It is years of dedicated work by the Israel lobby that has ensured the mass murder of Palestinians is viewed by governments, the media and parts of the Jewish community as entirely legitimate
Our societies indoctrinate or condition us to accept certain 'norms', i.e. concepts, notions, ideas, actions, policies, attitudes and such that are no longer questioned by the majority but simply accepted as 'how it is' and for many 'the way it's supposed to be.'
These norms originate with powerful elites such as monarchs, presidents, parliaments, heads of state, governments, business leaders, churches and/or religions, the wealthy or some amalgam of them.
The norms are inculcated in many ways but primarily by structuring society in particular ways; instilling a belief that certain roles, positions or statuses deserve respect and obeyance, hence the supposed wisdom, honesty, compassion and respectability of priests, governors, heads of state, parliamentarians, philanthropists and such. They are also spread, particularly in more modern times by a mainstream media controlled almost exclusively by a handful of wealthy individuals. However, that all this can be successful is because our 'education' systems, which were predominantly established to benefit the capitalist who benefited from the industrial revolution, by providing basic numeracy and literacy such that young people were capable of following the instructions and various designations, messages or warnings that was required to operate the new machinery of the age.
Indeed, our school system has never been primarily about 'education' but rather about socialisation. It was not and still is not designed to encourage critical thinking. It is about providing the 'right' answers rather than asking the right questions. Those 'right' answers being already predetermined by those who control the system.
So, the speed with which the government, the media, and the public quickly responded to the Bondi killings with all manner of speculation and assumption that fitted the constant pressure and claims of the majority of Jewish institutions that it was another case of antisemitism and our government hadn't and wasn't doing enough to prevent it.
That reaction was and is nonsense. Israel, for over 2 years has been and continues to carry out a genocidal persecution of the Palestinian people. During the last few days even approving the establishment of almost 20 illegal new settlements in the West Bank; continuing to deny more than a trickle of aid into Gaza and occupying well over 50% of the territory.
Israel may have many Jewish citizens and have been founded, (though in perfidy) as a result of the empathy felt for Jewish suffering and persecution during the 1930s and 1940s but Israel has, from its very beginning been a Zionist state. Certainly it has not had other than Zionist leadership since its foundation in 1948.
Sound minded, rational, caring, moral and compassionate people cannot and will not be kept silent when they see such obnoxious brutality, persecution and immorality as that shown by Israel since 7 October 2023. This genocidal activity is not and never has been about 'self defense' and it is a pathetic and cowardly absurdity that so many western 'leaders' have failed to condemn Israel for its illegality and savagery or implement sanctions against it. For on the contrary, many of these supposedly freedom loving democracies have continued to supply arms and or funding to Israel and to avoid any direct demand, let alone action to stop this massacre of Palestinians in their own land.
The reality is that such events as the killings at Bondi, whilst tragic for the victims and their families, friends and communities, generally have little to do with antisemitism - which, in any case, is a term used falsely - most westerners thinking, wrongly, that it means hatred of Jews because that is the norm that has been effectively inculcated in our populations.
The majority of the anti-Jewish feeling results from the directions of Netanyahu and the actions of the Israeli Defense Force, (Defense?) and this is not a result of Jewish feeling or sentiment but of Zionist belief and aims and hate.
So, instead of more knee-jerk reaction and kow-towing to the Jewish lobby, we need Jewish organisations of sound moral character to stand up and strongly oppose Netanyah's genodice and we need to take action to explain to our population where the truth lies, what 'semite' actually means, who are the Zionists and what is the background and history to this appalling inhumane travesty of a pariah state, i.e. Israel, perverting the narrative to retain the sympathy and empathy of other nations and their people. It was appropriate after the disclosures at the end of WWII but with Israel's actions over the last 2 years, that sympathy ought to be considered exhausted.
That protestors against genocide and those with intelligence enough to know & understood the complexities that have brought about this situation, to be painted as 'agitators', even 'terrorists' and harsher rules against peaceful protest and the right to condemn what is,by any standards, inhumane and appalling cruelty, torture and inexcusable horror, is entirely the opposite to what we should be doing. These protestors would protest the type of genocidal action, disdain for the United Nations, ignoring of International Law and outlandish denial of any wrong-doing, no matter which group or nation might be committing it.
We don't need increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and right to demonstrate. We need a correctly informed community, a developed sense of perspective, a government and other governments that have the courage to stand against Trump and 'might is right' belief and action which ought to have died with the stone-age.
It is time for some maturity, inclusivity, equity, and sound moral action by our governments, our institutions, our media and our leaders or influencers.
Australia is supposedly an excellent model of a multicultural society. Is it? Perhaps in the sense that people of whatever ethnicity can move about freely and receive the same treatment under government, (though even that is questionable when considering First Nations People, but it is certainly not true in the sense of our willingness to seek to understand other cultures, their histories, their more and traits, and their ancient or long standing geo-political, religious or cultural differences and enmities.
The fact is that what the Bondi assassinations show us most of all is nothing to do with Jews or Muslims or Terrorists or the availability of guns or etc. What is shows us is how pathetically immature we are as a people and how poorly led, advised, schooled or educated.
It is time that we stopped obsessing over symptoms and offering transparently flawed solutions to them and instead begin to ask serious questions about when, how, where, how and why - and most importantly, *what is the real issue?*
We can’t assume the attack was driven by antisemitism or even the ludicrous belief that Israel is right to claim they are committing genocide in the name of Jews.
Israel use Islamic terrorists as false flag attacks against Gaza.
When the IHRA definition of anti-semitism included critisism of Israel, many people warned that this would endanger Jews everywhere as some would hold all Jews responsible for the actions of Israel's leaders and army. Dave Rich did not care about that, every attack on Jews is grist to his mill.
The Guardian went into a Jonathan Friedland style meltdown over the Bondi Beach attack. I wish they had treated every dead Palestinian that was murdered by the Israelis in the same manner.
The Guardian is sending us all a message: only certain groups of people matter in the grand scheme of things.
It’s utterly soul destroying, not to mention the destruction of International Law and a system of universal justice being so utterly trashed just to give legitimacy to the undeniable atrocities committed by Israel, live streamed from their own mouths. But to now see and understand the true extent to which Israel is prepared to go, in order that their narrative is the underlying truth and all others is some conspiracy against Jewish people cripples the possibility of free speech as well as all other democratic freedoms we’ve lived by throughout most of our lives.
I would have been astonished by the complicity of the BBC and the Guardian in using this horrific attack in an attempt to shut down criticism of a live on-going genocide; however, after over two years, this is now expected.
Why isn’t the courage and heroism of Ahmed L Ahmed shown on the front pages instead of “Jewish couple attempted to stop the gunmen before being slain?
Why is the fact that Netanyahu warned the Australian authorities this would happen not investigated? How did he know? What happened to investigative journalism? Who benefits from this attack? Why is the Israeli press trying to link this to Iran while at the same time an ISIS flag was found in the possession of the shooters? ISIS are Sunni Wahabists and have been supported by Western powers in Afghanistan and Yemen and they view Shia Iran and Yemen as apostates? Ask a few questions and the narrative crumbles. The people see through this.
Every sentence David Rich uttered in that article reeks of typical Zionist DARVO syndrome (deny attack reverse victim offender) well known tactics used by narcissists to defend their behaviour
Yes, Jonathan. Why are The Guardian publishing a piece which blames an act of terror on ordinary people who protest the slaughter of children, medical workers and journalists, the bombing of hospitals and the complicity of our governments in a genocide? Truly, terrorism doesn't happen in a vacuum. I have switched to The Nerve (founded by Carole Cadwalladr and other ex Guardian journalists), Novara Media and substackers like you for my news. As ever, 'thank you for your service' xx
yes never forgave the G for getting rid of best political caroonest ever in the shape of Steve Bell. The editers of G along with Freedland are a disgrace I STOPPED READING tHE G 3 yrs ago after 55 yrs reading it everyday
Our societies indoctrinate or condition us to accept certain 'norms', i.e. concepts, notions, ideas, actions, policies, attitudes and such that are no longer questioned by the majority but simply accepted as 'how it is' and for many 'the way it's supposed to be.'
These norms originate with powerful elites such as monarchs, presidents, parliaments, heads of state, governments, business leaders, churches and/or religions, the wealthy or some amalgam of them.
The norms are inculcated in many ways but primarily by structuring society in particular ways; instilling a belief that certain roles, positions or statuses deserve respect and obeyance, hence the supposed wisdom, honesty, compassion and respectability of priests, governors, heads of state, parliamentarians, philanthropists and such. They are also spread, particularly in more modern times by a mainstream media controlled almost exclusively by a handful of wealthy individuals. However, that all this can be successful is because our 'education' systems, which were predominantly established to benefit the capitalist who benefited from the industrial revolution, by providing basic numeracy and literacy such that young people were capable of following the instructions and various designations, messages or warnings that was required to operate the new machinery of the age.
Indeed, our school system has never been primarily about 'education' but rather about socialisation. It was not and still is not designed to encourage critical thinking. It is about providing the 'right' answers rather than asking the right questions. Those 'right' answers being already predetermined by those who control the system.
So, the speed with which the government, the media, and the public quickly responded to the Bondi killings with all manner of speculation and assumption that fitted the constant pressure and claims of the majority of Jewish institutions that it was another case of antisemitism and our government hadn't and wasn't doing enough to prevent it.
That reaction was and is nonsense. Israel, for over 2 years has been and continues to carry out a genocidal persecution of the Palestinian people. During the last few days even approving the establishment of almost 20 illegal new settlements in the West Bank; continuing to deny more than a trickle of aid into Gaza and occupying well over 50% of the territory.
Israel may have many Jewish citizens and have been founded, (though in perfidy) as a result of the empathy felt for Jewish suffering and persecution during the 1930s and 1940s but Israel has, from its very beginning been a Zionist state. Certainly it has not had other than Zionist leadership since its foundation in 1948.
Sound minded, rational, caring, moral and compassionate people cannot and will not be kept silent when they see such obnoxious brutality, persecution and immorality as that shown by Israel since 7 October 2023. This genocidal activity is not and never has been about 'self defense' and it is a pathetic and cowardly absurdity that so many western 'leaders' have failed to condemn Israel for its illegality and savagery or implement sanctions against it. For on the contrary, many of these supposedly freedom loving democracies have continued to supply arms and or funding to Israel and to avoid any direct demand, let alone action to stop this massacre of Palestinians in their own land.
The reality is that such events as the killings at Bondi, whilst tragic for the victims and their families, friends and communities, generally have little to do with antisemitism - which, in any case, is a term used falsely - most westerners thinking, wrongly, that it means hatred of Jews because that is the norm that has been effectively inculcated in our populations.
The majority of the anti-Jewish feeling results from the directions of Netanyahu and the actions of the Israeli Defense Force, (Defense?) and this is not a result of Jewish feeling or sentiment but of Zionist belief and aims and hate.
So, instead of more knee-jerk reaction and kow-towing to the Jewish lobby, we need Jewish organisations of sound moral character to stand up and strongly oppose Netanyah's genodice and we need to take action to explain to our population where the truth lies, what 'semite' actually means, who are the Zionists and what is the background and history to this appalling inhumane travesty of a pariah state, i.e. Israel, perverting the narrative to retain the sympathy and empathy of other nations and their people. It was appropriate after the disclosures at the end of WWII but with Israel's actions over the last 2 years, that sympathy ought to be considered exhausted.
That protestors against genocide and those with intelligence enough to know & understood the complexities that have brought about this situation, to be painted as 'agitators', even 'terrorists' and harsher rules against peaceful protest and the right to condemn what is,by any standards, inhumane and appalling cruelty, torture and inexcusable horror, is entirely the opposite to what we should be doing. These protestors would protest the type of genocidal action, disdain for the United Nations, ignoring of International Law and outlandish denial of any wrong-doing, no matter which group or nation might be committing it.
We don't need increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and right to demonstrate. We need a correctly informed community, a developed sense of perspective, a government and other governments that have the courage to stand against Trump and 'might is right' belief and action which ought to have died with the stone-age.
It is time for some maturity, inclusivity, equity, and sound moral action by our governments, our institutions, our media and our leaders or influencers.
Australia is supposedly an excellent model of a multicultural society. Is it? Perhaps in the sense that people of whatever ethnicity can move about freely and receive the same treatment under government, (though even that is questionable when considering First Nations People, but it is certainly not true in the sense of our willingness to seek to understand other cultures, their histories, their more and traits, and their ancient or long standing geo-political, religious or cultural differences and enmities.
The fact is that what the Bondi assassinations show us most of all is nothing to do with Jews or Muslims or Terrorists or the availability of guns or etc. What is shows us is how pathetically immature we are as a people and how poorly led, advised, schooled or educated.
It is time that we stopped obsessing over symptoms and offering transparently flawed solutions to them and instead begin to ask serious questions about when, how, where, how and why - and most importantly, *what is the real issue?*
We can’t assume the attack was driven by antisemitism or even the ludicrous belief that Israel is right to claim they are committing genocide in the name of Jews.
Israel use Islamic terrorists as false flag attacks against Gaza.
Bravo Jonathan 👏👏👏
Huh. F*ck Israel.
When the IHRA definition of anti-semitism included critisism of Israel, many people warned that this would endanger Jews everywhere as some would hold all Jews responsible for the actions of Israel's leaders and army. Dave Rich did not care about that, every attack on Jews is grist to his mill.
Spot on Mr cook. Every word. Thank you for your humanity.
When the death toll reaches 160,000+ then I will consider listening to what zionists have to say. Until then I say FREE PALESTINE!
The Guardian went into a Jonathan Friedland style meltdown over the Bondi Beach attack. I wish they had treated every dead Palestinian that was murdered by the Israelis in the same manner.
The Guardian is sending us all a message: only certain groups of people matter in the grand scheme of things.
It’s utterly soul destroying, not to mention the destruction of International Law and a system of universal justice being so utterly trashed just to give legitimacy to the undeniable atrocities committed by Israel, live streamed from their own mouths. But to now see and understand the true extent to which Israel is prepared to go, in order that their narrative is the underlying truth and all others is some conspiracy against Jewish people cripples the possibility of free speech as well as all other democratic freedoms we’ve lived by throughout most of our lives.
I would have been astonished by the complicity of the BBC and the Guardian in using this horrific attack in an attempt to shut down criticism of a live on-going genocide; however, after over two years, this is now expected.
Why isn’t the courage and heroism of Ahmed L Ahmed shown on the front pages instead of “Jewish couple attempted to stop the gunmen before being slain?
Why is the fact that Netanyahu warned the Australian authorities this would happen not investigated? How did he know? What happened to investigative journalism? Who benefits from this attack? Why is the Israeli press trying to link this to Iran while at the same time an ISIS flag was found in the possession of the shooters? ISIS are Sunni Wahabists and have been supported by Western powers in Afghanistan and Yemen and they view Shia Iran and Yemen as apostates? Ask a few questions and the narrative crumbles. The people see through this.
Thank you Jonathan for your work, translated in French here : https://zanzibar.substack.com/p/bondi-beach-une-aubaine-pour-legitimer
Every sentence David Rich uttered in that article reeks of typical Zionist DARVO syndrome (deny attack reverse victim offender) well known tactics used by narcissists to defend their behaviour
Thank you for your comments to bring some rational thoughts to this situation
I don’t think it’s disingenuous to suggest that Rich may have already had that piece written just waiting for the appropriate media space.
Yes, Jonathan. Why are The Guardian publishing a piece which blames an act of terror on ordinary people who protest the slaughter of children, medical workers and journalists, the bombing of hospitals and the complicity of our governments in a genocide? Truly, terrorism doesn't happen in a vacuum. I have switched to The Nerve (founded by Carole Cadwalladr and other ex Guardian journalists), Novara Media and substackers like you for my news. As ever, 'thank you for your service' xx
Thanks for the heads up about The Nerve - looks fantastic. Subscribed!
yes never forgave the G for getting rid of best political caroonest ever in the shape of Steve Bell. The editers of G along with Freedland are a disgrace I STOPPED READING tHE G 3 yrs ago after 55 yrs reading it everyday