Labor
Albanese still backing Israel’s onslaught despite ceasefire gesture
Anthony Albanese has shifted his position on a ceasefire under pressure from sustained protests at Israel’s genocidal onslaught on Gaza—but still won’t demand Israel stop the bombing.
The Australian government voted for a non-binding motion for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” at the UN General Assembly. This was a weaker version of a motion passed in late October, on which Australia shamefully abstained.
But a joint statement from Albanese and the Canadian and New Zealand Prime Ministers issued just before the vote shows that he is still backing Israel’s continuation of the war.
The statement had not a word of condemnation for Israel’s deliberate targeting of hospitals, journalists or civilians that has seen the death toll reach more than 18,000, including almost 8000 children.
It made it clear that Albanese was advocating only another “pause” in Israel’s attack for humanitarian reasons, and supported a long-term ceasefire only if Hamas completely surrenders, laying down its arms and unconditionally releasing all its hostages.
This amounts to support for Israel’s declared war aim of wiping out Hamas.
The statement also repeated the lie that Israel’s attack on Gaza was about a “right to defend itself” as well as unverified Israeli claims about Hamas’s use of sexual violence on 7 October and the claim it uses “human shields”.
Albanese is still parroting the idea that Hamas’s attack is to blame for Israel’s savagery. But it is Israel alone that is responsible for the violence. Israel is a militarised settler state that was founded on mass ethnic cleansing 75 years ago and has been expelling Palestinians from more and more land ever since.
Israel has illegally occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem for more than 50 years, subjecting Palestinians to a regime of apartheid and terror.
It unleashes brutal violence against any form of resistance including non-violent demonstrations, including the two Palestinian Intifadas in 1987 and 2000 or the more recent Great March of Return in 2018.
Gaza has been under a crippling blockade for 16 years, with the population of 2.3 million kept barely above starvation levels, without safe drinking water or functioning electricity, even before the current attack. This has been a policy of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians—a war crime under international law.
Hamas has a right to resist Israel’s occupation—including by armed force. It is continuing the Palestinians’ legitimate struggle for national liberation that has been ongoing since 1948.
Albanese’s statement hypocritically claims to “support Palestinians’ right to self-determination” while at the same time saying there “is no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza”. Yet Hamas was democratically elected in the last elections held in 2006 in the West Bank and Gaza.
Palestinian support for Hamas is still at 76 per cent, according to an Arab World for Research and Development poll taken during the current war. This is because Palestinians support their efforts to resist Israeli oppression.
Outrage at Israel’s onslaught on Gaza is growing worldwide. Even US President Joe Biden, who continues to oppose ceasefire resolutions at the UN, has admitted its bombing of Gaza has been “indiscriminate” and that Israel is losing global support.
Continual protests here have put huge pressure on the Labor government to abandon its support for Israel.
We need to add to that pressure. Australia should break its military and economic ties with Israel, stop exporting weapons and military equipment that are being used in Gaza and the West Bank, and expel the Israeli ambassador.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong should cancel her planned visit to Israel in January.
We need to keep building the movement to free Palestine and to demand Albanese backs a permanent ceasefire and condemns Israel’s brutal war as well as its ongoing apartheid policies and occupation of Palestine.
By James Supple
The post Albanese still backing Israel’s onslaught despite ceasefire gesture first appeared on Solidarity Online.
Gazan Workers in Limbo
Laborers who had their work permits revoked after October 7 remain stranded.
Israel’s Permit Regime
Israel is increasing its reliance on foreign workers—laying the groundwork for a nation without Palestinians.
Coalition Demands The Trading Of Kidneys So The Young Can Afford Houses
The Coalition has demanded that the Albanese Government immediately change the law to allow those under the age of 40 to be able to sell their kidneys in order to get into the housing market.
”What sort of society does Anthony Albanese want with young people walking around with all their major organs, but no house?” said the Coalition’s attack person of the day Sussan Ley. ”There are boomers out there crying out for new kidneys, who would love to drop a few franking credits in order to buy them!”
”The Prime Minister needs to get in to the real world, and listen to some Sky News After Dark.”
When asked if the Coalition seriously wanted to legalize organ trading, Sussan with two S’s said: ”Absolutely. We need to do what we can to help our society’s most vulnerable – the boomers.”
”This idea is a win, a win for boomers.”
”As the more people in the market for houses will lead to higher demand and higher prices, everyone wins. Well, everyone that will potentially vote for us wins!”
”Now, if you’ll excuse me, I heard Anthony Albanese had an orange juice for breakfast instead of a coffee. I need to appear on Sky News to condemn him for that.”
Mark Williamson
@MWChatShow
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‘Labor has blood on their hands’: why I quit the ALP
Labor’s support for Israel’s horrific war on Gaza is creating tensions within the party. Solidarity spoke to one member about why she quit the ALP.
Nish is a member of the CPSU, the union for federal public servants, in Sydney. She has been an ALP member for five years in the Canterbury-Bankstown area.
“Labor has blood on its hands over Palestine. The moral cowardice on this issue is unforgiveable. It’s simply beyond the pale.
“I grew up in one of those staunch migrant Labor households. My parents have always been pro-Labor. I voted Labor and sometimes Greens.
“I’m in a safe Labor seat and I joined to get involved in activity—local branch meetings and stuff.
“I know 29 Labor branches have called for a ceasefire but it’s not enough. And when people put a query around our branch about voting for a ceasefire it was met with silence. It was like, we’re just going to ignore it.
“Canterbury-Bankstown Council voted to fly the Palestine flag and I think the lived experience for councillors matters—they know people affected.
“But a lot of party members, particularly those in power, are divorced from that reality.
“It’s part of a bigger problem with politics. It’s run by lawyers rather than people in the community.
“I was at the meeting of the Inner West Council where they refused to support Gaza. Labor councillors weren’t prepared to turn and look at the audience. They were toeing the party line.
“My resignation is a result of so many things. The way Labor follows the Coalition in refugee-related policies. The premier, Chris Minns, lighting up the Opera House in Israeli colours and attacking pro-Palestine protesters.
“Palestine is the straw that broke the camel’s back. I know more people have left and Labor head office is bombarding people with emails.
“I like the way the Greens have stepped up but I’m feeling a bit cynical with party politics. I think I’ll be putting my energies into grassroots work, activist stuff. I want to help keep up the pressure.”
The post ‘Labor has blood on their hands’: why I quit the ALP first appeared on Solidarity Online.
Sky News Encourages Their Viewers, All 6 Of Them, To Get Behind Dutton
Low rating news channel, Sky News Australia, has put out the rally cry for their viewers, all 6 of them, to get behind low-polling Opposition leader, the Dark Lord Peter Dutton.
”We need our viewers to muck in and get behind good ol’ Petey Dutton,” said Sky News host, convicted racist Andrew Bolt. ”I can’t wait for a country led by Pete.”
”The air will be crisper, the sun brighter and everything will be a comfortable shade of white.”
When asked why a news channel, admittedly a very low-rating one, would seemingly be barracking for one side of politics rather than remaining neutral, Mr Bolt said: ”We just want what’s best for Australia.”
”And by Australia, of course I mean our demographic, aging, predominantly white boomers,”
”Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m having a little soiree for all my fans and must make sure the telephone booth down the road is free.”
@MWChatShow
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Aussies Urged To Put Out Their Shotguns In Honour Of Barnaby’s Latest Wedding
Australians are today being urged to get out their shotguns and put them outside their doors in honor of shadow minister for home affairs Barnaby Joyce’s latest wedding.
”Australian’s love Barnaby and his crazy antics,” said a National Party Insider. ”He’s like our Mr Bean. Just with a lot more swearing and rooting.”
”Oh the tales I could tell you about all the rooting, oh boy!”
When asked whether or not it was insensitive to his first wife and children to be flaunting his latest marriage all over the news, the National Party Insider said: ”Barnaby loves all of his children, what are there these days, 6, 7?”
”Anyway, as he always says you just never know when you may need a spare kidney.”
”Now, if you’ll excuse me, Barnaby is back in Canberra this week and keen to do some research on Sussan Ley’s strip club ban proposal and has asked me to join him by visiting a few.”
Mark Williamson
@MWChatShow
You can follow The (un)Australian on twitter @TheUnOz or like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theunoz.
The (un)Australian Live At The Newsagency Recorded live, to purchase click here:
Cartoon: The Labor Channel
Market hype, with its seductive appeals to dreams of getting rich, gets blasted out 24/7 on various networks, not to mention a slew of financial publications. Yet there is no corresponding entity that reports moment-to-moment on the struggles of ordinary people to get paid a living wage, or not have their bodies destroyed in a warehouse. What seems like apolitical business news at first is in fact highly political cheerleading for the investor class no matter what the real-world costs.
Have a good Labor Day!
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Cartoon: Striking back
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