The Israel-Australia Government war of words and tit for tat cancelling of visas, fits into a context. We understand that all governments are part of the work of God, for reasons we may not always understand.
For the scripture
saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up,
that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be
declared throughout all the earth. (Romans 9:17)
In the past, for a while, Australia had bi-partisan political agreement that it should support Israel and Jews. This actually is historically, and currently, brave – as Israel and Jews are by superficial appearances weak and a tiny minority. Islam is mighty, as is Catholicism. But in terms of Israel, it's not a numbers game. It's miracle territory.
The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: (Deuteronomy 7:7)
Look at all of the history when Jews have been among the nations, and it is as Moses said it would be.
Among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. (Deuteronomy 28:65-67)
But there is no blessing for those nations and people who fulfil this.. ! None!
For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished. (Jeremiah 30:11)
Where is Babylon?! Or Hellenistic Greece for that matter.
In a vain attempt at 'rational' 'neutrality' the current Australian leadership of Albanese, Wong and Burke support creating a PLO or PA state while also continuing “the government's longstanding call for Hamas to release the hostages taken on October 7 and for the group to play no role in a future Palestinian state.”
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is standing by his decision to cancel the visa of.. Israeli politician Simcha Rothman…(and Ayalet Shaked) "One of them has described Palestinian children as the enemy, and the other.. as little snakes.”
Unfortunately, it is well known in Israel, with evidence that Gaza children are trained to hate Jews and to fight battles.
IDF proof: Hamas, PIJ use young children for Gaza terror activities, incitement
The IDF published on Wednesday collated photos and videos showing children undergoing military training, posing with weapons, and even simulated drills in a mock tunnel. jpost
It's not in some far right rag – but in the Jerusalem Post which might be more left-leaning than right.
Andrew Hastie, the shadow home affairs minister said the Australia-Israel relationship was "now at an all-time low".
"I think the government's failed to recognise what this cancellation would mean. This wasn't just any old visa," he said, adding that he'd thought Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had been "inconsistent" with cancelling visas. Hastie says he's sure Rothman has said a "whole range of things that I probably wouldn't agree with", but he should be granted a visa given he's a member of the Israeli parliament.
There may be many reasons why Australians and Israelis have historically and currently very poor opinions of their politicians. However,
In a social media post on Tuesday night, Netanyahu launched an extraordinary missive at his Australian counterpart, describing him as a "weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews". Overnight, it also emerged that the Israeli prime minister had sent a letter to Albanese, alleging that Australia's decision to recognise a Palestinian state would "pour fuel on the antisemitic fire".
"It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement," the letter obtained by Sky News and dated August 17.
Chamberlain or Churchill? There may be some consensus that Albanese's governance is weak (dailymail), and most Jews may feel that things are not good for them in Australia (any amount of articles on this ynetnews, timesofisrael)
So Tony Burke, The home affairs minister said Albanese had shown "strength" in having a conversation with Netanyahu, arguing "strength was not measured by how many people you can blow up or … leave hungry".
In fact – many nations and people do measure strength, including Islam, by how many enemy people you can blow up. Who ever, but Israel, has won a war without massive civilian and military carnage? Do they think they can win against Russia in Ukraine by speaking nicely?
Leaving kids hungry – Does feeding your enemy's kids mean you feed your enemy? And why care so much for the kids of Hamas, when the kids of Ukraine in front line regions also go hungry and nothing is said at all? wfp.org
That's war. It's not been fun for kids in Israel either- they also have a food crisis due to the war- but with kindness, care and technological advancement have overcome it better. themedialine.org
Many Israeli children and youth died October 7, as the greatest loss by percentage of Jewish life on a day since the Holocaust. Israel's forces would not by ethical choice kill an enemy child or make it go hungry (code of ethics), Hamas supporters, by choice, have. Hamas announced the deaths of two youngest hostages aged 2 and 5. timesofindia
How hard was it to feed and keep those kids and their mum alive? That was February 18. Reports say that Jewish children hostages ranging from ages 3 to 17 were all starved (Wikipedia). In any case when it comes to causes and consequences, who supported it's start and who hasn't had enough support to stop it?
And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head; (Joel 3:3-4)
Hastie may have it right - the unforseen consequence is irrelevance - – and I notice the Australian news won't mention the humiliation, in this new mini cold war.
Hours after Burke’s statement regarding Rothman’s ban, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Israel will respond.. and to Australia’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state by revoking visas to Canberra’s envoys to the Palestinian Authority. The move will bar Australia’s representatives from traveling through Israel to Ramallah, preventing them from accessing the Palestinian Authority via Ben Gurion International Airport.
“I decided to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. The Australian Ambassador to Israel was just notified on the matter,” Sa’ar announced.
Israel will also limit visas to other Australian government officials, Sa’ar signaled. worldisraelnews
At this point Australia might think as to the benefits of being on the safer-to-visit winning side – the side that takes better care of all the kids – especially of their own side!
If these people had the opportunity to make a state for 20 years and embarked on war after war with Israel with full democratic support, how will a state of these people, without Hamas, now make peace? It defies logic.
Though of little weight, one comment reveals the biggest issue of all – as to where power sits right now - Israel can freely criticise Australia as the weaker.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley .. called on Albanese to explain how he'd get Australia's relationship with Israel "back on track". "We are seeing a relationship that has deteriorated and the consequences of that are not good and they are spilling over into our relationship with the US, our most important ally." abc.net.au
In the same news feed Australia is marginalised in the support of Ukraine, has issues getting buildings built to meet demand and has a massive destructive algal bloom it can't fix.
Hamas in Hebrew means 'violence'. There isn't a viable Islamic Arab leadership option that isn't violent and built on hatred. They were given land in Gaza to make a state 20 years ago exactly, Israel even extracted all Jews to make it Jew free with Jew-on-Jew violence. They had 20 years to put in safe places for kids, and build an independent civil economy. They didn't.
On the 20th anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza
In the aftermath, Israeli society once again finds itself grappling with uncomfortable truths.
Those Jews in Israel most affected by the invasion and war sought peace. They thought it possible to make peace and live side by side with violence - even when they saw warning of an attack, they ignored it.
The issue for Australia is that all who ally with the hatred, will inherit it - at home. Is there a day without a murder?
Tobias Ellwood, then UK Defence minister, supported dividing Israel for another Islamic state. On his very doorstep at Westminster he experienced first hand terrorist-caused bloodshed, where five died. independent.co.uk
Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end: Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee. (Ezekiel 35:5-6)
