Editor’s Note

WORDS: Brian Usher PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Recent events in Israel on October 7th have stunned the world. The brutality and disrespect for human life by the Hamas terrorist organization has gone to a whole new level leaving the nation of Israel in shock that such atrocities could be performed by fellow human beings on the Israeli people.

A world away in multicultural Australia life goes on, we enjoy the summer sun and beautiful beaches living in relative peaceful harmony as we go about our daily lives.  Australia is a glowing example of a functioning multicultural society. What is happening in Gaza leaves me wondering how it came to this. Gaza has been turned into nothing more than a war zone from one end to the other. Hamas have poked the bear knowing full well that such atrocities would bring down a response from Israel of biblical proportions.

My dear friend Adam Simons’ children were in Israel when all of this occurred, and through good fortune, they changed their minds at the last minute and didn’t go to the festival in the desert, where hundreds were killed or taken hostage. This has brought the conflict front and centre for me and my family.

The deep-seated hatred that exists in the Middle East for the Israeli people and the antisemitism is intergenerational. Children are brought up to hate the Jewish people. The whole antisemitic thing leaves me somewhat mystified. I struggle to understand it and can see no reason for the persecution of the Jewish people. They are a peaceful race but will defend themselves as you would under such brutal circumstances.

Israel will not stop until Hamas has been run out of town. The world can condemn them for their military response, but this is without doubt what Hamas knew would happen and wanted. The horrifying video footage that media agencies in the West have seen but cannot televise showing rape and murder, beheadings, executions and mutilated babies leaves no doubt that Hamas wanted to incite Israel, ignite their military machine and stir up conflict with other Islamic states that surround the state of Israel. All this has come to pass.

Some would call what is happening in the Middle East at the moment ‘biblical prophecy’ but one thing I do know, they are not going to kiss and make up any day soon. This has been going on for thousands of years. One thing for sure is we don’t want this madness and hate to get a foothold here in Australia. Let’s live in peace, love each other, embrace our differences and show the world you can live in harmony if you try.