Protests beg the question if Herzog’s visit was a good idea

NSW Premier Chris Minns will grant police more powers to deal with protesters, as PM Anthony Albanese naively says Israeli President Isaac Herzog is a ceremonial head of state unconnected to Israel’s acts against Palestinians (“Albanese defends Herzog visit as Minns invokes rare police powers”, February 8). If Governor-General Sam Mostyn had made the statements Herzog is attributed with, she would hardly be labelled a “ceremonial” head. Pleasingly, she stays apolitical. When so many Australians protest against a visit we do not need to sponsor, does no one in government think they might have got it wrong? When it all goes pear-shaped, don’t blame the people protesting – blame those who thoughtlessly invited further division into our fragile society. Brian Barrett, Padstow

Correspondent Shameel Durham asks why the president of a foreign country, Israel, has been invited to commemorate Australian lives (Letters, February 7). If the Greek community here was hit by tragedy, for example, they would no doubt appreciate a visit by a leader from the Greek state. The same would go for our other multicultural communities, except those who fled tyrannical regimes. And no one would bat an eyelid. Visiting foreign dignitaries are often rapturously welcomed by Australians who share their ethnicity. So, when tragedy befalls our Jewish community, we appreciate support from the president of the Jewish state. But somehow that is portrayed as concerning, divisive, and as demonstrating divided loyalties. This is yet another example of the double standards that constantly affect our Jewish community. Alan Shroot, Forrest (ACT)

Peter Hartcher tries to provide a balanced look at Isaac Herzog’s visit (“Fury or solidarity? It’s your choice”, 7 February). In seeking to cultivate ties between Israel and Jewish people everywhere, Herzog only confuses the issue of responsibility for the devastation in Gaza. Since Vietnam, and probably before, Australians have questioned the morality of conflict where the choice to deliberately decimate civilian populations is seen as an acceptable military option. If we can agree on one thing, let it be that ordinary civilians everywhere should be able to live in peace and freedom from fear, whoever they are and whatever their beliefs. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls

If Herzog really wants to nurture better relations with Australia, he will have to somehow magically erase from our memories the images of destruction in Gaza, the thousands of dead and the continuing illegal settler incursions into the West Bank. Barry Lamb, Eastwood

Former Appeal Court Judge David Harper suggests Herzog’s visit should at least include a gesture of reconciliation (“President Herzog is welcome to visit. While he’s here, Israel has questions to answer”, February 7). Here’s one question for Israel: why is it spraying carcinogenic glyphosate over crops in southern Lebanon, as claimed by numerous sources and backed up with video footage and laboratory tests? And here is a question for Australia: why are we hosting this man while that kind of inhumane behaviour continues? Julius Timmerman, Lawson

Stuart Fox of Balmain asks those protesting during Herzog’s visit not to feign ignorance of the Gaza conflict’s origins (Letters, February 7). This implies that the conflict began on October 7, 2023. That is ignorance of the highest order. Picking an arbitrary date for the start of any conflict is rather difficult, but this one goes back a lot further than Fox says. Whatever the case, Israel has continually tried to write Palestinians out of the region. Apparently, it was all empty before they got there, which was a surprise to the people already living there. Tony Sullivan, Islington

Minns and Albanese should be thanked for their panicky comments and actions on Monday’s planned protest rally over Herzog’s visit. Deploying 500 police at Sydney CBD will ensure the rally is as high-profile and successful as last year’s Harbour Bridge march. Peter Juocys, Rooty Hill

Hamas’ grave insult

As Hamas used the Gaza War Cemetery to launch missiles from a tunnel running beneath it (“Anzac War graves in Gaza to be restored”, February 6), your correspondents should also be calling on Hamas to help pay for restoration works (Letters, February 7). Among the hundreds of allied soldiers buried in the two Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries severely damaged in the recent Gaza war are nine Jews, including two Australians. They all gave their lives to defeat the Ottoman and Axis powers in World Wars I and II, leading to the UN creation of Arab and Jewish states from the British Mandate of Palestine, but rejected by the Arabs in 1948 and since. Tragically, it seems that none of those men will be able to rest in peace until that plan is fulfilled. Peter Allen, Castle Cove

Your correspondents are appalled by Israel destroying Australian war graves in Gaza (Letters, February 7), but as your report on the matter stated, Hamas had dug a tunnel under them and located a rocket launcher there, meaning the destruction was Hamas’ fault. As your correspondent says, this destruction was a microcosm of Gaza. Hamas illegally uses civilian structures or areas for its military purposes. Consequently, Israel attacks them as the laws of war entitle it to do. And despite international law deeming Hamas responsible, as the party that illegally used the civilian facility for its military, Israel gets the blame. It sums up the Gaza war perfectly. Robbie Gore, Brighton East (Vic)

Fewer people, fewer problems

Ultimately, there’s only one thing that causes unchecked suburban sprawl, and that is unsustainable population growth (“Warning on Sydney’s new sprawl into urban deserts”, February 7). If we grew our country’s population at a slower, more sustainable level, the country would have fewer problems. But, of course, because the likes of Pauline Hanson and other right-wing groups want to reduce immigration for the wrong reasons, we can’t have an honest, courageous debate about it for the right reasons. The article talks about “cash-strapped councils”. It seems to me that every government department, and a vast number of Australia’s population, are also cash-strapped. It’s a tragedy for this country that the left can’t frame a proper, courageous argument on population growth, and therefore immigration, simply because the right has hijacked the issue. High population growth is hurting this country in many ways, most importantly the environment and housing. The Left needs to take control of the debate. Andrew Cronin, Robertson

There really needs to be a redirection of funding and influence from the state government to regional local governments. In Anthony Segaert’s article about urban sprawl, Blacktown City Council chief executive Kerry Robinson points to the state government classifying pools, libraries, meeting places et cetera as non-essential infrastructure in the aim of growing housing. So no reading, playgroups or meeting places for residents living in the far reaches of our cities. If these facilities aren’t essential, may I suggest all these same facilities in more inner suburbs be converted to housing sites as well? Jill Napier, Phegans Bay

Past cast aside

The proposal to sell off Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to make way for new housing makes me very sad (“Selling our barracks is not a defence strategy – it’s surrender”, February 7). More of our colonial past is being destroyed. When the ads for NSW rail holidays first appeared, I felt sceptical that anyone would want to see country towns. Now I realise these are places where beautiful colonial buildings have faithfully been preserved. The old shopfronts, churches and public buildings, and of course the pubs, are a visual delight. Judith Rostron, Killarney Heights

It seems the Coalition has reformed (“Liberals and Nationals have reunited as the Coalition after a 17-day split”, February 8). For me, and I suspect for many others, this is not a good thing for either the country or particularly the Liberal Party. Although the existence of a strong opposition is desirable, the Coalition will never be a united team and therefore will never benefit the country. As in the past, the Nationals will bully and threaten the Liberals into accepting their policies as Coalition policy. So net zero will be forgotten, there will be a climate change denial theme to the major policies and, of course, nuclear energy will be on the table again. Who knows what their immigration policy details will be, but you can be sure it will be discriminatory and right wing. The Coalition will never be competitive at election time with the Nationals dominating policy decisions. So Sussan Ley, please get back to David Littleproud and say “thanks, but no thanks” and lead the Liberals back to relevance with modern, sensible and moderate policies. The Nationals can go to the back benches where, to be honest, their members and policies belong. Ken Butler, Mount Colah

Whether or not the contrasting priorities within the Liberal and National parties can be reconciled remains to be seen. But to win back voters, a bitter pill has to be swallowed. Sooner or later, both the Liberal and National parties will have to concede that climate change is clearly devastating our environment, from our sun-scorched farmlands to our sweltering cities. Something concrete has to be done immediately. We must begin to shift our economy away from a dependence on fossil fuel exports to more advanced, sustainable industries. There are times when what is best for the nation must rise above cheap partisan politics. Bruce Spence, Balmain

It seems that a last-minute deal will bring unwilling partners in the Liberal-National coalition back together again. David Littleproud has insisted that he and his party have “been consistent all the way”. Hardly. It’s only recently that he indicated that the party he leads couldn’t serve under Sussan Ley. His latest decision is anything but consistent. He has very little to be proud of. Derrick Mason, Boorowa

Littleproud says the Coalition split was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s fault. Even Donald Trump would be impressed with that attempt at gaslighting. Why own your mistakes when you can blame someone else, no matter how bizarre it sounds? Graham Lum, North Rocks

So the donkey has been gaffer-taped to the Shetland pony in a desperate six-legged move to win the election race. Getting the two jockeys to face the same way will be a difficult job for the stewards. Dave Watts, Avalon

In breaking news, Sussan Ley has reattached the tail so it can continue to wag the dog. Pauline Hanson is laughing even harder. Mark Kilminster, Castle Hill

Trump’s new low

Donald Trump’s outrageous boasting of how he could sexually assault women because of his celebrity status and his ability to shoot someone on Fifth Avenue without consequence didn’t prevent him becoming president. Once successful in gaining that seat of power, Trump has so sullied the dignity and decorum historically associated with the office of the presidency and he has become so enveloped in his own invincibility that he believes he can do, say or post on social media whatever pops into his head. And so he does (“President’s horrific post exposes another dangerous detail”, February 8). Believing in his own greatness, Trump is testament to Lord Acton’s dictum: “Power tends to corrupt absolutely and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” Mary Carde, Parrearra (Qld)

The image of the Obamas depicted as monkeys on Trump’s Truth Social site is as despicable as his press secretary lying about its source. Surely Karoline Leavitt deserves the Pinocchio Porky Pie Award of the century. We can only wonder how she and her boss sleep at night. Richard Stewart, Pearl Beach

If MAGA insults the Obamas by depicting them as apes, it follows that on the evolutionary ladder, Trump rates as a paramecium. Andrew Mitterdorfer, Auburn

Boo who?

The Winter Olympics are just starting and there is already a controversy over booing (Milano Cortina 2026, February 7). During sports contests, most booing (which shouldn’t happen anyway) is directed at the opposition team or the umpires. Now it’s being directed at US Vice President JD Vance, who as a representative of the Trump team, really does deserve to be booed. Hopefully, this is the last negative from these games. Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill (Vic)

Through the roof

I am in awe of the powers that be, who, having conned us into installing a “free power system” (solar and batteries), now want to punish those who did so by implementing a new network charge (“The power bill charge that will sting low-earners $200 more”, February 8). So much for saving the planet. David Sayers, Gwandalan

Power of Letters

It’s good to know that my letters to the Herald have such influence. A few weeks ago, I wrote and criticised governments for not enforcing e-bike regulations, and now they’re having a crackdown (“Police given power to ‘seize and crush’ illegal e-bikes in government crackdown”, February 8). About time. To all fellow readers, if you’d like me to write a letter addressing your particular gripe, contact me via the Herald (removes tongue from cheek). Keith Binns, Goulburn

The NSW government is preparing to confiscate and crush illegal, high-powered e-bikes. Considering that the Ukrainian army uses e-bikes in their defence against Russia, perhaps we should offer to donate the confiscated bikes to Ukraine. Alan Nicholas, Sandringham

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