news-story/3c3c517e1f7e79c60d901eecbd7664fe

https://x.com/AlboMP/status/1847229085346591172

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21793484 (191131ZOCT24) Notable: ‘Rupert, please do it this way’: Trump asks Murdoch to help him secure victory - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he plans to ask Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch to stop running negative ads and airing people who will criticise him ahead of November’s election. With just over two weeks left in the campaign, Trump appeared on Fox & Friends where he also revealed that people on the network helped write the jokes he told the night before during a speech at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York, a longstanding feature of US presidential campaigns. The comments came as both Trump and Kamala Harris hit the battleground of Michigan on Friday (Saturday AEDT) - a swing state in the midwest with high numbers of union workers, black voters and Arab Americans. Trump won the state against Hillary Clinton in 2016 but lost it to Joe Biden in 2020. But in a sign of just how desperate Democrats are to hold on to it, Harris plans to return to Michigan next Saturday to campaign with one of the party’s most popular figures: Michelle Obama. Before heading to Michigan, Trump appeared on Murdoch’s conservative cable network for an interview, in which he told the hosts: “You know the event I have now? A very big event. I’m going to see Rupert Murdoch. I’m going to tell him something very simple, because I can’t talk to anybody else about it: Don’t put on negative commercials for 21 days and don’t put on the horrible people that come and lie,” he said. “I’m going to say: Rupert, please do it this way. And then we’re gonna have a victory, because I think everyone wants to have a victory.”

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‘Rupert, please do it this way’: Trump asks Murdoch to help him secure victory

Farrah Tomazin - October 19, 2024

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Michigan: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he plans to ask Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch to stop running negative ads and airing people who will criticise him ahead of November’s election.

With just over two weeks left in the campaign, Trump appeared on Fox & Friends where he also revealed that people on the network helped write the jokes he told the night before during a speech at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York, a longstanding feature of US presidential campaigns.

The comments came as both Trump and Kamala Harris hit the battleground of Michigan on Friday (Saturday AEDT) – a swing state in the midwest with high numbers of union workers, black voters and Arab Americans.

Trump won the state against Hillary Clinton in 2016 but lost it to Joe Biden in 2020. But in a sign of just how desperate Democrats are to hold on to it, Harris plans to return to Michigan next Saturday to campaign with one of the party’s most popular figures: Michelle Obama.

Before heading to Michigan, Trump appeared on Murdoch’s conservative cable network for an interview, in which he told the hosts: “You know the event I have now? A very big event. I’m going to see Rupert Murdoch.”

“I’m going to tell him something very simple, because I can’t talk to anybody else about it: Don’t put on negative commercials for 21 days and don’t put on the horrible people that come and lie,” he said. “I’m going to say: Rupert, please do it this way. And then we’re gonna have a victory, because I think everyone wants to have a victory.”

The night before, the former president appeared at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner, an annual dinner to raise funds for Catholic charities supporting children in New York.

For years, the dinner has offered candidates from both parties the chance to trade light-hearted barbs in the final stretch of the campaign.

Harris opted not to attend, marking the first time a major presidential candidate has snubbed the dinner in 40 years. She instead appeared in a pre-recorded video and comedy skit alongside actress Molly Shannon reprising her Saturday Night Live character Mary Katherine Gallagher, a quirky Catholic student.

Trump was the keynote speaker and made a rare appearance with his wife, Melania. His jokes not only took aim at Harris, he also mocked her husband, Doug Emhoff, who had an extramarital affair with his first wife – “The only piece of advice I would have for her in the event that she wins is not to let her husband Doug anywhere near the nannies” – Joe Biden – “President Biden couldn’t be here tonight. The DNC made sure of that” – and Democrat Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, who Trump said was “looking very glum” – “But look on the bright side Chuck. Considering how woke your party has become, if Kamala loses, you still have a chance to become the first woman president.”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21793501 (191142ZOCT24) Notable: South Australian upper house narrowly votes down late-term abortion law amendments, with controversy between MP's - South Australia's upper house has narrowly voted down a proposal to amend abortion laws that would have required people wanting to terminate their pregnancy after 28 weeks to deliver their baby alive. The amendments, proposed by Liberal MP Ben Hood, would have required women seeking to terminate a pregnancy from 28 weeks to instead undergo an induced birth, with babies to then be adopted. Under legislation passed in 2021, a pregnant person can get a late-term abortion after 22 weeks and six days if it is deemed medically appropriate and approved by two doctors. According to SA Health, in the first 18 months after the legislation was implemented, "fewer than five" people had their pregnancies terminated after 27 weeks. Both major parties allowed a conscience vote on the private member's bill, meaning that MPs did not need to vote along party lines. After around 3 hours of debate on Wednesday evening, the bill was defeated just before 10pm - nine members voted in favour of the bill and 10 against. The proposal has been met with debate within both political and broader medical circles. The proposed amendment, which has been strongly backed by anti-abortion campaigner and University of Adelaide law professor Joanna Howe, has been met with support at rallies on Parliament steps. It has been opposed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), with its SA committee chair Heather Waterfall labelling abortion "an essential service".

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>>241045 (pb)

South Australian upper house narrowly votes down late-term abortion law amendments, with controversy between MP's

Sophie Holder and Evelyn Leckie - 17 Oct 2024

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South Australia's upper house has narrowly voted down a proposal to amend abortion laws that would have required people wanting to terminate their pregnancy after 28 weeks to deliver their baby alive.

The amendments, proposed by Liberal MP Ben Hood, would have required women seeking to terminate a pregnancy from 28 weeks to instead undergo an induced birth, with babies to then be adopted.

Under legislation passed in 2021, a pregnant person can get a late-term abortion after 22 weeks and six days if it is deemed medically appropriate and approved by two doctors.

According to SA Health, in the first 18 months after the legislation was implemented, "fewer than five" people had their pregnancies terminated after 27 weeks.

Both major parties allowed a conscience vote on the private member's bill, meaning that MPs did not need to vote along party lines.

After around 3 hours of debate on Wednesday evening, the bill was defeated just before 10pm — nine members voted in favour of the bill and 10 against.

Parliament controversy

The vote was marred by disagreements between MPs, that resulted in a Liberal MP who was home on sick leave making a last minute dash to parliament to ensure her vote was counted.

Ms Lensink was away from parliament for the debate, because she is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

She was a major proponent of the 2021 laws that decriminalised abortion in South Australia, and is strongly opposed to the changes being pushed by conservatives in her party.

She told ABC Radio Adelaide she was initially granted a pair arrangement by a Liberal Party colleague, Jing Lee.

Under that arrangement Ms Lee, who was in favour of the bill, would abstain from the vote, meaning the outcome wouldn't been affected by Ms Lensink's absence.

But Ms Lensink said about half an hour before the vote, Ms Lee told her she would no longer be her pair.

Ms Lensink said she then understood One Nation MP Sarah Game would be her pair instead.

"I thought it was fixed … then I start getting more texts and phone calls from other colleagues saying not it's not," Ms Lensink said.

"I thought it might get to the point where I would physically have to go there because I felt my pair might not be honoured."

It was then Ms Lensink said she got into an Uber to rush to parliament.

Ms Lensink said while decisions like Ms Lee's happen "from time to time", she was frustrated that Ms Game did not tell her she was not going to act as her pair.

Ultimately another Liberal colleague, Dennis Hood agreed to pair with Ms Lensink.

Mr Hood said he agreed to the arrangement because Ms Lensink did the same for him when he was undergoing cancer treatment during previous debate on a bill regarding sex work laws.

"I was unable to be in the parliament, I was just too ill and I think I was in hospital at the time," Mr Hood said.

"Michelle was good enough to pair me at the time so I said to her if you ever need the favour returned I would do the right thing by you."

Speaking outside Parliament on Thursday, Ms Game said it was "highly distressing" to know the situation that Ms Lensink was put in, but defended her own actions.

"There probably was a period of a couple of minutes where she thought I was open to pairing with her," she said.

"However as soon as I clarified that for a conscience vote that wasn't required, there was absolutely no way I would be voting against this bill.

She said Ms Lensink "misread the situation entirely".

"If it's a conscience vote, you cannot rely on somebody else being willing to give up their vote," she said.

Jing Lee has been contacted for comment.

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Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21793516 (191151ZOCT24) Notable: Grant Harden: Pedophile soccer coach who abused seven boys has sentence reduced - A vile pedophile and volunteer soccer coach who sexually abused seven boys has had six months shaved off his lengthy prison sentence, with a court hearing he had been attacked in jail forcing authorities to move him to another prison. Grant Harden, of St Clair in western Sydney, was jailed after he filmed his sexual abuse of seven children and shared the videos online with a pedophile ring. Harden’s offences were described as “extreme” and the sick child abuse material he produced as being “of a most shocking kind” after he subjected his victims, who were as young as four, to horrific abuse. He was arrested in May 2020 as part of the AFP’s sweeping sting on a pedophile network before he was ultimately handed a crushing 30-year jail sentence. His non-parole period was set at 22 years and told he would not be eligible for release until May 2042 when he would be 51. However, this year, he launched an appeal, in part claiming his sentence was “manifestly excessive”. The Court of Criminal Appeal - comprising Justices Natalie Adams, Ian Harrison, Peter Hamill – dismissed two of the three grounds on which he appealed. “The possession and distribution of images of sexual abuse, torture and humiliation of very young children, including toddlers and babies constitutes serious offending,” Justice Adams said in a judgment published on Friday. They did find that his sentence was the subject of error because District Court Judge Sarah Huggett was given incorrect details by the prosecution about the maximum penalty for the child abuse material offences. The mistake at the time was not picked up by Harden’s lawyers either. In June 2020, the law was changed, increasing the maximum penalty for the offence of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service from 25 years to 30 years. However some of Harden’s offending pre-dated the legislation being amended. His total sentence was reduced down to 29 and a half years, with a 21-year, six-month non-parole period meaning he’ll remain in jail until at least November 7, 2041.

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Grant Harden: Pedophile soccer coach who abused seven boys has sentence reduced

Prison attacks on a pedophile, who sexually abused boys and then filmed and shared it online, have been revealed during his plea for a shorter sentence.

Steve Zemek - October 18, 2024

Warning: Graphic content.

A vile pedophile and volunteer soccer coach who sexually abused seven boys has had six months shaved off his lengthy prison sentence, with a court hearing he had been attacked in jail forcing authorities to move him to another prison.

Grant Harden, of St Clair in western Sydney, was jailed after he filmed his sexual abuse of seven children and shared the videos online with a pedophile ring.

Harden’s offences were described as “extreme” and the sick child abuse material he produced as being “of a most shocking kind” after he subjected his victims, who were as young as four, to horrific abuse.

He was arrested in May 2020 as part of the AFP’s sweeping sting on a pedophile network before he was ultimately handed a crushing 30-year jail sentence.

After pleading guilty, he was sentenced for two lots of offences.

One was for the rape of the seven young boys and included 26 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10 and 35 counts of sexually touching boys under 10.

The court was told that Harden exploited one of his victim’s love of video games and groomed him by offering to buy him “skins” for Fortnite.

The second group of offences included using a carriage service to produce, possess, transmit and advertise child abuse material.

When police seized his phone they found more than 450 videos and images, including material featuring Harden’s abuse and exploitation of the young boys.

His non-parole period was set at 22 years and told he would not be eligible for release until May 2042 when he would be 51.

However, this year, he launched an appeal, in part claiming his sentence was “manifestly excessive”.

The Court of Criminal Appeal – comprising Justices Natalie Adams, Ian Harrison, Peter Hamill – dismissed two of the three grounds on which he appealed.

“The possession and distribution of images of sexual abuse, torture and humiliation of very young children, including toddlers and babies constitutes serious offending,” Justice Adams said in a judgment published on Friday.

She added that Harden had been “seeking out more extreme content from those with whom he traded.”

They did find that his sentence was the subject of error because District Court Judge Sarah Huggett was given incorrect details by the prosecution about the maximum penalty for the child abuse material offences.

The mistake at the time was not picked up by Harden’s lawyers either.

In June 2020, the law was changed, increasing the maximum penalty for the offence of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service from 25 years to 30 years.

However some of Harden’s offending pre-dated the legislation being amended.

The Court of Criminal Appeal did not find that he should get a lesser sentence for that group of offences.

But they did find there should have been a greater overlap between the two lots of sentences.

His total sentence was reduced down to 29 and a half years, with a 21-year, six-month non-parole period meaning he’ll remain in jail until at least November 7, 2041.

The court was also told Harden had been targeted in jail and last year had to be moved to another prison.

“He has also been the target of a number of attacks by fellow inmates, the most recent of which resulted in his relocation from Junee Correctional Centre in late 2023,” Justice Adams said.

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/pedophile-soccer-coach-who-abused-seven-boys-has-sentence-reduced/news-story/bb2a6942162e02e310be14ee897f0adf

https://qresear.ch/?q=grant+harden

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21793646 (191248ZOCT24) Notable: Video: Vindication for victims as paedophile counsellor Allan Keith Huggins jailed for at least 20 years - When one of serial paedophile Allan Keith Huggins' victims first reported the abuse, police did not believe him. The then-teenager instead received a beating from his father for potentially ruining someone's career. Years later that victim, Garry Faint, described the experience as a "nightmare", saying his parents died without knowing the truth about Huggins. "They believed him over me," Faint said. Huggins today learned he would likely die in prison for sexually abusing multiple boys during the 1970s and '80s. The abusive former counsellor received a minimum 20-year jail term, backdated to 2020, making him first eligible for release in 2040, when he would be 92 years old. He was found guilty in August on 36 counts of molesting 10 young male patients in Armidale, in northern NSW, between 1977 and 1986. As the emotionless 77-year-old was led from the Sydney courtroom, his many victims and their supporters let out cheers and jabs of abuse. "Hope you rot now you bastard," one said. Another victim of Huggins' abuse, Phil Wright, said the outcome was better than many had expected and marked the end of a long journey after the crimes were first reported to police more than four decades ago. "It feels like an amazing vindication," he said. Both Wright and Faint reported the abuse to adults, including members of the Catholic church, but were either not believed or ignored, Judge Penelope Hock noted during sentencing. Faint went to police after fleeing an assault by Huggins, but was instead driven home by the officers to be dealt with by his parents. The officers had a brief conversation with his father, who later gave him "the biggest hiding of (his) life", leaving him with injuries including broken ribs. Before the beating, the court was told his father said: "You f-cking little bastard, you're going to wreck someone's career." "The police did not take any action," Judge Hock said. "This was no doubt in part because of the offender's respected position in the community."

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Vindication for victims as paedophile counsellor Allan Keith Huggins jailed for at least 20 years

Duncan Murray - Oct 18, 2024

When one of serial paedophile Allan Keith Huggins' victims first reported the abuse, police did not believe him.

The then-teenager instead received a beating from his father for potentially ruining someone's career.

Years later that victim, Garry Faint, described the experience as a "nightmare", saying his parents died without knowing the truth about Huggins.

"They believed him over me," Faint said.

Huggins today learned he would likely die in prison for sexually abusing multiple boys during the 1970s and '80s.

The abusive former counsellor received a minimum 20-year jail term, backdated to 2020, making him first eligible for release in 2040, when he would be 92 years old.

He was found guilty in August on 36 counts of molesting 10 young male patients in Armidale, in northern NSW, between 1977 and 1986.

As the emotionless 77-year-old was led from the Sydney courtroom, his many victims and their supporters let out cheers and jabs of abuse.

"Hope you rot now you bastard," one said.

Another victim of Huggins' abuse, Phil Wright, said the outcome was better than many had expected and marked the end of a long journey after the crimes were first reported to police more than four decades ago.

"It feels like an amazing vindication," he said.

Both Wright and Faint reported the abuse to adults, including members of the Catholic church, but were either not believed or ignored, Judge Penelope Hock noted during sentencing.

Faint went to police after fleeing an assault by Huggins, but was instead driven home by the officers to be dealt with by his parents.

The officers had a brief conversation with his father, who later gave him "the biggest hiding of (his) life", leaving him with injuries including broken ribs.

Before the beating, the court was told his father said: "You f-cking little bastard, you're going to wreck someone's career."

"The police did not take any action," Judge Hock said.

"This was no doubt in part because of the offender's respected position in the community."

The victims of Huggins' NSW crimes were forced to wait more than a decade for him to finish serving a prison sentence in Western Australia, where he was convicted in 2015 of similar crimes and spent nine years behind bars.

Between 1977 and 1988, Huggins worked in NSW as counsellor of teenage and pre-teen boys, many of whom were vulnerable.

"Unbeknownst to those who employed him, he was a pedophile who went on to assault boys he was engaged to assist," Judge Hock said.

Huggins used hypnosis and relaxation techniques to place his victims in vulnerable states before removing their clothes and engaging in extreme acts of sexual abuse.

During the trial, Wright described being unable to move or stop the abuse from happening

The court was told at the start of today's District Court sentencing that a letter was delivered to the judge's chambers from Huggins, which was handed back to his solicitor unopened after Judge Hock declared the move "completely inappropriate".

The divorced father-of-three adult women did not react as the sentence was delivered, having spent much of the trial silently taking notes with his gaze stiffly lowered.

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline (13 11 14), the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).

https://www.1800respect.org.au/

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

https://www.kidshelpline.com.au/

https://www.9news.com.au/national/allan-keith-huggins-victims-cheer-as-paedophile-counsellor-jailed-for-at-least-20-years/159e7535-7c76-48b9-a095-ca16ce08f7d2

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21793661 (191253ZOCT24) Notable: Daniel Andrews appointed chair of key youth mental health institute - A mental health institute has defended appointing former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews as its new chair after ex-Liberal leader and Beyond Blue founder Jeff Kennett called the move “absurd”. Andrews, who stood down in September last year after almost a decade in office, will soon lead the board of Orygen, a clinical research organisation based in Parkville, in Melbourne’s inner north. His new position, announced on Friday morning, will be a fixed three-year term. The institute works with young people and their families to pioneer and advocate for new preventive treatments for mental health disorders. During his premiership, Andrews established the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and also helped oversee the development of the biomedical precinct where Orygen is located. He also implemented some of the strictest lockdown measures in the world during the pandemic, which experts say have had lingering effects on young people’s mental health. “I’m incredibly proud to take on this leadership role to help Orygen and its world-leading experts at this pivotal time for youth mental health in Australia and globally,” Andrews said in a statement. “Orygen is one of Australia’s most important organisations, with a bold vision for all young people to enjoy the very best mental health as they grow into adulthood.

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Daniel Andrews appointed chair of key youth mental health institute

Broede Carmody - October 18, 2024

A mental health institute has defended appointing former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews as its new chair after ex-Liberal leader and Beyond Blue founder Jeff Kennett called the move “absurd”.

Andrews, who stood down in September last year after almost a decade in office, will soon lead the board of Orygen, a clinical research organisation based in Parkville, in Melbourne’s inner north. His new position, announced on Friday morning, will be a fixed three-year term.

The institute works with young people and their families to pioneer and advocate for new preventive treatments for mental health disorders.

During his premiership, Andrews established the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and also helped oversee the development of the biomedical precinct where Orygen is located. He also implemented some of the strictest lockdown measures in the world during the pandemic, which experts say have had lingering effects on young people’s mental health.

“I’m incredibly proud to take on this leadership role to help Orygen and its world-leading experts at this pivotal time for youth mental health in Australia and globally,” Andrews said in a statement.

“Orygen is one of Australia’s most important organisations, with a bold vision for all young people to enjoy the very best mental health as they grow into adulthood.

“It will be an honour to work closely with executive director Professor Patrick McGorry and help him realise that vision through Orygen’s groundbreaking research, knowledge translation, advocacy, workforce development and clinical care.”

But former Liberal premier and Beyond Blue founder Jeff Kennett criticised the move, arguing it was “the most absurd” appointment he had heard of in recent times.

“It is an abject disgrace to all of those who have suffered as a result of his gross mismanagement of the state,” Kennett said on Friday.

“I welcome former politicians who have been fortunate enough to hold high office doing more in the community, but this just doesn’t pass the pub test.”

Opposition mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy said young people would remember Andrews for school closures during the pandemic.

“To put Andrews in charge of Victoria’s lead mental health agency is a disgraceful political appointment, particularly now Labor have scrapped their promise to implement all recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System,” Kealy said.

The Age last week revealed the Allan government had quietly shelved a commitment to legislate eight regional mental health boards in the time frame set out by the royal commission. Labor says it remains committed to every recommendation set out in the final report, but critics say missed timelines represent broken promises.

Andrews did not conduct interviews on Friday.

McGorry, Orygen’s executive director, defended the appointment and said his organisation would always have a bipartisan approach to mental health reform.

“I think it’s unfortunate if people are going to try to politicise this appointment,” he said. “All political leaders have their enemies. But this is a post-politics phase.

“We’re dealing with a youth mental health crisis in Australia and around the world. Orygen’s been at the heart of reform, and we need strong leadership. I’m surprised that Mr Kennett responded in the way he did.”

McGorry, a psychiatrist and former Australian of the Year, also said states with fewer and less restrictive lockdowns than Victoria had recorded similar mental health impacts during the pandemic.

“Western Australia, for example, Queensland. The data shows the mental health impacts of the pandemic were very similar to what we had in Victoria,” he said.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/daniel-andrews-appointed-chair-of-key-youth-mental-health-institute-20241018-p5kjf8.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21793672 (191256ZOCT24) Notable: ‘Slap in the face’: Backlash over Dan Andrews’ role as chair of youth mental health service - A Victorian mother whose son died by suicide during Covid has slammed the decision to appoint Daniel Andrews as the chair of a youth mental health service. The Herald Sun on Friday revealed the former Premier had been appointed to lead the board of Orygen, a not-for-profit youth mental health research institute and charity. But it’s prompted a fierce backlash and comes despite latest data showing a surge in youth suicides, and calls for the state government to do more to address mental health concerns for young Victorians. Ange Shearman, whose 16-year-old son Louie took his own life in April 2020, said the former Premier’s “hard line” lockdown policies were a major “push factor” in her boy’s death. “I find it offensive, I find it disrespectful and a slap in the face,” she told the Saturday Herald Sun. “Considering he was the Premier of the longest lockdown in the whole country, I find it very distasteful that he would be the chair of anything related to mental health.” Ms Shearman accused Mr Andrews and his government of having no regard to the mental health impacts that lockdowns, specifically at the start of the pandemic, had on the community. “I do blame his initial policies and hard line as a push factor (for my son’s death). If Louie could have got out of the house and be with his friends I think he’d still be here today. I think lockdown was a major factor,” she said.

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>>276911

‘Slap in the face’: Backlash over Dan Andrews’ role as chair of youth mental health service

A mother whose teenage son died by suicide during the ­pandemic has slammed the decision to appoint Daniel ­Andrews as the chair of a leading youth mental health service.

Shannon Deery - October 18, 2024

A Victorian mother whose son died by suicide during Covid has slammed the decision to appoint Daniel Andrews as the chair of a youth mental health service.

The Herald Sun on Friday revealed the former Premier had been appointed to lead the board of Orygen, a not-for-profit youth mental health research institute and charity.

But it’s prompted a fierce backlash and comes despite latest data showing a surge in youth suicides, and calls for the state government to do more to address mental health concerns for young Victorians.

Ange Shearman, whose 16-year-old son Louie took his own life in April 2020, said the former Premier’s “hard line” lockdown policies were a major “push factor” in her boy’s death.

“I find it offensive, I find it disrespectful and a slap in the face,” she told the Saturday Herald Sun.

“Considering he was the Premier of the longest lockdown in the whole country, I find it very distasteful that he would be the chair of anything related to mental health.”

Ms Shearman accused Mr Andrews and his government of having no regard to the mental health impacts that lockdowns, specifically at the start of the pandemic, had on the community.

“I do blame his initial policies and hard line as a push factor (for my son’s death). If Louie could have got out of the house and be with his friends I think he’d still be here today. I think lockdown was a major factor,” she said.

Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett said it was “an extraordinary appointment given the condition of so many Victorians as a result of his mismanagement of the state”.

Mr Kennett, the founder of mental health group Beyond Blue, added: “He (Andrews) is such a divisive figure in our community and given there will be a change of government at the next election, federally, I’m not sure that this is in the best interests of Orygen and the people they are trying to assist.”

Peter Meuleman, the father of a teenage cyclist struck by the Andrews’ family SUV in Blairgowrie in 2013, said it was “a disgraceful decision”.

“Andrews continues to hurt my son Ryan’s mental health to this day. This appointment is likely to re-traumatise Ryan and a lot of other people I suspect,” he said.

“I cannot believe anyone who claims to be an expert in youth mental health would think this is a good idea.”

Mr Andrews, who will replace Professor Ed Byrne as chair, was a longtime advocate for mental health investment and established a royal commission into the issue while in the top job.

In response to the royal commission’s 74 recommendations, Mr Andrews announced a record $3.8bn funding injection into mental health service in the 2021 state budget.

But since then the state government has walked back its investment and delayed the promised rollout of community-based centres.

In a statement, Mr Andrews said he was “incredibly proud” to be taking up the role during a “pivotal time for youth mental health in Australia and globally”.

“Orygen is one of Australia’s most important organisations, with a bold vision for all young people to enjoy the very best mental health as they grow into adulthood,” he said.

Orygen executive director and psychiatrist Professor Patrick McGorry said Mr Andrews’ had a “proven record as an agent of change with a strategic mindset”.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/former-victorian-premier-daniel-andrews-appointed-chair-of-youth-mental-health-service-orygen/news-story/245d9461523c5c11cbd15936beb520ff

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21798538 (200829ZOCT24) Notable: ‘I’ve been waiting my whole life’: Delighted fans greet King and Queen - King Charles III and Queen Camilla were greeted by warm weather as they made their first public appearance in Australia during an intimate Sunday morning service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in northern Sydney. Upon arrival, the royal couple were greeted by crowds that wrapped around the church’s property, hoping to catch a glimpse of them. As Charles and Camilla made their way to the front of church, children waving Australian flags cheered and shook hands with the couple. The Queen, wearing a pale green Anna Valentine dress and straw hat, was given flowers by the church minister’s wife, Ellie Mantle, as she proceeded into the church. Once inside, the royal couple were bathed in sunlight that poured through the door and stained glass windows. Dozens of phones pointed in their direction, while excited whispers echoed through the room. Despite the important guests, Sunday’s service was restricted to the local congregation, with only a few special guests allowed to attend, such as Australia’s Governor-General and the Governor of New South Wales Margaret Beazley. Bishop Christopher Edwards delivered a prayer, asking for the protection of the king and queen, along with a hope the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa would be prosperous.

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>>>/qresearch/21789113

‘I’ve been waiting my whole life’: Delighted fans greet King and Queen

King Charles III and Queen Camilla have been welcomed by warm weather as they made their first public appearance in Australia during an intimate Sunday morning service.

LAURA CHUNG and JOANNA PANAGOPOULOS - 20 October 2024

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla were greeted by warm weather as they made their first public appearance in Australia during an intimate Sunday morning service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in northern Sydney.

Upon arrival, the royal couple were greeted by crowds that wrapped around the church’s property, hoping to catch a glimpse of them.

As Charles and Camilla made their way to the front of church, children waving Australian flags cheered and shook hands with the couple. The Queen, wearing a pale green Anna Valentine dress and straw hat, was given flowers by the church minister’s wife, Ellie Mantle, as she proceeded into the church.

Once inside, the royal couple were bathed in sunlight that poured through the door and stained glass windows. Dozens of phones pointed in their direction, while excited whispers echoed through the room.

Despite the important guests, Sunday’s service was restricted to the local congregation, with only a few special guests allowed to attend, such as Australia’s Governor-General and the Governor of New South Wales Margaret Beazley.

Bishop Christopher Edwards delivered a prayer, asking for the protection of the king and queen, along with a hope the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa would be prosperous.

He also asked for world peace and an end to wars.

The service also featured hymns, prayers and several readings from the Old and New Testaments (Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Acts 8:26-40).

Finally, the church’s minister Michael Mantle thanked the King and Queen for their attendance and said it was an honour to host them.

Sunday’s service was filled with history. Upon arrival at the church, Charles passed by the corner stone of the church that was unveiled in 1881 by his great-grandfather King George V. Charles and Camilla also signed two bibles in black pen, including one that belonged to Australia’s first minister, Richard Johnson, who was also the Chaplin on the first fleet.

‘I’ve been waiting my whole life’

Mother and daughter Vallerie and Alexis Malinowski were the first in line.

“I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet King Charles,” Vallerie said.

She was 15 when she saw Charles on television for the first time, starting her long-held intrigue with the Royal family.

“From then on it was a real connection,” she said.

Alexis showed The Australian a photo aged four when she was pictured handing some wildflowers to the then-Queen.

Many of the royal enthusiasts had attended the King’s coronation in the UK last year.

At least a dozen pro-Palestinian protesters also gathered outside St Thomas’ Anglican Church ahead of the royal pair’s arrival.

The demonstrators held one large banner reading “Empire built on genocide. Not our king”, as they expressed solidarity with the Indigenous Australians, Lebanese and Palestinian people.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21798551 (200848ZOCT24) Notable: How a ‘monster’ allegedly used popular gaming platform for sadistic sextortion plot - A “monster” who used popular gaming and social media platforms to groom a child into committing “sadistic” violent and sexual acts is part of a growing trend, NSW Police allege. Police will allege NSW man Jake Vandermeel connected with a “vulnerable child” on a social media platform in August 2023, and continued to converse with the girl on multiple platforms for nine months. The 28-year-old would play online games with the girl, aged 15, for up to six hours a day at times and would convince the child to commit sexual acts and self-harm for his own gratification. Police allege Vandermeel threatened the girl with rape, abduction and murder if she didn’t comply with his requests.The girl eventually reached out for help through Kids Helpline, who helped her report the alleged abuse to her family and police. Vandermeel was arrested on Wednesday at Safety Beach, around 30 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour, and charged with multiple child sex abuse offences, including using a device to engage in sexual activity with a child, to groom a child under 16 years old for sex and to cause a child to commit a sexual act. Vandermeel is allegedly part of a growing trend of “sadistic sexploitation”, a deviation of typical sextortion cases where instead of grooming the child for financial gain, the victims are being used for the offender’s own personal gratification. Sex crimes squad commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty described the alleged offending as “the most horrendous acts that anyone can perform against a child”. “For investigators to sit and read almost nine months of conversations where this man is manipulating and coercing this child to commit violent acts against themselves, filming them for him. It breaks your soul a little bit,” she said. “Yesterday, we arrested a monster.”

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How a ‘monster’ allegedly used popular gaming platform for sadistic sextortion plot

Jessica McSweeney - October 17, 2024

A “monster” who used popular gaming and social media platforms to groom a child into committing “sadistic” violent and sexual acts is part of a growing trend, NSW Police allege.

Police will allege NSW man Jake Vandermeel connected with a “vulnerable child” on a social media platform in August 2023, and continued to converse with the girl on multiple platforms for nine months.

The 28-year-old would play online games with the girl, aged 15, for up to six hours a day at times and would convince the child to commit sexual acts and self-harm for his own gratification.

Police allege Vandermeel threatened the girl with rape, abduction and murder if she didn’t comply with his requests.

The girl eventually reached out for help through Kids Helpline, who helped her report the alleged abuse to her family and police.

Vandermeel was arrested on Wednesday at Safety Beach, around 30 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour, and charged with multiple child sex abuse offences, including using a device to engage in sexual activity with a child, to groom a child under 16 years old for sex and to cause a child to commit a sexual act.

He was formally refused bail at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday.

Vandermeel is allegedly part of a growing trend of “sadistic sexploitation”, a deviation of typical sextortion cases where instead of grooming the child for financial gain, the victims are being used for the offender’s own personal gratification.

Sex crimes squad commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty described the alleged offending as “the most horrendous acts that anyone can perform against a child”.

“For investigators to sit and read almost nine months of conversations where this man is manipulating and coercing this child to commit violent acts against themselves, filming them for him. It breaks your soul a little bit,” she said.

“Yesterday, we arrested a monster.”

In September federal police issued a warning to parents over the rise in “sadistic sextortion” online with some offenders around the world forcing children to engage in specific live sex acts, animal cruelty, serious self-harm, and even live online suicide.

“Warning signs children may be engaging in harmful activity online may include increased screen-time on computers or phones, isolating themselves from friends and family or being secretive about who they are interacting with online,” AFP Commander of Human Exploitation and the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation Helen Schneider said.

If parents discover their child is a victim of this practice, they should immediately stop the chat, take screenshots of the messages and the profile, and report the crime to police.

If you are a young person in need of help contact Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.

https://kidshelpline.com.au/

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/how-a-monster-allegedly-used-popular-gaming-platform-for-sadistic-sextortion-plot-20241017-p5kj4y.html

https://thenightly.com.au/australia/police/coffs-harbour-man-arrested-for-allegedly-grooming-15-year-old-girl-and-threatening-sadistic-sextortion-c-16420129

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-nsw/safety-beach-man-28-charged-with-sadistic-sextortion-of-girl-aged-15/news-story/f34e7b91f08dd0f64b5484795f2cd883

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21803674 (210920ZOCT24) Notable: Video: Lidia Thorpe disrupts King Charles’ reception to yell, ‘you are not my king!’ - A protest over Indigenous rights has disrupted a parliamentary reception for King Charles III and Queen Camilla after Victorian independent senator Lidia Thorpe told the monarch he was not her king. Thorpe strode up the central aisle of the Great Hall of Parliament House wearing a possum-skin cloak after the King’s address to the reception to tell him she did not accept his sovereignty. The Victorian senator was standing at the rear of the assembled guests during the ceremonial welcome for the King and the speeches by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. When King Charles III came to the end of his address and went to take his seat on the podium, Thorpe strode up the central aisle of the Great Hall to demand a treaty with Indigenous Australians. “You are not our king. You are not sovereign,” she called out. “You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us - our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want treaty.” King Charles spoke quietly with Albanese as they sat on the podium while security officials stopped Thorpe and escorted her out of the Great Hall.

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>>>/qresearch/21789113

Lidia Thorpe disrupts King Charles’ reception to yell, ‘you are not my king!’

David Crowe - October 21, 2024

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A protest over Indigenous rights has disrupted a parliamentary reception for King Charles III and Queen Camilla after Victorian independent senator Lidia Thorpe told the monarch he was not her king.

Thorpe strode up the central aisle of the Great Hall of Parliament House wearing a possum-skin cloak after the King’s address to the reception to tell him she did not accept his sovereignty.

The Victorian senator was standing at the rear of the assembled guests during the ceremonial welcome for the King and the speeches by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

When King Charles III came to the end of his address and went to take his seat on the podium, Thorpe strode up the central aisle of the Great Hall to demand a treaty with Indigenous Australians.

“You are not our king. You are not sovereign,” she called out.

“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us — our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want treaty.”

King Charles spoke quietly with Albanese as they sat on the podium while security officials stopped Thorpe and escorted her out of the Great Hall.

Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds said she had been standing next to Thorpe in the room and tried to block any disruption because she had suspected the Indigenous senator would call out during the proceedings.

“I knew she was going to do something but I thought she would do it when the King walked past at the end,” she said.

Thorpe appeared to take security officials by surprise by moving outside the areas cordoned off for the invited guests.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott, who attended the event, expressed his dismay at the protest.

“It’s unfortunate political exhibitionism, that’s all I’d say,” he said after the event.

Another of the guests, Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne, was highly critical of Thorpe for disrupting the reception.

“I was absolutely amazed that she got through the door,” he said. “That was uncalled for and un-Australian.”

Payne, who was awarded the highest military honour for his service in Vietnam, was one of the guests who spoke with the King as the royal couple left the reception.

But another guest, businessman Dick Smith, said the disruption was an aspect of Australian democracy.

“I think that’s the wonderful part of our democracy – that she’s not going to be put in jail,” he said.

Smith has known the King for many years, beginning with a meeting in 1982 when Smith landed his helicopter on the grounds of Balmoral Castle in the United Kingdom.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21803688 (210927ZOCT24) Notable: West Australian paedophile Dennis McKenna denied parole - One of Australia's most prolific child sex offenders has been denied an early release on parole. Dennis John McKenna, 79, abused dozens of boys from 1977 to 1990 at a student's boarding lodge in the West Australian town of Katanning. The Prisoners Review Board on Monday declined his bid for parole - two years ahead of his prison term ending. The board has said it would not make the reasons for the refusal of parole public for the best interests of McKenna's victims. Survivor Todd Jefferis praised the decision to reject parole. Mr Jefferis said McKenna should never be released, let alone allowed out on parole early, because of the severity of his crimes. "They were the most heinous crimes you can imagine committed against children," Mr Jefferis said. Mr Jefferis said he wrote a response to the board urging its decision makers not to release McKenna early. "We put in our submissions, and we campaigned pretty hard," he said. "Sometimes these people get it wrong … in this case, they've got it right, they've got it very right." McKenna's abuse sparked a state inquiry in 2012 which suggested more than 20 community figures ignored complaints or failed to act. His brother, Neil McKenna, was the senior supervisor from 1985-1990. He was found guilty in 2012 of three offences against a female student. The WA government announced in August that the hostel he managed, now called Katanning Residential College, would be demolished.

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>>241046 (pb)

West Australian paedophile Dennis McKenna denied parole

Jamie Thannoo - 21 October 2024

One of Australia's most prolific child sex offenders has been denied an early release on parole.

Dennis John McKenna, 79, abused dozens of boys from 1977 to 1990 at a student's boarding lodge in the West Australian town of Katanning.

The Prisoners Review Board on Monday declined his bid for parole — two years ahead of his prison term ending.

The board has said it would not make the reasons for the refusal of parole public for the best interests of McKenna's victims.

Survivors who campaigned against his release said McKenna should never be freed from prison.

Decision praised

McKenna has been in prison for more than 20 years for abusing 28 boys while working as a warden at the St Andrew's Hostel in Katanning.

He was found guilty in 1991 of 19 offences, and was convicted for more offences in 2011 and 2015.

Victims had been told by the Department of Justice that the board was required to consider releasing McKenna.

Survivor Todd Jefferis praised the decision to reject parole.

Mr Jefferis said McKenna should never be released, let alone allowed out on parole early, because of the severity of his crimes.

"They were the most heinous crimes you can imagine committed against children," Mr Jefferis said.

Mr Jefferis said he wrote a response to the board urging its decision makers not to release McKenna early.

"We put in our submissions, and we campaigned pretty hard," he said.

"Sometimes these people get it wrong … in this case, they've got it right, they've got it very right."

Right to appeal

McKenna's abuse sparked a state inquiry in 2012 which suggested more than 20 community figures ignored complaints or failed to act.

His brother, Neil McKenna, was the senior supervisor from 1985-1990.

He was found guilty in 2012 of three offences against a female student.

The WA government announced in August that the hostel he managed, now called Katanning Residential College, would be demolished.

According to an email to victims from the Victim Notification Board, McKenna may appeal the decision or apply for parole again if circumstances change.

McKenna's sentence is due to end in in late 2026.

He will be automatically reviewed for parole six months before the end of the sentence.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-21/paedophile-dennis-mckenna-denied-parole-wa/104497728

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21803697 (210932ZOCT24) Notable: Julian Assange’s dad thanks Putin for his ‘support’ - The father of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says he’s grateful to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the long-standing support of his son amid his ongoing “persecution” by Western authorities. John Shipton, who arrived in Moscow on Sunday ahead of the BRICS international summit, told Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti that Putin was “the first head of state to defend Julian’s interests as a publisher and a citizen” in 2012. He said Putin’s support came as his son was receiving “every smearing lie and calumny that the institutions of state and those hangers-on in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia could deliver upon his head.” “Putin defended his interests as a publisher and journalist. For that, I extend my affection to your president. And my thanks,” he said. Shipton is in the country at the invitation of Russian journalist Mira Terada, co-chair of the BRICS Journalists’ Association. The BRICS is an alliance started by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Shipton also praised controversial populist, pro-Russian European leaders - Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Slovakia’s Robert Fico – and warned of the dangers of information control and the role of “colour revolutions” in destabilising several former Soviet nations. Shipton claimed non-government organisations and news agencies, news publishers and journalists were being heavily influenced by the United States government to attempt to undermine the cohesion of the state.

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>>241062 (pb)

>>241063 (pb)

Julian Assange’s dad thanks Putin for his ‘support’

Rob Harris - October 21, 2024

London: The father of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says he’s grateful to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the long-standing support of his son amid his ongoing “persecution” by Western authorities.

John Shipton, who arrived in Moscow on Sunday ahead of the BRICS international summit, told Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti that Putin was “the first head of state to defend Julian’s interests as a publisher and a citizen” in 2012.

He said Putin’s support came as his son was receiving “every smearing lie and calumny that the institutions of state and those hangers-on in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia could deliver upon his head.”

“Putin defended his interests as a publisher and journalist. For that, I extend my affection to your president. And my thanks,” he said.

Shipton is in the country at the invitation of Russian journalist Mira Terada, co-chair of the BRICS Journalists’ Association. The BRICS is an alliance started by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Shipton also praised controversial populist, pro-Russian European leaders – Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Slovakia’s Robert Fico – and warned of the dangers of information control and the role of “colour revolutions” in destabilising several former Soviet nations.

Shipton claimed non-government organisations and news agencies, news publishers and journalists were being heavily influenced by the United States government to attempt to undermine the cohesion of the state.

“So we can see clearly what can be done to a state by controlling the information that people get through a series of colour revolutions, which happens next door to Russia in Ukraine and almost happened in Belarus, almost happened in Kazakhstan, almost happened in Georgia and so on,” he said.

Shipton, 80, said he was elated to finally be able to hug his son this year after Assange’s release from five years in a high-security British prison after a plea deal with the US Justice Department. Assange pleaded guilty and was convicted of obtaining and publishing military secrets, including details of US wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Shipton said his son was in good health now and was “repairing himself”, with his children “teaching him how to be a parent”.

Shipton, who describes himself as an anti-war activist, has been accused of being an apologist for the Putin regime. He attended a pro-Russian rally after the invasion of Ukraine, but said he was only there to speak about his son.

He also faced heavy criticism in 2013 when he led a WikiLeaks Party delegation to Syria to meet dictator Bashar al-Assad, and to hold talks with a number of high-ranking Syrian officials.

Assange has also been accused of colluding with Russia, where public opinion of him soured after the 2016 US election, when WikiLeaks published a trove of emails related to Hillary Clinton. US intelligence officials later said the emails were passed along to Assange by Russian military intelligence operatives. Whether Assange knowingly conspired with Russian intelligence remains an open question.

Shipton said he agreed with the assessment of former US independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who criticised the plea deal Assange had to take. Kennedy branded it a “big blow to freedom of the press”.

“The US, in its pursuit of those that it does not like, is clearly quite ruthless and vindictive,” Shipton said.

“I imagine if not for the intercession of the Australian government, the Australian people and the Australian parliament, if not for that intercession [which made the plea deal possible], Julian would not have survived.”

In a separate interview with Russian television network RT, Shipton said he hoped to “offer the hand of friendship between myself and the Russian people” during his visit.

“It is only through peace between the West and Russia … that the world can live in some sort of harmony without the constant fear of destruction by atomic weapons,” he said.

https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/julian-assange-s-dad-thanks-putin-for-his-support-20241021-p5kjvr.html

https://www.rt.com/shows/rt-interview/605993-shipton-assange-father-moscow-visit/

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21803724 (210954ZOCT24) Notable: Stella Assange Tweet - My father-in-law John Shipton does not speak for my husband. As anyone who has followed Julian already knows, Julian believes in extreme skepticism when it comes to all states with large intelligence sectors, who have committed war crimes, engaged in censorship, or sought to imprison or assassinate journalists. Our family is culturally and politically diverse and dinners are sometimes… interesting! #InterestingFamilyDinners #LoveConquersAll

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>>276918

Sputnik Tweet

BIG NEWS: ASSANGE’S FATHER EXTENDS GRATITUDE TO PUTIN FOR DEFENDING HIS SON IN 2012

John Shipton, Julian Assange's father, has thanked President Vladimir Putin, noting that in 2012, Putin was the first head of state to defend Assange’s rights as a publisher and journalist. At a time when Assange faced relentless smears from the US, UK, and Australia, Shipton acknowledged Putin's support.

"For that, I extend my affection to your president," he told Sputnik.

Shipton, founder of Australia's now-defunct Wikileaks Party, arrived in Moscow on Saturday night at the invitation of the BRICS Journalists Association and its co-chair Mira Terada, a human rights advocate and publicist.

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1847968495348122028

Assange’s Father: Vladimir Putin Became First World Leader to Defend Julian’s Interests

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241020/assanges-father-vladimir-putin-became-first-world-leader-to-defend-julians-interests-1120609958.html

—

Stella Assange Tweet

My father-in-law John Shipton does not speak for my husband. As anyone who has followed Julian already knows, Julian believes in extreme skepticism when it comes to all states with large intelligence sectors, who have committed war crimes, engaged in censorship, or sought to imprison or assassinate journalists. Our family is culturally and politically diverse and dinners are sometimes… interesting! #InterestingFamilyDinners #LoveConquersAll

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai34Uxnv_4s

https://x.com/Stella_Assange/status/1848260655796679162

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21809135 (220812ZOCT24) Notable: Australia strikes $7bn US deal to bolster its missile and air defence - Australia will spend $7bn over the decade to revolutionise its air and missile defence systems under a new agreement with the United States aimed at countering China’s recent investments in anti-ship ballistic missile technologies while strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy made the announcement overnight on Monday (AEDT) at the Australian embassy in Washington DC after stopovers in the UK and Belgium, declaring it represented a “revolutionary” step up in Australia’s defence capability. Under the new arrangement - already approved by Congress – Australia will acquire the Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC (SM2 IIIC) and Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) to boost the long-range capability of the Navy’s surface combatant fleet. The Australian government says the new missile acquisitions will hand the nation some of the most advanced air and missile defence weapons in the world. The plan is for the new missiles to be deployed progressively across the Navy’s three Hobart class destroyers and planned six Hunter class frigates. However, no time line has been given for when the new missiles will be deployed on Australian warships with Mr Conroy saying he could not do so for “operational reasons.”

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Australia strikes $7bn US deal to bolster its missile and air defence

JOE KELLY - 22 October 2024

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Australia will spend $7bn over the decade to revolutionise its air and missile defence systems under a new agreement with the United States aimed at countering China’s recent investments in anti-ship ballistic missile technologies while strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy made the announcement overnight on Monday (AEDT) at the Australian embassy in Washington DC after stopovers in the UK and Belgium, declaring it represented a “revolutionary” step up in Australia’s defence capability.

Under the new arrangement – already approved by Congress – Australia will acquire the Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC (SM2 IIIC) and Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) to boost the long-range capability of the Navy’s surface combatant fleet.

The Australian government says the new missile acquisitions will hand the nation some of the most advanced air and missile defence weapons in the world. The plan is for the new missiles to be deployed progressively across the Navy’s three Hobart class destroyers and planned six Hunter class frigates.

However, no time line has been given for when the new missiles will be deployed on Australian warships with Mr Conroy saying he could not do so for “operational reasons.”

“Australia is facing the most contested geostrategic environment since the Second World War. Our relationships with allies and partners are critical,” he said. “In Washington DC, I’m meeting with US officials and industry leaders to progress efforts to strengthen our relationship and deepen our collaboration on the defence industry.”

“This is a $7bn investment in protecting Australia against modern and evolving missile threats,” he said. “These are state of the art long range missiles. In fact, they are the best air defence missiles in the world.”

Mr Conroy said Australia was the first country other than the United States to test fire an SM-6 missile, “underscoring the strength of our relationship,” and argued the new missiles would give the Australian Navy the “increased lethality the government has promised.”

Last year’s Defence Strategic Review that Australia nation could no longer rely on its remoteness for protection, and that the ADF needed to be “urgently” provided with a “layered air and missile defence capability”.

It said the ADF must have the capacity to “deter through denial any adversary’s attempt to project power against Australia through our northern approaches.”

Mr Conroy said Australia had already “briefed countries in our region about what was in the National Defence Strategy”, arguing that “people were expecting this announcement.”

Currently, the Royal Australian Navy has two missiles available to it including the Evolved Sea Sparrow (ESSM) – a short range missile that can defend against incoming missiles and aircraft. The ESSM is used by the ANZAC-class frigates.

The three Hobart-class air warfare destroyers also use the ESSM along with an earlier version of the SM-2 missile.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21809147 (220824ZOCT24) Notable: US is on track to sell Virginia-class subs to Australia, says AUKUS supporter Joe Courtney - US congressman Joe Courtney says Washington is not pursuing an AUKUS “Plan B” whereby America would operate Virginia-class submarines out of WA instead of selling them to Canberra, warning this would see Australia effectively “conceding control over the undersea domain.” The alternative “Plan B” proposal is contained in a paper prepared for members and committees of Congress by Ronald O’Rourke, a highly regarded specialist who has worked as a naval analyst for the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress since 1984 when Ronald Reagan was still US President. Mr Courtney, the co-chair of the bipartisan AUKUS working group, said that while Mr O’Rourke was seen as a “treasure” to the US Congress he was “not infallible” and his alternative plan would involve a “pretty radical” restructure of Australia’s military force. Under the O’Rourke model - which his CRS paper labels a US/Australian “military division of labour” – up to eight extra Virginia-class submarines would be operated out of Australia by the US Navy and used for both US and Australian missions. This in turn would free up billions of dollars for Canberra to spend on other capabilities apart from submarines such as “long-range anti-ship missiles, drones, loitering munitions, B-21 long-range bombers, or other strike aircraft.” However, Mr Courtney said the O’Rourke plan would come with major downsides for Canberra. “I don’t think the AUKUS plan really contemplated Australia conceding control over the undersea domain,” he said. “That sort of jumps out.” “Having a division of labour where the US pretty much operates the attack submarines exclusively pretty much puts Australia - at least eventually – out of the submarine business once the Collins-class are retired.”

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>>276900

>>276905

US is on track to sell Virginia-class subs to Australia, says AUKUS supporter Joe Courtney

JOE KELLY - 22 October 2024

US congressman Joe Courtney says Washington is not pursuing an AUKUS “Plan B” whereby America would operate Virginia-class submarines out of WA instead of selling them to Canberra, warning this would see Australia effectively “conceding control over the undersea domain.”

The alternative “Plan B” proposal is contained in a paper prepared for members and committees of Congress by Ronald O’Rourke, a highly regarded specialist who has worked as a naval analyst for the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress since 1984 when Ronald Reagan was still US President.

Mr Courtney, the co-chair of the bipartisan AUKUS working group, said that while Mr O’Rourke was seen as a “treasure” to the US Congress he was “not infallible” and his alternative plan would involve a “pretty radical” restructure of Australia’s military force.

Under the O’Rourke model – which his CRS paper labels a US/Australian “military division of labour” – up to eight extra Virginia-class submarines would be operated out of Australia by the US Navy and used for both US and Australian missions.

This in turn would free up billions of dollars for Canberra to spend on other capabilities apart from submarines such as “long-range anti-ship missiles, drones, loitering munitions, B-21 long-range bombers, or other strike aircraft.”

However, Mr Courtney said the O’Rourke plan would come with major downsides for Canberra. “I don’t think the AUKUS plan really contemplated Australia conceding control over the undersea domain,” he said. “That sort of jumps out.”

“Having a division of labour where the US pretty much operates the attack submarines exclusively pretty much puts Australia – at least eventually – out of the submarine business once the Collins-class are retired.”

Mr Courtney represents the second district of Connecticut which includes the town of Groton, known as the “submarine capital of the world.” Groton is home to General Dynamics Electric Boat – the major submarine contractor for the US Navy – as well as the primary US submarine east-coast base, Naval Submarine Base New London.

He said he was unaware of any discussion in congress regarding the O’Rourke proposal, arguing that there had already been a “vigorous debate about the notion of selling Virginia-class submarines” to Australia.

“The US Navy, along with the help from the US embassy, really comprehensively overcame any second thoughts or doubts about doing that,” Mr Courtney said. “I think, by the end of the day, the AUKUS effort was very popular on both sides of the aisle.”

Key off-ramps are contained in the AUKUS submarine authorisations which passed the US congress in December, requiring the US President to certify the transfer of any future boats to Australia.

Under the arrangements, the President can veto a transfer if he believes it would degrade US undersea capabilities or if America was making insufficient investments in its own military capabilities.

But Mr Courtney provided an assurance that “the industrial base is going to grow.”

“There’s just no question,” he told The Australian. “If you look at the amount of money that Congress has appropriated already – going back to 2019 – I would argue this is evidence of the success of those investments.”

In order for the US industrial base to replace the submarines sold to Australia, it must increase the production of Virginia-class boats to a rate of 2.33 per year. Mr Courtney said that by the end of 2025 or 2026 America would be “closing fast in terms of (a) 2.0 Virginia production rate.”

“So I think that’s all evidence that, by the time 2032 rolls around and whenever the US President decides to make a decision on the certification, I think those off-ramps, those preconditions are going to be strongly dealt with.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/us-is-on-track-to-sell-virginiaclass-subs-to-australia-aukus-supporter-joe-courtney/news-story/3ac5f98b7541d1a71b6ddc11ac54be6d

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21809164 (220835ZOCT24) Notable: #TheGreatAwakening:One Nation candidates are posting conspiracy theories about QAnon and man-made storms on social media- Three One Nation candidates in the Queensland election have posted conspiracy theories to social media, including one posting about the QAnon movement. One Nation candidate for the Gold Coast seat of Southport, David Vaughan, posted to Facebook on May 13 with a caption signed off as "Q" and hashtags including "The Great Awakening", "NCSWIC" and "Future Proves Past", all terms used by the movement's followers. QAnon followers broadly believe a Satanic paedophilic cabal controls governments, businesses, and the media. The acronym NCSWIC stands for Nothing Can Stop What Is Coming, referring to the belief the cabal will soon be arrested. Mr Vaughan has also made posts to Facebook about weather manipulation. Callum Whatmore, who is running in the seat of Waterford in Logan, has also posted about weather manipulation. Mr Whatmore posted a video on October 5, which he captioned "Deliberate?", suggesting Hurricane Helena hit the US state of North Carolina because of human interference to access "billions of dollars of lithium" underground. "Is this a coincidence that hurricane Helena destroyed all that area? This is the outcome of a well-orchestrated, man-made disaster, weather modification and geoengineering," part of the video said. He declined to comment when contacted by the ABC.

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One Nation candidates are posting conspiracy theories about QAnon and man-made storms on social media

Alex Brewster - 22 October 2024

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Three One Nation candidates in the Queensland election have posted conspiracy theories to social media, including one posting about the QAnon movement.

One Nation candidate for the Gold Coast seat of Southport, David Vaughan, posted to Facebook on May 13 with a caption signed off as "Q" and hashtags including "The Great Awakening", "NCSWIC" and "Future Proves Past", all terms used by the movement's followers.

QAnon followers broadly believe a Satanic paedophilic cabal controls governments, businesses, and the media.

The acronym NCSWIC stands for Nothing Can Stop What Is Coming, referring to the belief the cabal will soon be arrested.

Mr Vaughan has also made posts to Facebook about weather manipulation.

Callum Whatmore, who is running in the seat of Waterford in Logan, has also posted about weather manipulation.

Mr Whatmore posted a video on October 5, which he captioned "Deliberate?", suggesting Hurricane Helena hit the US state of North Carolina because of human interference to access "billions of dollars of lithium" underground.

"Is this a coincidence that hurricane Helena destroyed all that area? This is the outcome of a well-orchestrated, man-made disaster, weather modification and geoengineering," part of the video said.

He declined to comment when contacted by the ABC.

Mr Vaughan shared a video on weather manipulation on Facebook in March 2022, captioning it "War".

Mr Vaughan did not directly respond to questions about his social media activity.

"I would encourage you to focus on the driving points of this election, in what matters most to the people of Southport and Queensland," he said.

Scott Philip, One Nation candidate for Bonney on the Gold Coast, has posted about another conspiracy theory known as chemtrails.

Chemtrails refer to vapour trails left in the sky by aircraft, correctly known as contrails, which are not dangerous.

On September 6, Mr Philip shared a YouTube video about a prediction by American conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

The video, from disgraced Hollywood actor Russell Brand, talks about toxins and heavy metal chemicals in the air resulting from chemtrails causing "curious new conditions" in children.

"US government talking about stratospheric injection (chemtrails) yet another confirmed conspiracy theory. Keep looking up they'll start here in Queensland again soon," the caption from Mr Philip read.

All the posts have been deleted or had their viewing permissions changed since the ABC put questions to the party and each candidate.

One Nation declined to comment, and Mr Philip did not respond to questions from the ABC.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21809192 (220854ZOCT24) Notable: US Election 2024:Donald Trump is utterly unworthy of the presidency but Kamala Harris underwhelms- "The US presidential election is the most consequential in living memory yet it remains effectively tied, with neither Vice President Kamala Harris nor former president Donald Trump with a commanding polling lead in the popular vote or seven key battleground states, underscoring just how polarised and divided Americans are. Make no mistake, Trump is an utterly unworthy presidential candidate and a truly appalling and despicable person. He was found guilty on 34 criminal counts of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, found liable for sexual assault and defamation of E. Jean Carroll in a civil case, and twice impeached by the House of Representatives. Trump has spoken of terminating the constitution and being a dictator, turning the military against citizens, executing generals, shutting down media organisations, jailing opponents and putting former officials on trial, and pardoning more than 1000 people convicted over the Capitol riot. If this is not enough, what should persuade Americans not to return Trump to power is character. He has boasted about sexually assaulting women, made fun of people with disabilities, accused migrants of eating dogs and cats, called Harris “retarded”, insisted Obama was not born in the US, promised to “lock up” Hillary Clinton, and dismissed many who worked for him as “dumb” and “stupid” and “traitors” to their country. His mental decline, risk to global security and the economy, repeated criminality and danger to democracy make him unfit to be president. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2019-23), told Bob Woodward for his new book that Trump was a fascist. “No one has ever been as dangerous to this country,” Milley said. Think about that. I hope Americans do." - Troy Bramston, senior writer with The Australian - theaustralian.com.au - https://qresear.ch/?q=Troy+Bramston

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>>276798

Donald Trump is utterly unworthy of the presidency but Kamala Harris underwhelms

TROY BRAMSTON, SENIOR WRITER - 22 October 2024

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The US presidential election is the most consequential in living memory yet it remains effectively tied, with neither Vice President Kamala Harris nor former president Donald Trump with a commanding polling lead in the popular vote or seven key battleground states, underscoring just how polarised and divided Americans are.

With just 15 days until election day, there is hardly a voter who has not made up their mind about who they would vote for. Some polls show just 2-5 per cent of voters are undecided. But are they actual voters? Among actual voters, the proportion who have not made up their mind is likely to be much smaller. The contest is all but baked.

The key issue is turnout. Can Harris hold together the same coalition of voters that elected Joe Biden and Barack Obama, and also persuade “country club Republicans” repulsed by Trump to either vote for her or stay home and not vote for him? Or can Trump win over reluctant Republicans and appeal to Democratic voters grumpy with the Biden-Harris administration to not vote for her or vote for him?

Make no mistake, Trump is an utterly unworthy presidential candidate and a truly appalling and despicable person. He was found guilty on 34 criminal counts of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, found liable for sexual assault and defamation of E. Jean Carroll in a civil case, and twice impeached by the House of Representatives.

After losing the 2020 election, Trump refused to accept the outcome. This undermined faith in the democratic process. He then worked overtime to overturn the election result and sought to persuade his vice-president, Mike Pence, not to certify the electoral college vote. Trump incited the riot at the US Capitol that resulted in death and destruction. He has contempt for the rule of law and democracy, and would seek to use authoritarian powers if re-elected.

Trump has spoken of terminating the constitution and being a dictator, turning the military against citizens, executing generals, shutting down media organisations, jailing opponents and putting former officials on trial, and pardoning more than 1000 people convicted over the Capitol riot.

If this is not enough, what should persuade Americans not to return Trump to power is character. He has boasted about sexually assaulting women, made fun of people with disabilities, accused migrants of eating dogs and cats, called Harris “retarded”, insisted Obama was not born in the US, promised to “lock up” Hillary Clinton, and dismissed many who worked for him as “dumb” and “stupid” and “traitors” to their country.

He is, as I have noted, a braggart and a bully, who defames and ridicules people, makes up juvenile names, use demagoguery and hucksterism to appeal to people with promises he cannot keep, trades on grievance, envy and xenophobia, appealing to the worst instincts in Americans. He has become increasingly unhinged, with cognitive decline evident.

Trump would risk global security with his cosy relationships with dictators Kim Jong-un, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. He blamed Volodymyr Zelensky for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and questioned US support for the imperilled country. He also questioned whether the US would defend Taiwan against Chinese invasion, saying they should pay more for defence.

He has no respect for alliances. His national security adviser, John Bolton, says he would withdraw from NATO. He exited the Paris climate accords and Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. There is no guarantee he would support AUKUS as currently negotiated. His 10 per cent tariff on all imports would spark a trade war, with Australia being collateral damage.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21814558 (230834ZOCT24) Notable: The Trump effect instils anxiety in Labor ranks - "Anthony Albanese’s signature climate change, economic, trade, foreign and national security policies face being up-ended if Donald Trump wins the November 5 election. The Prime Minister has tied much of Australia’s investment priorities and approach to international relations with Joe Biden’s view of the world. Under a second Trump presidency, a prospect that sends shivers down the spines of Labor MPs, the world order would be reshaped. With Trump and Kamala Harris neck-and-neck in the White House race a fortnight from election day, the probability of Albanese and his ambassador Kevin Rudd having to work with a Republican administration is growing. Behind the scenes, Australian officials are scrambling to assess what a Trump administration could mean for the Paris Agreement, Israel’s war with Iranian-proxy terror groups, Biden’s clean energy-focused Inflation Reduction Act, AUKUS nuclear submarines, Beijing relations in the event of a US-China trade war, the Quad and broader protectionism amid ongoing Middle East and Ukraine conflicts. Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has flagged Australia’s 2035 emissions-reduction target, which will be informed by Climate Change Authority advice, could be delayed beyond February and potentially until after the next election. The delay is linked to whether Trump wins and overhauls US climate change and energy policy. Albanese’s overt wooing of Xi Jinping and Chinese officials, which has stoked concerns inside the Biden administration, will likely come under pressure if Trump returns. With Trump making clear he is focused on strengthening domestic security, how committed will he be to Biden’s Indo-Pacific shift and countering China’s regional influence in the South Pacific?" - Geoff Chambers - theaustralian.com.au

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>>276923

The Trump effect instils anxiety in Labor ranks

GEOFF CHAMBERS - 23 October 2024

Anthony Albanese’s signature climate change, economic, trade, foreign and national security policies face being up-ended if Donald Trump wins the November 5 election.

The Prime Minister has tied much of Australia’s investment priorities and approach to international relations with Joe Biden’s view of the world.

Under a second Trump presidency, a prospect that sends shivers down the spines of Labor MPs, the world order would be reshaped. With Trump and Kamala Harris neck-and-neck in the White House race a fortnight from election day, the probability of Albanese and his ambassador Kevin Rudd having to work with a Republican administration is growing.

Jim Chalmers’ visit to Washington DC comes at a critical point. The Treasurer, considered a future Labor leader, will have a unique opportunity to gather intel on the ground while exchanging notes with the world’s top economic minds at a time of great uncertainty.

Chalmers – who will have high-level meetings coinciding with annual G20, IMF and World Bank gatherings – recently revealed Treasury was undertaking scenario modelling to assess potential impacts of a Trump administration on the Australian economy.

Behind the scenes, Australian officials are scrambling to assess what a Trump administration could mean for the Paris Agreement, Israel’s war with Iranian-proxy terror groups, Biden’s clean energy-focused Inflation Reduction Act, AUKUS nuclear submarines, Beijing relations in the event of a US-China trade war, the Quad and broader protectionism amid ongoing Middle East and Ukraine conflicts.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has flagged Australia’s 2035 emissions-reduction target, which will be informed by Climate Change Authority advice, could be delayed beyond February and potentially until after the next election. The delay is linked to whether Trump wins and overhauls US climate change and energy policy.

In typical Trump fashion, he is keeping his cards close to his chest. Dealing with a Republican-led government compared with the Biden administration would test Albanese’s foreign policy credentials months from a federal election. After replacing Barack Obama, Trump famously lambasted a US-Australia refugee resettlement agreement as a “dumb deal” following a tense 2017 phone call with then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. It is hard to imagine Rudd – who previously described Trump as “nuts”, a “traitor to the West” and “the most destructive president in history” – would stick around long or be capable of forging a relationship with the 78-year-old as his predecessor Joe Hockey did.

Albanese’s overt wooing of Xi Jinping and Chinese officials, which has stoked concerns inside the Biden administration, will likely come under pressure if Trump returns. With Trump making clear he is focused on strengthening domestic security, how committed will he be to Biden’s Indo-Pacific shift and countering China’s regional influence in the South Pacific?

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/the-trump-effect-instils-anxiety-in-labor-ranks/news-story/09370d8f49ec64dfc23108d22ba262b2

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21814588 (230903ZOCT24) Notable: Video: Neo-Nazis pepper-sprayed after attempting to disrupt refugee rally - Neo-Nazis who tried to disrupt refugee protesters’ 100th night demonstrating outside the Department of Home Affairs in Docklands were pushed back by police who doused them with pepper spray. Police dispersed a black-clothed and balaclava-clad group near a refugee encampment on Tuesday night, sending them running as demonstrators cheered. Neo-Nazis had already disrupted the encampment twice since it began in July, according to the Tamil Refugee Council. Designated “spotters” saw about 20 men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas approach the demonstration about 6pm. Refugee Action Collective spokesperson David Glanz said the men stood next to the rally and chanted “white power” and “hail victory”, and that refugee protesters moved to block their path in response. A row of police officers, arms linked, advanced on the neo-Nazis, forcing them to retreat. Several police officers then surged forward dispensing pepper spray, while the rest of the officers formed a physical barrier separating the neo-Nazis from the refugee group, who continued to chant and bang drums. The neo-Nazis returned and there was a standoff in a park for a short while - some brandished a banner that read “f-ck off we’re full” – before they left for the final time. Victoria Police confirmed there were no arrests nor any reported injuries at the event, which was attended by about 300 refugee demonstrators. “It is understood a group of about 20 people attended the rally just before 6pm,” said a police spokesperson. “Officers formed a line to separate the two groups before they [police officers] were forced to deploy OC [pepper] spray. “Police will assess the circumstances surrounding the demonstration and review vision of the incident and people involved.”

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>>276796

Neo-Nazis pepper-sprayed after attempting to disrupt refugee rally

Cassandra Morgan - October 22, 2024

Neo-Nazis who tried to disrupt refugee protesters’ 100th night demonstrating outside the Department of Home Affairs in Docklands were pushed back by police who doused them with pepper spray.

Police dispersed a black-clothed and balaclava-clad group near a refugee encampment on Tuesday night, sending them running as demonstrators cheered.

Neo-Nazis had already disrupted the encampment twice since it began in July, according to the Tamil Refugee Council. Designated “spotters” saw about 20 men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas approach the demonstration about 6pm.

Refugee Action Collective spokesperson David Glanz said the men stood next to the rally and chanted “white power” and “hail victory”, and that refugee protesters moved to block their path in response.

A row of police officers, arms linked, advanced on the neo-Nazis, forcing them to retreat. Several police officers then surged forward dispensing pepper spray, while the rest of the officers formed a physical barrier separating the neo-Nazis from the refugee group, who continued to chant and bang drums.

The neo-Nazis returned and there was a standoff in a park for a short while – some brandished a banner that read “f-ck off we’re full” – before they left for the final time.

The group was later seen at Kirrip Park in South Melbourne, removing their balaclavas and black clothing and appearing to clean themselves up.

“In the end, the police essentially pushed them away,” Glanz said.

“Our rally continued. It was a real festival of resistance, celebrating the incredible sacrifice that refugees have made with 100 days of round-the-clock encampment.”

Victoria Police confirmed there were no arrests nor any reported injuries at the event, which was attended by about 300 refugee demonstrators.

“It is understood a group of about 20 people attended the rally just before 6pm,” said a police spokesperson.

“Officers formed a line to separate the two groups before they [police officers] were forced to deploy OC [pepper] spray.

“Police will assess the circumstances surrounding the demonstration and review vision of the incident and people involved.”

The refugees and their supporters have been steadfast in their encampment outside the Department of Home Affairs office for months, demanding the federal government put an end to their “limbo” and approve permanent visas.

At the centre of the issue is an Abbott government policy from 2014 that retrospectively meant people who arrived in Australia by boat between August 2012 and July 2013 – before the introduction of offshore processing – would not be granted permanent residency in Australia.

The policy created a “fast-track” process for assessing refugee status, and those who were found to be refugees could only ever get temporary protection visas. About 30,000 people were affected.

Labor’s policy at the last election called for the fast-track system to be abolished and, when it came into government, it gave about 20,000 people with refugee status permanent visas.

But for about 8500 people who never went through the refugee-assessment interview, whose refugee status was denied, or who have been stuck in appeals processes, there has been no resolution.

The refugees at the encampment have been “in this state of limbo for more than 12 years”, Tamil Refugee Council spokesperson Aran Mylvaganam said.

“From the day we started the encampment, the refugees brought so much energy to the campaign. They’re really desperate for a resolution.

“When the Nazis turned up, there was a bit of disruption, but they were chased away, the energy was maintained, and people continued on with the rally.

“[But] it’s obviously a horrifying experience for a lot of refugees who’ve fled similar sorts of issues in their homeland … and they are fighting for their basic rights.”

Mylvaganam said the refugees at the encampment have been subjected to other racist attacks in addition to those by the neo-Nazis.

“My hand was dislocated as a result of a racist attack earlier in the encampment,” he said.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/neo-nazis-pepper-sprayed-after-attempting-to-disrupt-refugee-rally-20241022-p5kkh3.html

https://www.9news.com.au/national/neo-nazis-gatecrash-refugee-protest-melbourne/831dfbe0-924a-4364-8328-7fe853776964

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21819443 (240822ZOCT24) Notable: Video: China accuses Australia of ‘systemic racism and hate crimes’ as Xi meets Putin in Russia - China has accused Australia of “systemic racism and hate crimes” and “hypocrisy” after an Australian diplomat raised international concerns about human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet in the UN. In some of the sharpest comments launched at Canberra by Beijing during the “stabilisation” era, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Li Jian on Wednesday evening denounced Australia for criticising China publicly. “Out of their ideological bias, Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries stoked confrontation at multilateral platforms for their selfish political interest,” said the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, in response to an apparent dorothy dixer by China’s national broadcaster CCTV. “Australia, long plagued by systemic racism and hate crimes, have severely violated the rights of refugees and immigrants, and left Indigenous people with vulnerable living conditions,” the Chinese government spokesman continued. “Australian soldiers have committed abhorrent crimes in Afghanistan and other countries during their military operations overseas. “These Western countries turn a blind eye to their severe human rights issues at home but in the meantime point their fingers at other countries. This says a lot about their hypocrisy on human rights,” he said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s counterpunch followed accusations by China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong that Australia and its allies and partners were resorting “to lies to provoke confrontations.” Anthony Albanese said Australia had been “clear and consistent” with China in its concerns over Beijing’s human rights abuses. “We, of course, will always stand up for Australia’s interests. And when it comes to China, we’ve said we’ll cooperate where we can, we’ll disagree where we must, and we’ll engage in our national interest” Mr Albanese said at a press conference in Samoa on Thursday. “And we’ve raised issues of human rights with China. We’ve done that in a consistent and clear way,” the PM said.

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>>276897

>>276901

China accuses Australia of ‘systemic racism and hate crimes’ as Xi meets Putin in Russia

WILL GLASGOW - 24 October 2024

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China has accused Australia of “systemic racism and hate crimes” and “hypocrisy” after an Australian diplomat raised international concerns about human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet in the UN.

In some of the sharpest comments launched at Canberra by Beijing during the “stabilisation” era, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Li Jian on Wednesday evening denounced Australia for criticising China publicly.

“Out of their ideological bias, Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries stoked confrontation at multilateral platforms for their selfish political interest,” said the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, in response to an apparent dorothy dixer by China’s national broadcaster CCTV.

“Australia, long plagued by systemic racism and hate crimes, have severely violated the rights of refugees and immigrants, and left Indigenous people with vulnerable living conditions,” the Chinese government spokesman continued.

“Australian soldiers have committed abhorrent crimes in Afghanistan and other countries during their military operations overseas.

“These Western countries turn a blind eye to their severe human rights issues at home but in the meantime point their fingers at other countries. This says a lot about their hypocrisy on human rights,” he said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s counterpunch followed accusations by China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong that Australia and its allies and partners were resorting “to lies to provoke confrontations.”

Anthony Albanese said Australia had been “clear and consistent” with China in its concerns over Beijing’s human rights abuses.

“We, of course, will always stand up for Australia’s interests. And when it comes to China, we’ve said we’ll cooperate where we can, we’ll disagree where we must, and we’ll engage in our national interest” Mr Albanese said at a press conference in Samoa on Thursday.

“And we’ve raised issues of human rights with China. We’ve done that in a consistent and clear way,” the PM said.

Opposition foreign Affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said Australia’s ambassador to the UN had been “factual, balanced and considered”.

“Australia has acknowledged that none of us is perfect on human rights, yet that is what China pretends,” senator Birmingham said.

But he said the government’s words underscored that Foreign Minister Penny Wong had fallen “a long way short of delivering on the tough talk of sanctions” she made before the last election.

The diplomatic tussle comes as President Xi meets with Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan, a key plank in their shared efforts to increase China and Russia’s voices in the international system and reduce the clout of America and its allies.

The group’s original members include countries with strategic ties with America, such as India, and countries that are openly hostile to Washington, such as Russia.

Chinese state media has hailed the grouping, which it argues is reshaping the international system to give more clout to marginalised non-Western countries.

China’s official newsagency Xinhua noted that Xi had compared the five original members of the BRICS group, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, to the fingers of one hand.

“They are short and long if extended, but form a powerful fist if clenched together,” Xi reportedly said.

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21819455 (240828ZOCT24) Notable: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s Regular Press Conference on October 23, 2024 - Lin Jian: "On October 22, at the Third Committee of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan delivered a joint statement on behalf of 80 countries. They pointed out that issues related to Xinjiang and Xizang are China’s internal affairs. They spoke against the interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, and stood for abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and respecting the right of people of each state to choose independently the path for development fit for their national conditions. Promoting and protecting human rights is the common cause of humanity and requires the joint effort of the international community in solidarity. Out of their ideological bias, Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries stoked confrontation at multilateral platforms for their selfish political interest, which undermines international fairness and justice, and is by no means what the international community wants. Australia, long plagued by systemic racism and hate crimes, has severely violated the rights of refugees and immigrants, and left Indigenous people with vulnerable living conditions. Australian soldiers have committed abhorrent crimes in Afghanistan and other countries during their military operations overseas. We urge Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries to face up to and address their own severe human rights problems, stop the wrongful moves of politicizing human rights issues and using them as tools, and play a constructive role in international cooperation on human rights." - mfa.gov.cn

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>>276926

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian’s Regular Press Conference on October 23, 2024

CCTV: Recently at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, in response to the so-called concerns of Australia, the US and a handful of Western countries over issues related to Xinjiang and Xizang, over 100 countries voiced support for China in various ways and opposition to interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. What’s China’s comment?

Lin Jian: On October 22, at the Third Committee of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan delivered a joint statement on behalf of 80 countries. They pointed out that issues related to Xinjiang and Xizang are China’s internal affairs. They spoke against the interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, and stood for abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and respecting the right of people of each state to choose independently the path for development fit for their national conditions. Another 20 plus countries, by making statements either individually or collectively, expressed support for China and opposition to politicizing human rights issues and applying double standards. The fact that over 100 member states voiced their support for China’s just position demonstrates what the international community truly stands for and shows that the attempt of a handful of Western countries, including Australia and the US, to resort to political manipulation under the pretext of human rights will gain no support and will never succeed.

Promoting and protecting human rights is the common cause of humanity and requires the joint effort of the international community in solidarity. Out of their ideological bias, Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries stoked confrontation at multilateral platforms for their selfish political interest, which undermines international fairness and justice, and is by no means what the international community wants. Australia, long plagued by systemic racism and hate crimes, has severely violated the rights of refugees and immigrants, and left Indigenous people with vulnerable living conditions. Australian soldiers have committed abhorrent crimes in Afghanistan and other countries during their military operations overseas. The US and some Western countries have a bad track record in racism, gun violence, judicial injustice, wealth gap, abuse of force, unilateral sanction, and other issues. These Western countries turn a blind eye to their severe human rights issues at home but in the meantime point their fingers at other countries. This says a lot about their hypocrisy on human rights. We urge Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries to face up to and address their own severe human rights problems, stop the wrongful moves of politicizing human rights issues and using them as tools, and play a constructive role in international cooperation on human rights.

https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/lxjzh/202410/t20241023_11513371.html

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21819466 (240836ZOCT24) Notable: Chinese envoy criticizes Australia, US for 'double standards' on human rights, downplaying Gaza situation - "While Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries turn a blind eye to their severe human rights issues at home, in the meantime they point their fingers at other countries, which says a lot about their hypocrisy on human rights, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday, in response to over 100 countries who have voiced support for China in various ways and opposition to interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. Australia and the US, among a few others, reached new lows in their practice of "double standards" in front of the world, by downplaying the situation in Gaza, while smearing against China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region over human rights issues, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, at the Third Committee of the 79th session of the General Assembly, on Tuesday, according to the official website of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN. This reveals, once again, the true intentions of Australia and the US to use human rights as a pretext to interfere in China's internal affairs and curb its development, and to broadly suppress developing countries that adhere to an independent and autonomous foreign policy, Fu noted. It is clear to the whole world that China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Xizang Autonomous Region have remained stable and prosperous, where all ethnic groups live together in harmony. The so-called assessment report on Xinjiang is fraught with lies and deception. It is purely a product of coercion of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) by the US and a few others, Fu said." - Global Times - globaltimes.cn

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>>276926

>>276927

Chinese envoy criticizes Australia, US for 'double standards' on human rights, downplaying Gaza situation

Global Times - Oct 23, 2024

While Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries turn a blind eye to their severe human rights issues at home, in the meantime they point their fingers at other countries, which says a lot about their hypocrisy on human rights, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday, in response to over 100 countries who have voiced support for China in various ways and opposition to interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

"We urge Australia, the US and a handful of other Western countries to face up to and address their own severe human rights problems, stop the wrongful moves of politicizing human rights issues and using them as tools, and play a constructive role in international cooperation on human rights," Lin said.

Australia and the US, among a few others, reached new lows in their practice of "double standards" in front of the world, by downplaying the situation in Gaza, while smearing against China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region over human rights issues, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, at the Third Committee of the 79th session of the General Assembly, on Tuesday, according to the official website of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN.

This reveals, once again, the true intentions of Australia and the US to use human rights as a pretext to interfere in China's internal affairs and curb its development, and to broadly suppress developing countries that adhere to an independent and autonomous foreign policy, Fu noted.

If the death of more than 40,000 civilians in Gaza and the starvation and the displacement of millions of women and children are not enough to awaken the conscience of a few Western countries, and is not enough for them to stop sending weapons and ammunition that have claimed the lives of countless Palestinian civilians, then "their so-called protection of human rights of Muslims is nothing but the biggest lie," said the Chinese envoy.

In terms of human rights issues, Australia and the US among a few others have no qualification to criticize other countries as they have their own severe human rights issues at home, but they always find reasons to point fingers at others, Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

In the Gaza Strip, the actions of certain Western countries are clearly fanning the flames. However, they criticize China for human rights issues, which is absurd because such criticism is heavily colored by bias, Li said.

It is clear to the whole world that China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Xizang Autonomous Region have remained stable and prosperous, where all ethnic groups live together in harmony. The so-called assessment report on Xinjiang is fraught with lies and deception. It is purely a product of coercion of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) by the US and a few others, Fu said.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202410/1321717.shtml

http://un.china-mission.gov.cn/eng/hyyfy/202410/t20241023_11511685.htm

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21826734 (251247ZOCT24) Notable: Japanese officials observe secretive Jervis Bay exercises ahead of likely AUKUS invitation - Cutting edge autonomous maritime technology has been showcased during secretive AUKUS exercises on the NSW south coast, with US Defence officials signalling Japan could soon be involved in the experimental maritime activity. Military personnel from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have for the past three weeks participated in the tri-lateral Autonomous Warrior 2024 exercises around the Naval Base HMAS Cresswell in Jervis Bay. The activity is a key part of AUKUS pillar two endeavours, which involve joint development of emerging military technologies that harness aspects such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and autonomy. The ABC can reveal several Japanese officials have also attended the event as "observers" ahead of a likely invitation for the nation to formally participate in the event next time. "We had them come as observers to this exercise and among our four nations there was a priority that we look forward to expanding and deepening our cooperation going forward," a senior US Defence official said. "The planning for the next exercise is underway so the full details of what their participation will be in the future hasn't yet been determined. "But I think they will move from being an observer to being a participant in the activity".

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>>276900

Japanese officials observe secretive Jervis Bay exercises ahead of likely AUKUS invitation

Andrew Greene and Tim Fernandez - 25 October 2024

Cutting edge autonomous maritime technology has been showcased during secretive AUKUS exercises on the NSW south coast, with US Defence officials signalling Japan could soon be involved in the experimental maritime activity.

Military personnel from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have for the past three weeks participated in the tri-lateral Autonomous Warrior 2024 exercises around the Naval Base HMAS Cresswell in Jervis Bay.

The activity is a key part of AUKUS pillar two endeavours, which involve joint development of emerging military technologies that harness aspects such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and autonomy.

The ABC can reveal several Japanese officials have also attended the event as "observers" ahead of a likely invitation for the nation to formally participate in the event next time.

"We had them come as observers to this exercise and among our four nations there was a priority that we look forward to expanding and deepening our cooperation going forward," a senior US Defence official said.

"The planning for the next exercise is underway so the full details of what their participation will be in the future hasn't yet been determined.

"But I think they will move from being an observer to being a participant in the activity".

AUKUS pact could eventually include Japan for pillar two

There has been growing speculation about Japan eventually being the first nation to be invited by the US, UK and Australia to join AUKUS pillar two for certain advanced defence technology projects.

A senior US Defence official confirmed to the ABC that Japan had been invited to the exercises as observers but next year the country could possibly be a participant.

"We look forward to expanding and deepening our cooperation going forward," the Pentagon representative said on Thursday.

"What a 'participant' means could be bringing Japanese systems and platforms, participating in that command-and-control architecture — there's a wide range of opportunities and we're really eager to explore those," the official said.

"Japan offers a unique opportunity as one of our key partners in the region to add to that capability mix so that's what we're looking for, for Japan to be part of that experimentation going forward but also part of the collaboration."

Another Pentagon official involved in the activity highlighted how "Japan has a deep industrial base in autonomous and robotic systems" which could be used in future exercises with AUKUS partners.

Allies test compatibility

Autonomous Warrior is part of the Maritime Big Game series of exercises, where AUKUS partners tested and demonstrated advanced autonomous systems.

Australian autonomous vessels developed by the Australian Defence Force were on display during the event, including the wind and solar powered scouting vessel, the Bluebottle, and the large underwater long-range payload delivery vessel, the Speartooth.

Allies were also shown a prototype of the extra-large autonomous submarine known as the Ghost Shark which was completed in April.

Department of Defence first assistant secretary of advanced capabilities, Steven Moore, said AUKUS was about getting the technology "in the hands of our defence forces as quickly as it can".

The US military tested a range of new technologies, including autonomous sea vessels and aircraft such as a high-altitude balloon, which was launched from the Beecroft Weapons Range.

One of the main objectives of the exercises was to demonstrate interoperability of the different military systems.

It was the first time AUKUS partners had tested tactical control capability — the capacity for Australia, the US or the UK to control one of their allies' autonomous vehicles remotely.

US Defence research and engineering operations lead John Pitt said the exercises were a chance to test the limits of new technology.

"We are trying to understand the edges of the technology and take it to failure so we can improve it and continue to evolve that technology," he said.

"There have been some challenges that we have overcome."

A US official said the operation was a chance to keep across the latest developments in the rapidly advancing space.

"We know globally our adversaries and our allies are developing autonomous systems and we definitely don't want to be left behind," the American official said.

"We do want to be able to counter their technology with effective technology ourselves."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-24/japan-observes-aukus-exercises-jervis-bay/104514578

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21827045 (251349ZOCT24) Notable: OPINION:‘Fascist’ Trump’s Garden party has echoes of America’s Nazi moment- "It was clear, as soon as Donald Trump announced his rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden, that to Make America Great Again he would have a thunderclap echo from the infamous rally of American Nazis in that arena on February 20, 1939. That night, the Garden was packed with more than 20,000. A portrait of George Washington commanded the stage. American and Nazi flags and swastikas were on display. The crowd gave “sieg heils”. The American Nazis gathered to keep America pure from alien influences, and to bring America closer to Hitler’s Germany and his vision of the world. James Wheeler-Hill, the Nazi party’s national secretary, was as clear as day: “If George Washington were alive today, he would be friends with Adolf Hitler.” Trump wants to come home to Madison Square Garden to continue his fight for America First to purge the country of alien influences and radical left extremism. Trump faces his full house crowd in New York not only as a former president, but as a fascist. In recent days, two military veterans, General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff in the White House, have both gone on the record on their views of Trump’s character, and why he should never be elected to returned to power. “Certainly the former president is in the far-right area,” says Kelly, a former general in the Marines. “He’s certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictators - he has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure.” Kelly says he heard it first-hand from Trump. “He certainly prefers the dictator approach to government … He commented more than once that, ‘You know, Hitler did some good things, too.’” Trump loves the icons in New York. He wants to own them and to be the subject of adulation in them. The fascist candidate for president of the United States cannot wait to bring into Madison Square Garden his grievance, retribution and intent to wreak vengeance on his enemies, together with a desire for absolute power to prosecute his agenda and vanquish his opponents. Trump wants to seize and then exercise control over America’s temple of democracy. It will take an act of democracy by the American people to stop him." - Bruce Wolpe, senior fellow at University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre, has served on the Democratic staff in the US Congress and was chief of staff to former prime minister Julia Gillard - theage.com.au

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>>276923

OPINION: ‘Fascist’ Trump’s Garden party has echoes of America’s Nazi moment

Bruce Wolpe, Senior fellow at the US Studies Centre and former political staffer - October 25, 2024

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It was clear, as soon as Donald Trump announced his rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden, that to Make America Great Again he would have a thunderclap echo from the infamous rally of American Nazis in that arena on February 20, 1939. That night, the Garden was packed with more than 20,000. A portrait of George Washington commanded the stage. American and Nazi flags and swastikas were on display. The crowd gave “sieg heils”.

The American Nazis gathered to keep America pure from alien influences, and to bring America closer to Hitler’s Germany and his vision of the world. James Wheeler-Hill, the Nazi party’s national secretary, was as clear as day: “If George Washington were alive today, he would be friends with Adolf Hitler.”

Trump wants to come home to Madison Square Garden to continue his fight for America First to purge the country of alien influences and radical left extremism.

The creators on an Academy Award-winning film of that 1939 event, A Night at the Garden, have written: “Every one of the characteristics of Donald Trump’s rallies is present in the film above: the same vicious denunciation of the press, the same appeals to patriotism and white nationalism, the same urging that the audience, the only ‘true’ Americans, need to ‘take their country back’ from a despised minority (just substitute ‘illegals’ or ‘liberals’ for ‘Jewish’ here).”

When Trump has been called out on his flirting with Nazis in America – when he said there were “good people on both sides” in the Nazi march and violence, leaving one dead, in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017; when he had dinner with white supremacists and antisemites; when he instructed the extremist Proud Boys in the middle of a presidential debate with Joe Biden in 2020 to “stand back and stand by” – he denies knowing who they are, their intent, their racism. Trump never accepts that he is complicit.

But Trump has no restraint in being antisemitic. “If I don’t win this election, the Jewish people will have a lot to do with the loss.” He has described Jews as “voting for the enemy”. In his closing arguments in the campaign, Trump has declared war on “the enemy within” that must be put down with military force.

For the Jews, he makes it personal. “Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion. They hate everything about Israel, and they should be ashamed of themselves because Israel will be destroyed.”

Trump faces his full house crowd in New York not only as a former president, but as a fascist. In recent days, two military veterans, General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff in the White House, have both gone on the record on their views of Trump’s character, and why he should never be elected to returned to power.

“Certainly the former president is in the far-right area,” says Kelly, a former general in the Marines. “He’s certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictators – he has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure.”

Kelly says he heard it first-hand from Trump. “He certainly prefers the dictator approach to government … He commented more than once that, ‘You know, Hitler did some good things, too.’”

(continued)

Originally posted at >>>/qresearch/21831333 (260147ZOCT24) Notable: Q Post #585 - TRUST Adm R. He played the game to remain in control. Q - https://qanon.pub/#585

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>>276923

>>276930

>>276931

Australia should be talking to Trump about AUKUS: ex-security chief Michael Rogers

Andrew Tillett - Mar 19, 2024

Australia needs to sell the benefits of the AUKUS pact for the US to Donald Trump to prevent the planned sale of nuclear-powered submarines being knocked off course, a former US security chief who served in the Trump presidency says.

Former US National Security Agency head Michael Rogers said in an interview with The Australian Financial Review that Australian officials should reach out to Mr Trump and his campaign ahead of November’s presidential election to shore up the trilateral deal between Australia, the US and UK.

“AUKUS talks about strategic investments both in the submarine manufacturing arena as well as the broader tech arena. My argument would be those are in the best interests of both nations and provide benefits to both,” said Mr Rogers, who was appointed head of the NSA under Barack Obama in 2014 and whose term ended four years later during the Trump presidency.

The Australian and British governments are expected to announce on Friday that British shipbuilder BAE Systems will build nuclear-powered submarines in Adelaide.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles will host their UK counterparts David Cameron and Grant Shapps in Canberra on Thursday before heading to Adelaide for the annual AUKMIN joint talks.

Mr Marles and Mr Shapps are also expected to announce new measures boosting cooperation between the Australian and British militaries.

BAE Systems has long been touted as the builder of the submarine. It builds the Royal Navy’s submarines in England and has a big presence in Adelaide, where it is about to start building frigates for the Australian navy.

“In an increasingly complex strategic environment, the United Kingdom remains a critical partner in support of a rules-based global order,” Mr Marles said.

Under AUKUS, Australia and the UK are developing a next generation nuclear-powered submarine. The UK expects to deliver the first of its submarines in the late 2030s, while the first Australian built submarine will arrive in the early 2040s.

But before that, the AUKUS agreement calls for the US to transfer to Australia at least three and up to five Virginia class submarines.

However, concerns have been raised that the unpredictable Mr Trump and his “America First” mantra may not honour the deal if he returns to the White House.

Mr Rogers, who is visiting Australia in his role as a member of cybersecurity firm CyberCX’s global advisory board, said it was crucial for Australian officials to educate Mr Trump about Australian concerns, walk him through the AUKUS process and emphasis the important role the US president has to play in delivering the program.

“One of the points to make is AUKUS talks about investment in US infrastructure and US shipbuilding technology,” Mr Rogers said.

“There is a definite component to this that helps the United States in addition to helping Australia and the UK.

“Don’t wait until you have a winner … because remember when you are elected as president of the United States, you are trying to prepare for a whole lot of different issues. Lots of people want a piece of your time, lots of people want your attention.”

Mr Rogers said there was strong institutional support for AUKUS, pointing out the Pentagon’s past two budgets made specific references to the pact. He also downplayed that AUKUS was at risk after the most recent budget included funding to build only one new submarine in 2025.

“Let’s see what the Congress decided. If I was a betting man, we’re going to fund two Virginia class submarines in 2025, would be my guess,” he said.