Whenever I write about world events there usually follows a flow of emails telling me how wrong I am or questioning why I bother discussing non-domestic affairs.
I have no problem with those who disagree with my perspectives (as long as they are courteous) but those who tell me what to write about actually miss the point.
This is my personal blog. It always has been and always will be a documentation of my views, not anyone else’s. Hence I have written about my family, sport, politics, food, wine….in fact I have probably touched on most subjects over the past ten years or so.
Sometimes I return to the same subjects and thus I can predict what will be the likely reaction (hence the preamble). The mere mention of the word ‘Israel’ generally prompts a flood of responses and I expect this week to be no different.
It is reported this morning that former Foreign Minister Bob Carr is behind a push for the Labor Party to recognise the ‘State of Palestine’. Notwithstanding that the only place such a state exists is in the virtual reality of the United Nations, the language used by Carr is both intemperate and unwise.
Carr was recorded speaking of Israel’s ‘cruel’ and ‘foul’ occupation of Palestinian land, and Israel’s ‘ruinous path’ in rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state.
I profoundly disagree with Carr’s sentiments. Israel is a beacon of democracy and hope in the Middle East. It is surrounded by enemies who are openly anti-Semitic and want to wipe the Jews from the face of the Earth.
The ‘State’ that Carr and his ilk want to recognise are direct sponsors of terror attacks in Israel. They encourage their people to attack Israelis by any means possible. They produce vile propaganda to indoctrinate their youth with hatred of the Jewish people. They name sporting stadiums after mass murderers and serve up an alternate version of history eagerly swallowed by the gullible.
For a person of Bob Carr’s stature to overlook such menace and to instead blame the victims of perpetual assault is just extraordinary.
Now I know that there are two sides to every story and I am sure many readers will have their own perspective. However, as a supporter of freedom, democracy and civilised conduct I unashamedly stand in support of Israel. It has every right to exist and it has an obligation to protect and defend its citizens from acts of terror.
If Carr succeeds in getting Labor to recognise a Palestinian State, it will be tantamount to excusing the inexcusable.
Cory Bernardi is the author of seven books and has been a member of the Australian rowing team, a publican, an investment portfolio manager and spent nearly 14 years as an Australian Senator.
