Twitter no more than a tool for taking on tyrants
February 21, 2011 | Daniel Meyerowitz-Katz
WITH the fall of Hosni Mubarak and Egypt’s supposed transition to democracy, the buzz on everyone’s lips has been the role of new media in the mass protests. Commentators around Australia and the globe have been heralding the arrival of technology as a cure for any political ailment.
Integration the key to multicultural success
February 18, 2011 | Colin Rubenstein
Australian multiculturalism is a policy that has served us well and, properly weighted between our rights and responsibilities, can further help us resolve pressing social challenges. If revitalised and renewed, it will continue to benefit Australia’s harmony, diversity and cohesion.
Hitting terrorist organisations in the wallet
February 18, 2011
Nitsana Darshan-Leitner has dedicated her life to fighting terrorism her way: using courts around the world to bankrupt terrorist organisations and disrupt the flow of funds from rogue states.
Egypt boils over
February 4, 2011 | Tzvi Fleischer
Egypt has long been the centre of the Arab world. The unrest there could re-draw the map and place all Arab despots at risk. What would replace them is impossible to know. However, at the very least, their fall would grant an immense short-term boost to the forces of Middle East Islamist extremism as represented mainly by Iran and its allies.
Potholes in Mayor’s plan
January 17, 2011 | Anthony Orkin
In addition to dealing with the needs of locals, the majority of Marrickville Councillors have determined that they will dive headlong into complex Middle East issues, in the process contravening Australian foreign policy and undermining all those who are working to promote a better future for Israelis, Palestinians and others.
Co-operation, not collision, with Israel is the only route out for the Palestinian Authority
January 13, 2011 | Daniel Meyerowitz-Katz
A worrying trend from the Palestinian Diaspora has infiltrated the PA leadership – the idea of cutting ties and cooperation with Israel. This has manifested itself both as an attempt to boycott Israel and thus cut economic and social ties, as well as eschewing negotiations in favour of a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood.
Iran ought to be disqualified from the UN Women committee
November 10, 2010 | Daniel Meyerowitz-Katz
To many, it would seem like a bizarre joke to suggest that Iran should put its hand up for a position on the proposed new United Nations entity, UN Women to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Union sanctions not helping the Palestinians
October 18, 2010 | Bren Carlill
The upcoming BDS resolution at the ACTU is both sad and absurd. All Australian unionists in favour of Israeli-Palestinian peace will either vote against the resolution, or unwittingly prolong the conflict.
Creativity and realism required for success in Middle East talks
September 3, 2010 | Colin Rubenstein
YESTERDAY in Washington, President Barack Obama formally launched the resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians after a 19-month hiatus. International expectations for the talks are low because there appear to be a number of factors that make peace breakthroughs seem unlikely. Yet other factors offer room for cautious optimism for modest progress.
Iran “vulnerable” to sanctions
July 29, 2010
IRAN is much more vulnerable to pressure than the West realises, and ratcheting up the pressure with sanctions may halt its nuclear weapons program, according to an Israeli specialist on Iran. The European Union’s history with Iran taught it that it could mock the West, but sanctions passed on Monday had real teeth, Emanuele Ottolenghi of the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies said in Melbourne yesterday.
