Albanese must go further in his response to the killing of Zomi Frankcom

Trevor Reeves writes: What should Australia’s response be to Zomi Frankcom’s death?

The Australian government should not bow to the wishes of Israel and Israel’s patriarch the United States, but should take a moral view of what has been happening to the Palestinians for nearly a hundred years. The events of October 7 and Israel’s genocidal response are part of a long story.

Using the excuse that cohesion is required in Australia and that therefore criticism of Israel (or the Palestinians as a second thought) should take priority is a political crutch, a way of deflecting morality. Because we cringe at the thought of disagreeing with the UK and US, we are seen to lack ethics and compassion.

Zomi’s death was tragic — but not as tragic as that of more than 30,000 Palestinians, including more than 8,000 children.

Glen Davis writes: “Unacceptable” mumbles Albo, while accepting the murder of an Aussie providing food relief to starving civilians.

The 1948 establishment of a Jewish territorial state followed long religious persecution of Jews. The territory of Israel was created in defence of the Jews. But Netanyahu’s prosecution of war is clearly and blatantly offensive.

[US Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumer observed that “Netanyahu no longer fits the needs of Israel”. Netanyahu has raged all-out war when that was an offensive, disproportionate response. Netanyahu’s prosecution of that war has been brutal: more than 30,000 Gazans have been killed, and those who remain face imminent famine.

That Netanyahu no longer fits the needs of Israel is plainly correct and Schumer offered Albo a lead in changing his tenuous position. But no, he continues to flail and portray leadership inadequacy. Albo’s response should have been: “Zomi Frankcom was murdered while aiding starving civilians. Netanyahu’s aggression is disproportionate, is blatantly offensive. Israel has lost the support of Australia which is outraged and will be a vocal critic.”

Albanese should resign, having demonstrated that he is unfit as a leader.

Joanna Mendelssohn writes: An excellent analysis by Bernard Keane.

In view of the calculated murders of the aid workers, and bearing in mind the clear strategy of Netanyahu and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) is genocide with starvation as the primary tool, there are a number of responses the Australian government should take ASAP.

1. Inform all Australian citizens that anyone participating in genocide, especially those dual citizens who have volunteered with the IDF, that they may be charged with war crimes on their return home.
2. Cease supplying any goods to Israel that could have a military application.
3. Block the transfer of money between Australia and Israel.

Les Norton writes: Bernard has correctly called out this patently stupid, gaslighting concept, as well as the rampant bias embedded in the Albo/Wong deployment of “social cohesion” as an ethical shield to their inaction. But what should Australia be doing with regard to Israel’s conduct?

• Withdraw our ambassador and expel theirs.
• Lead on divestment and boycotts, beginning with defence contracts to the IDF.
• Call for a full sports boycott, commencing with the Paris Olympics.
• Remove legal protection for the more than 1,000 Aussies known to be fighting with the IDF, and treat them as the potential lawbreakers they are, given they are engaging in plausible genocide.

Existing as it does somewhere to the right of Malcolm Fraser, this government will of course do none of these things, thus bolstering the credentials of the Victorian Socialists and the Greens, both of whom have been consistently correct on this issue since before October 7.

Neil Ewart writes: Israel stands condemned for the murders of the aid workers but so too must Hamas remain condemned for the men, women and children raped and executed by Hamas on October 7.

Albanese got it right when he called out Hamas as a terrorist organisation that has only one objective: wipe Israel off the map. And if it means hiding behind the civilian population, infrastructure and tunnels under hospitals to achieve that objective well so be it.

Hamas must agree to release the hostages they are using as human shields. If this were to happen maybe, just maybe, Israel may be open to withdrawing their troops and genuine talks for a long-lasting ceasefire. Without this there will not be a resolution.

John Peel writes: If this murderous onslaught can happen to a convoy of aid workers, imagine what must be being inflicted, every minute, hour and day, on Palestinian civilians with no such claims to protection.

Albanese’s self-described anger and outrage over a single Australian death, however awful that has been, is no substitute for much plainer speaking the next time he has a chat with the ghastly Netanyahu. He should tell him his “war” is now beyond repulsive and that this is now reflecting, worldwide, not just on the obviously out-of-control IDF but on the whole of Israel.