IN THE MEDIA

Letter: Two states our vision

Mar 12, 2014 | Colin Rubenstein

The Australian published an edited version of this letter today – 12 March 2014:

John Lyons, in “Distant ‘experts’ choose to ignore Israeli realities” (8/3/2014), did not address any of the substantive criticism levelled at his Four Corners programme. Instead, he made new unsubstantiated allegations directed at critics.

Far from “ignoring Israeli realities”, AIJAC has always sought to bring authoritative analyses of this reality before the Australian public, including a detailed examination of Four Corners. Not one of our criticisms has been rebutted, so it is unsurprising that senior journalist Greg Sheridan used this resource. Readers can do the same and judge Lyons’ journalism for themselves.

AIJAC has consistently argued that a negotiated two-state settlement is the only path to genuine peace in the narrow strip of land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean – thus fulfilling the desire of all parents there to give their children a secure and fulfilling future free from terrorism and war.

Yet Lyons vilifies us as holding “extremely hardline positions on Israel” and being part of “Melbourne guys” who someone said can “declare a fatwa”.

Lyons cites a politician who accused us of having misguided priorities, yet AIJAC’s National Chairperson had already published, in this paper, a point by point rebuttal of this false charge.

Sheridan and others have documented that racists and bigots are using the Four Corners programme to rationalise grubby interventions in public debate. It is disappointing that Lyons belittles these concerns rather than using the numerous opportunities provided him to condemn the racists.

Colin Rubenstein, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, South Melbourne, Vic

 

 

Tags:

RELATED ARTICLES


Aijac 16 9

AIJAC’s full comments to ABC Radio National “Breakfast” regarding the UN’s Nakba Day

May 23, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Image: Shutterstock

Nuclear menace underscores Iran’s attacks on Israel

May 15, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Image: Alamy

War in Gaza: Another round of violence with no end in sight

May 11, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Image: Shutterstock

Denying Jewish history will not help Palestinians

May 8, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Current “Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories” Francesca Albanese (Image: Shutterstock)

A truly “special” Special Rapporteur

May 8, 2023 | Featured, In the media
Image: Shutterstock

A remarkable achievement, but still much more to do

Apr 28, 2023 | Featured, In the media

SIGN UP FOR AIJAC EMAILS

RECENT POSTS

Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders attend a meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader in Teheran, Iran (Image via Iran’s Supreme Leader’s website)

Essay: A New Multifront Strategy?

Erdogan vs. Kilicdaroglu: The former looks all but guaranteed to win a second round on May 29 (Image: Tolga Ildun/ Shutterstock)

What does Turkey’s election mean for Israel?

Netanyahu (right), with Defence Minister Gallant (top left), IDF Chief of Staff Halevi (bottom left) and other security officials (Image: GPO/ Flickr)

Israeli politics after “Shield and Arrow”

Biblio File: A Bob One Way

A scene from the movie BlacKkKlansman, which recalls an era of Blacks and Jews making common cause

Europa Europa: Antisemitism is its own thing

Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders attend a meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader in Teheran, Iran (Image via Iran’s Supreme Leader’s website)

Essay: A New Multifront Strategy?

Erdogan vs. Kilicdaroglu: The former looks all but guaranteed to win a second round on May 29 (Image: Tolga Ildun/ Shutterstock)

What does Turkey’s election mean for Israel?

Netanyahu (right), with Defence Minister Gallant (top left), IDF Chief of Staff Halevi (bottom left) and other security officials (Image: GPO/ Flickr)

Israeli politics after “Shield and Arrow”

Biblio File: A Bob One Way

A scene from the movie BlacKkKlansman, which recalls an era of Blacks and Jews making common cause

Europa Europa: Antisemitism is its own thing

SORT BY TOPICS