Shortcomings of mainstream media’s coverage of the illegal war on Iran

Graphic: Australian Media Bias Chart. Source: r/australia (Click to enlage).

Many of us who have long monitored Australia’s mainstream media bias in its coverage of Palestine and the Middle East are surprised at just how woeful the reporting has been on the illegal US-Israeli war on Iran.

Much of this coverage has been characterised by a failure to hold the government to account, using Orwellian euphemisms to hide ugly truths, distorting the facts and ignoring the historic record to name but a few shortcomings.  Continue reading Shortcomings of mainstream media’s coverage of the illegal war on Iran

Former US ambassador Chas Freeman’s analysis of the US-Israeli war on Iran

People run for safety as smoke rises after an air raid in central Tehran, March 5, 2026. Source: Al Jazeera.

Chas Freeman, former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia and former Assistant Secretary of Defense, has commented extensively on US-Israeli relations and on conflicts within the Middle East for many years

In a recent interview with Dialogue Works, an online news platform, he provided valuable insights into the US-Israel war on Iran, insights rarely found in the mainstream media’s coverage of the conflict.

Below is a summary of some key points made during that interview.  Continue reading Former US ambassador Chas Freeman’s analysis of the US-Israeli war on Iran

The US-Israeli war on Iran – the real objective

Minab in southern Iran showing the aftermath of a U.S. strike on an elementary girls’ school where at least 175 people, mostly children, were killed. Source: The Guardian.

Following the US-Israeli attack on Iran which began on 28th February, there has been much speculation as to what the goals of the aggressors really are and the extent to which Iran would retaliate.

Would it be a repeat of the 12 day war in June 2025 which primarily targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities or would it be a much more extensive assault aimed at assassinating the Iranian leadership and the disintegration of the entire Iranian state? Continue reading The US-Israeli war on Iran – the real objective

Bathurst holds protest rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia

Matt Williamson

Kaat Demaere

Cate McCarthy & Mick Moffitt

Around 100 people attended a protest rally in Bathurst on Monday 9 February against the visit to Australia by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The Bathurst rally coincided with up to 30 other rallies and marches across NSW that opposed the president’s visit.

Most media attention has focussed on the large Sydney Town Hall rally and associated police violence linked to severe restrictions imposed on the right to protest by the Minns state government.

However, together with city rallies, regional rallies, like the one in Bathurst, have also played an important part in galvanising public opposition to Herzog’s visit.  Continue reading Bathurst holds protest rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia

Protest Israeli President Herzog’s visit to Australia – 9th February 2026

Image: Khan Younis, Gaza. Inset: Isaac Herzog signing a bomb to be dropped on Gaza. Michael West Media.

Following the Bondi shootings on 14th December 2025, the Albanese government officially invited Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, to visit Australia. This superseded an earlier invitation to the president issued by the Zionist Federation of Australia.

A spokesperson for President Herzog has confirmed that he plans to travel between 8th and 12th February and will meet with members of the Jewish community.

Opposition

Predictably, this official invitation has provoked widespread opposition, both within Labor ranks and the community at large.  Continue reading Protest Israeli President Herzog’s visit to Australia – 9th February 2026

U.S. military forcibly removes President Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela

Sydney Town Hall rally against US actions in Venezuela, Sunday 4th January 2026. Banner translation: TRUMP KILLER!! OUT OF VENEZUELA. Demonstrators called on the Albanese government to condemn the US intervention. Source: 7News Australia.

In the early hours of Saturday 3rd January 2026, the U.S. military carried out a high-intensity operation in Venezuela that involved air strikes targeting military and civilian sites in at least four states, namely Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.

It has been reported that the operation involved more than 150 aircraft launched from 20 bases around the Western Hemisphere, including F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, and B-1 bombers.

During the military operation, President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were abducted by a U.S. special operations squad called Delta Force from a heavily fortified compound in the capital and subsequently flown to New York city where they are being held in custody. They have been indicted on a number of alleged charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns.  Continue reading U.S. military forcibly removes President Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela

The targeted attack on Jewish people in Bondi and its aftermath

SBS News – Mourners have placed flowers and other tributes at Bondi Pavilion since last Sunday’s attack. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

The targeted attack on Jewish people during the first day of a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday 14th December 2025 has been condemned by a wide range of community leaders and organisations, political parties and humanitarian agencies.  Continue reading The targeted attack on Jewish people in Bondi and its aftermath

Israeli violence surges across northern occupied West Bank

Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian man during a military operation in the town of Qalqilya, in the occupied West Bank on December 4, 2025 [AFP].
In its latest humanitarian update, the UN relief co-ordination office, OCHA, reported a spike in Israeli military raids and settler violence across the occupied West Bank which is causing new displacements, school closures and disrupting essential services for tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Between 25th November and 1st December, four Palestinians, including one child, were killed by Israeli forces, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank so far this year to 227.  Continue reading Israeli violence surges across northern occupied West Bank

“This is still a genocide that’s been disguised as a ceasefire” warns Australian doctor

Gaza killings continue reports Australian doctor. Photos: ABC

During a ABC NewsRadio interview on 18th November 2025. an Australian emergency doctor working with Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières or MSF) in Gaza, reported that the “Israeli Defence Forces and the Israeli authorities continue restricting aid, continue killing Palestinians and continue removing the conditions that are needed for life.”

She stressed “this is still a genocide that’s been disguised as a ceasefire”. Continue reading “This is still a genocide that’s been disguised as a ceasefire” warns Australian doctor

Protests at the Indo Pacific Weapons Expo 2025

Greens MLC Sue Higginson at the Indo Pacific Weapons Expo. Photo: Peter Boyle

The biennial Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition, also referred to as the Indo Pacific Weapons Expo, was held from 4th to 6th November at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour.

Principal sponsors of this weapons expo were the NSW government and Investment NSW. Continue reading Protests at the Indo Pacific Weapons Expo 2025

Israeli political leaders have not changed their policy aim of ethnically cleansing Palestinians from their land

Thousands of Palestinians return back to their homes in Gaza Strip. Image: Associated Press

In the following interview with Democracy Now! – an independent and not-for-profit American TV, radio, and Internet news program – Israeli historian and author Ilan Pappé discusses the post-genocidal prospects of Palestinian statehood.

He also considers the future of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is under investigation for corruption in Israel and subject to an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.  Continue reading Israeli political leaders have not changed their policy aim of ethnically cleansing Palestinians from their land

Petition: Launch a Parliamentary Inquiry into AUKUS

Australia has an opportunity to get out of the AUKUS security pact. We should take it. 

The Trump Administration has announced a review of AUKUS, joining the UK in reviewing the joint security pact. Australia now has real chance to escape this disastrous deal, which has not been properly scrutinised by the Australian Parliament.

AUKUS ties us ever closer to an increasingly volatile and aggressive America.

We ask the Albanese Government to prioritise Australia’s interests and security, and to join the UK and the US Governments in undertaking an independent parliamentary inquiry into the AUKUS security pact. 

✍️ Add your name to the petition

Sign Open Letter to Defence Minister Richard Marles MP – Cancel all military exports to Israel now

Image: Sydney Criminal Lawyers

The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) has sent an open letter to Defence Minister Richard Marles MP urging an end to Australia’s complicity and export of military exports including weapon parts to Israel, all of which contribute to Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

MPG encourages the signing of this open letter and its wide circulation amongst family, friends and networks.

The open letter can be signed here.

More information

Prof. Ben Saul, Interview with Sally Sara on Radio National Breakfast, ABC, Aug 15, 2025.
Tom McIlroy, ‘Marles insists Australia ‘not supplying weapons to Israel’ but critics argue ‘parts of weapons are weapons’’, The Guardian, Aug 10, 2025.

Israel massacres 22 civilians in missile strikes on the Nasser hospital in southern Gaza

People and rescuers work to recover the body of Palestinian cameraman Hussam al-Masri, who was a contractor for Reuters, after he was killed by an Israeli strike on Nasser hospital. Photo: Hatem Khaled/Reuters.

A total of 22 civilians were killed by Israeli missile strikes on the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Monday 25 August 2025.

Those massacred included five journalists, three hospital staff, one doctor, a civil defense worker, and one child, 14-year-old Rayan Omar Mahmoud Abu Omar. More than fifty others were injured as a result of missile strikes carried out with full knowledge of the civilian presence.  Continue reading Israel massacres 22 civilians in missile strikes on the Nasser hospital in southern Gaza

Bathurst rally demands an end to ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza

Bathurst rally and march – 24 August 2025. Photo: Jon Atkins

Over 200 people attended a pro-Palestinian rally at Morse Park in Bathurst on Sunday 24th August 2025.

The event was part of the Nationwide March for Palestine which was held in over 40 cities and towns across the country.  Continue reading Bathurst rally demands an end to ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza