Once again, thank you for this plea rich in humanity, where heart and reason meet.
It has often been said that Zionism was the worst enemy of the Jews, of Judaism. To equate the Jewish religion with Zionism is, in my opinion, akin to blasphemy that perverts the Divine message. It is the same, moreover, for all monotheistic religions…
Yes, I know, I am only repeating the opinions of experts on the subject that you highlight. But I remain stunned and devastated by the lack of reaction that this provokes and the blind submission of the global West as well as the majority of the Jewish community who continue to associate Zionism with Judaism…
Avigail, thank you so much for posting this short but powerful documentary. I am not a Jew myself (I am in fact an avowed atheist), but I grew up in a very Jewish area of my capital city in Australia and as a consequence of having many Jewish friends in my youth, I feel a real affinity with Jews.
I have been attending pro-Palestine rallies on an almost weekly basis for the past 15 months or so. I am proud to march alongside those Jews who also attend the rallies with banners with messages such as "Jews for Palestine".
You are doing fantastic work Avigail. Please keep it up.
Hi Robert, I spent 7 years in Sydney and 11 in Canberra and it breaks my heart to think about all those weekly rallies in Civic, all the talks, the articles from twenty years ago that made so little difference, both to what Israel does, to the world’s response to it. Back in the day, apart from the Australian Greens, Albanese was one of the few decent politicians on Palestine. Now look at what he does when he is power… These people are such a disappointment. We must use our voices and I am glad that you and your friends do, but we are being ignored… Thank you for your very kind comment and for your encouragement. I will continue to speak out for as long as it is needed, which I hope is not long.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my post and for your kind reply.
I am embarrassed to admit that I did not start to become actively involved in the pro-Palestine movement until around 15 months ago even though I was aware of horrors such as the Sabra and Shatila massacres in 1982 and the Great March of Return in 2018-2019 and its ghastly consequences for the Palestinian people.
I am an ex-ALP member. I spent around 16 years in the party. I joined ca. 1966 because of my vehement opposition to the Vietnam War and conscription. Back then, the ALP had something that resembled a backbone as they clearly opposed the war. I resigned from the party in utter disgust in the early 1980s when the working class traitors Hawke (who was an informer for the Americans) and Keating did the dirty work for the Liberals and introduced neo-liberalism economics into Australia.
I am not sure if you have heard of Senator Fatima Payman who was an ALP Senator until recently. She resigned from the party and now sits as an independent because she sided with the Greens in the senate over a vote to recognize Palestine. In the forthcoming federal election (to be held by May this year) I will be voting Green first, ALP second last and the LNP last (the LNP are just as despicable as when you were here in Australia last).
I had better stop there. Thanks again Avigail for your lovely comments.
Thanks so much Robert. Good to hear about your history. It is understandable that you feel uncomfortable with not supporting the Palestinians earlier. Good people feel guilt and can’t lie to themselves. So you are a good person and I am grateful to you for supporting Palestinian human rights and for finding me here on Substack. Your political history is so interesting. I came to Australia in 1991 as a twenty-seven year-old with a permanent residency, which meant I could not vote until 1993 when I became a citizen. I arrived during the transition from Labour to the Liberals and even with very little understanding of Australian politics at the time I could see Keating and Hawke for what they were. Hawke was always ‘in love’ with Israel. These two practically handed the country over to the Liberals. The Howard years were horrible. It was so clear what the ten-years of Howard did to Australia. I sat through consultations on mental health in Canberra where Howard was present. He was so clearly a narcissist.
One thing I witnessed living in Canberra and working with clients who worked for the government is how he gutted the CSIRO, especially the sustainable technology research. So many brilliant Australian scientists moved to Europe and Scandinavia back then, and were quite heart-broken.
During my 18 years in Australia I only voted for the Australian Greens in Federal and state elections. It was gratifying to see them get seats in state and federal Parliaments. I spent quite a lot of time in Parliament House in Canberra. I have now lived in Scotland for 15 years (Scottish politics is in a lot to trouble too), so haven’t been well informed on Australian politics. Good to hear about Senator Payman. It must be so difficult for you and for her o have to leave a party that you believed in for so long. But good work!
Thank you so much for your last post, Avigail. I don't want to take up too much of your valuable time but I can't help myself. I just want to make a few brief remarks in response.
I am not too sure about being a "good person". I try my best but I know that over my 77 years I have fallen short of the mark on more than one occasion. But from my experience it seems that the older you get the more sensible you become although that is by no means a guarantee of infallibility.
As far as my political history is concerned I have really felt politically disenfranchised for at least 40 or so years. I am basically a communist but the left here in Australia is atomized and has been in this lamentable state for about the same number of years (perhaps even more). For decades I have been voting for "the least worst" party, rather than some party that really inspires me. I have never voted for the Liberal Party in my life; in fact since I was a teenager I have held the view that I would rather burn my ballot paper than vote for that outfit.
Your assessment of Howard is "right on the mark". The only thing he did that I agreed with was to introduce the gun control legislation following the Port Arthur shooting. (My mother used to say, "If you can't say something nice about someone then don't say anything at all". Mum was actually a "dyed in the wool Liberal voter!)
It is heartbreaking to see what the Liberals did to the CSIRO and the low priority they give to science in general. I say that as someone whose background is in the physical sciences.
As a mature-age student I completed a BSc (Hons) degree and a Dip. Ed. at Melbourne University. I taught senior high school chemistry for several years.
Then as a mature, mature-age student I went to Monash University at the tender age of 55 and somehow managed to complete another BSc(Hons) degree with a double major in Physics and Mathematics. Although I am not really all that good at science and maths I still love that area. It is my main hobby and interest. When I as in my mid-twenties I wondered should I pursue a career in politics or science. I am so glad that I chose science. It is a challenging and tough field but if I had chosen politics I think that I might been a candidate for the 'madhouse' by now. I am in little doubt that the global political/economic situation has only deteriorated in my lifetime.
As a retiree I want to spend time going over some of my university text books but the moment I find myself getting through Hannan Arendt's "The Origins of Totalitarianism". I think that once again I am 'out of my depth'. This woman was a real intellectual giant in every sense of the word.
I apologize for my loquacity. I always get into trouble for it from my wife. But it is always a trap when in contact with such an interesting interlocutor.
Thank you, once again Avigail. Those who stand steadfast for, and with, the truth are the salvation of humanity. That stand must be, as yours is, one rooted in humility, open to the world in love. Far too many of our species, regardless if they are on the 'right side' of any particular issue, stand in arrogance, rendering judgment of their fellow humans, and incapable of finding common ground.
I posted the equivalence of this on Alon Mizrahi's Substack. I hope you would be open to my idea.
I said that I had just come from reading and thanking you on your Substack, where you, too, describe escaping from the death cult that is Zionism, and embodied in the State of Israel. It would be fabulous if you and he could do a video together. You have both come to the same conclusion, but from different directions. I think we could all benefit from a collaboration between the two of you. You have many years of looking back on that break you made, whilst Alon has just come to that place. Is that something you might consider?
Sure why not. I have never met Alon, but will be happy to connect with him and see if he is interested. We can always record a conversation between us and post it. Thanks for thinking about it.
Yes, of course. It is good of you to ask but feel free to share anything I post and you don’t need to ask again. In fact, I would be grateful if you share.
Thank you, the majority of the world are listening even if the establishment isn't.
Once again, thank you for this plea rich in humanity, where heart and reason meet.
It has often been said that Zionism was the worst enemy of the Jews, of Judaism. To equate the Jewish religion with Zionism is, in my opinion, akin to blasphemy that perverts the Divine message. It is the same, moreover, for all monotheistic religions…
That’s essentially what the Rabbi in the video says, and also the other Rabbi I mentioned a few posts ago, Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro.
Yes, I know, I am only repeating the opinions of experts on the subject that you highlight. But I remain stunned and devastated by the lack of reaction that this provokes and the blind submission of the global West as well as the majority of the Jewish community who continue to associate Zionism with Judaism…
Any one who cares about Israel know it is destroying itself from within, with its inhumanity towards Palestinians. Thank you for an inside look.
Israeli society will never come back from this genocide.
That’s such a sad and shocking thing to say and admit and such a profound tragedy.
I would really like you to expand on why you think this is the case and where it might lead.
Boy, it’s hard to see any sane path out of the insane destruction and killing and deep deep cruelty and insanity on display since 7 Oct 2023.
It’s been quite a journey with all your essays and I keep cheering them all with your carefully considered reason, deep care and profound humanity.
Thanks for looking out for us all.
Avigail, thank you so much for posting this short but powerful documentary. I am not a Jew myself (I am in fact an avowed atheist), but I grew up in a very Jewish area of my capital city in Australia and as a consequence of having many Jewish friends in my youth, I feel a real affinity with Jews.
I have been attending pro-Palestine rallies on an almost weekly basis for the past 15 months or so. I am proud to march alongside those Jews who also attend the rallies with banners with messages such as "Jews for Palestine".
You are doing fantastic work Avigail. Please keep it up.
Hi Robert, I spent 7 years in Sydney and 11 in Canberra and it breaks my heart to think about all those weekly rallies in Civic, all the talks, the articles from twenty years ago that made so little difference, both to what Israel does, to the world’s response to it. Back in the day, apart from the Australian Greens, Albanese was one of the few decent politicians on Palestine. Now look at what he does when he is power… These people are such a disappointment. We must use our voices and I am glad that you and your friends do, but we are being ignored… Thank you for your very kind comment and for your encouragement. I will continue to speak out for as long as it is needed, which I hope is not long.
Hi Avigail,
Many thanks for taking the time to read my post and for your kind reply.
I am embarrassed to admit that I did not start to become actively involved in the pro-Palestine movement until around 15 months ago even though I was aware of horrors such as the Sabra and Shatila massacres in 1982 and the Great March of Return in 2018-2019 and its ghastly consequences for the Palestinian people.
I am an ex-ALP member. I spent around 16 years in the party. I joined ca. 1966 because of my vehement opposition to the Vietnam War and conscription. Back then, the ALP had something that resembled a backbone as they clearly opposed the war. I resigned from the party in utter disgust in the early 1980s when the working class traitors Hawke (who was an informer for the Americans) and Keating did the dirty work for the Liberals and introduced neo-liberalism economics into Australia.
I am not sure if you have heard of Senator Fatima Payman who was an ALP Senator until recently. She resigned from the party and now sits as an independent because she sided with the Greens in the senate over a vote to recognize Palestine. In the forthcoming federal election (to be held by May this year) I will be voting Green first, ALP second last and the LNP last (the LNP are just as despicable as when you were here in Australia last).
I had better stop there. Thanks again Avigail for your lovely comments.
Thanks so much Robert. Good to hear about your history. It is understandable that you feel uncomfortable with not supporting the Palestinians earlier. Good people feel guilt and can’t lie to themselves. So you are a good person and I am grateful to you for supporting Palestinian human rights and for finding me here on Substack. Your political history is so interesting. I came to Australia in 1991 as a twenty-seven year-old with a permanent residency, which meant I could not vote until 1993 when I became a citizen. I arrived during the transition from Labour to the Liberals and even with very little understanding of Australian politics at the time I could see Keating and Hawke for what they were. Hawke was always ‘in love’ with Israel. These two practically handed the country over to the Liberals. The Howard years were horrible. It was so clear what the ten-years of Howard did to Australia. I sat through consultations on mental health in Canberra where Howard was present. He was so clearly a narcissist.
One thing I witnessed living in Canberra and working with clients who worked for the government is how he gutted the CSIRO, especially the sustainable technology research. So many brilliant Australian scientists moved to Europe and Scandinavia back then, and were quite heart-broken.
During my 18 years in Australia I only voted for the Australian Greens in Federal and state elections. It was gratifying to see them get seats in state and federal Parliaments. I spent quite a lot of time in Parliament House in Canberra. I have now lived in Scotland for 15 years (Scottish politics is in a lot to trouble too), so haven’t been well informed on Australian politics. Good to hear about Senator Payman. It must be so difficult for you and for her o have to leave a party that you believed in for so long. But good work!
Thank you so much for your last post, Avigail. I don't want to take up too much of your valuable time but I can't help myself. I just want to make a few brief remarks in response.
I am not too sure about being a "good person". I try my best but I know that over my 77 years I have fallen short of the mark on more than one occasion. But from my experience it seems that the older you get the more sensible you become although that is by no means a guarantee of infallibility.
As far as my political history is concerned I have really felt politically disenfranchised for at least 40 or so years. I am basically a communist but the left here in Australia is atomized and has been in this lamentable state for about the same number of years (perhaps even more). For decades I have been voting for "the least worst" party, rather than some party that really inspires me. I have never voted for the Liberal Party in my life; in fact since I was a teenager I have held the view that I would rather burn my ballot paper than vote for that outfit.
Your assessment of Howard is "right on the mark". The only thing he did that I agreed with was to introduce the gun control legislation following the Port Arthur shooting. (My mother used to say, "If you can't say something nice about someone then don't say anything at all". Mum was actually a "dyed in the wool Liberal voter!)
It is heartbreaking to see what the Liberals did to the CSIRO and the low priority they give to science in general. I say that as someone whose background is in the physical sciences.
As a mature-age student I completed a BSc (Hons) degree and a Dip. Ed. at Melbourne University. I taught senior high school chemistry for several years.
Then as a mature, mature-age student I went to Monash University at the tender age of 55 and somehow managed to complete another BSc(Hons) degree with a double major in Physics and Mathematics. Although I am not really all that good at science and maths I still love that area. It is my main hobby and interest. When I as in my mid-twenties I wondered should I pursue a career in politics or science. I am so glad that I chose science. It is a challenging and tough field but if I had chosen politics I think that I might been a candidate for the 'madhouse' by now. I am in little doubt that the global political/economic situation has only deteriorated in my lifetime.
As a retiree I want to spend time going over some of my university text books but the moment I find myself getting through Hannan Arendt's "The Origins of Totalitarianism". I think that once again I am 'out of my depth'. This woman was a real intellectual giant in every sense of the word.
I apologize for my loquacity. I always get into trouble for it from my wife. But it is always a trap when in contact with such an interesting interlocutor.
Thank you, once again Avigail. Those who stand steadfast for, and with, the truth are the salvation of humanity. That stand must be, as yours is, one rooted in humility, open to the world in love. Far too many of our species, regardless if they are on the 'right side' of any particular issue, stand in arrogance, rendering judgment of their fellow humans, and incapable of finding common ground.
I posted the equivalence of this on Alon Mizrahi's Substack. I hope you would be open to my idea.
I said that I had just come from reading and thanking you on your Substack, where you, too, describe escaping from the death cult that is Zionism, and embodied in the State of Israel. It would be fabulous if you and he could do a video together. You have both come to the same conclusion, but from different directions. I think we could all benefit from a collaboration between the two of you. You have many years of looking back on that break you made, whilst Alon has just come to that place. Is that something you might consider?
Sure why not. I have never met Alon, but will be happy to connect with him and see if he is interested. We can always record a conversation between us and post it. Thanks for thinking about it.
Definitely.
Maybe you could interview each other.
It will be fascinating.
Thank you for another wonderful essay. Would it be okay if I shared it with a Zionist friend?
Yes, of course. It is good of you to ask but feel free to share anything I post and you don’t need to ask again. In fact, I would be grateful if you share.
It is simple: "Where there is abuse in the context of imbalance of power, there is only one side decent people can take"
Thank you, Avigail. This is *so* good. Needs to be shared far and wide (& I will do my bit).
Thank you so much Steve! Please feel free to share as widely as you like.