Reflections on Anzac Day 2026, Marrickville Peace Park.
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Over 100 people from a wide range of backgrounds and age groups attended this year’s Reflections on Anzac Day. As in previous years, the event was held in Richardson’s Lookout – Marrickville Peace Park. This was the eighth time that the event has been held in the Peace Park since 2016. Continue reading Reflections on Anzac Day – 25th April 2026
All posts by Jon Atkins
UN expert warns torture has become ‘state doctrine’ in Israel, making prisons instruments of torture and ill-treatment
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On 24th March 2026, Francesca Albanese presented her latest findings on the Occupied Palestinian Territories to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Albanese has served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 1st May 2022.
This was her eighth report to the Human Rights Council, the fifth documenting the ongoing genocide by Israel against the Palestinian people. Continue reading UN expert warns torture has become ‘state doctrine’ in Israel, making prisons instruments of torture and ill-treatment
Former US ambassador Chas Freeman’s analysis of the US-Israeli war on Iran
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
Shortcomings of mainstream media’s coverage of the illegal war on Iran
In Australia, the mainstream media’s coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has persistently been criticised for prioritising Israeli narratives, lacking historical context and using terms that obscure the scale of Palestinan civilian casualties.
Unsurprisingly, much of the mainstream media’s coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran has also been afflicted by a range of shortcomings. These include:
– a failure to hold the government to account
– using Orwellian euphemisms to hide ugly truths
– distorting the facts, and
– ignoring the historic record. Continue reading Shortcomings of mainstream media’s coverage of the illegal war on Iran
The US-Israeli war on Iran – the real objective
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
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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
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
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
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
Protests at the Indo Pacific Weapons Expo 2025
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
Israel massacres 22 civilians in missile strikes on the Nasser hospital in southern Gaza
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
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
Peace Symposium held in Katoomba – 2nd August 2025
Despite very wintry conditions, around 150 people attended the inaugural Peace Symposium in Katoomba on Saturday 2nd August 2025. The event was jointly hosted by the Blue Mountains Peace Collective and Blue Mountains Council’s Planetary Health Initiative.1 Continue reading Peace Symposium held in Katoomba – 2nd August 2025
Ex-ambassadors urge PM Albanese to recognise Palestinian state
Fifteen former ambassadors and diplomats, plus a former Consul-General, have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urging him to declare the government’s support for the creation and recognition of a Palestinian state without delay. Continue reading Ex-ambassadors urge PM Albanese to recognise Palestinian state
Australia’s legal profession calls on Australian Government to implement 10 urgent actions to help end Israel’s genocide in Gaza
Condemnation of Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza is continuing to grow both in Australia and around the world.
On 7 May 2025, more than 20 independent experts linked to the UN’s Human Rights Council said that the world faced a “stark decision” to “remain passive and witness the slaughter of innocents or take part in crafting a just resolution”. The experts implored the international community to avert the “moral abyss we are descending into.”1
More recently on the 9 May 2025, over 700 members of Australia’s legal profession signed a letter expressing their “profound concerns about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza” and urged the Australian government “to do everything it can to end the hostilities and protect innocent civilians from further death, destruction, famine and plausible genocide.” Continue reading Australia’s legal profession calls on Australian Government to implement 10 urgent actions to help end Israel’s genocide in Gaza