All posts by Jon Atkins

President Trump, security and the US–Australia alliance: TAI poll reveals more Australians prefer an independent foreign policy

The Australia Institute (TAI) surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,009 Australians about President Donald Trump, security and the US–Australia alliance. The result’s were published this week.  Continue reading President Trump, security and the US–Australia alliance: TAI poll reveals more Australians prefer an independent foreign policy

Universities’ definition of anti-Semitism destined to stifle fundamental freedoms and rights

Australia’s universities have announced that  they will adopt a new definition of antisemitism on campuses following the Senate’s Inquiry into Anti-Semitism at Australian Universities. The inquiry which received over 600 submissions, recommended that higher education providers “closely align” with the contested International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition.    Continue reading Universities’ definition of anti-Semitism destined to stifle fundamental freedoms and rights

President Trump announces plan to escalate ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip

President Trump meets Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu in the White House on Feb 4, 2025 to plan an escalation of ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Photo: Al Jazeera.

Since taking office on 20th January 2025, President Trump has issued dozens of executive orders and made numerous announcements in relation to foreign affairs and defence matters. His recent proposal on Gaza can be ranked as one of the most irresponsible and dangerous among these.  Continue reading President Trump announces plan to escalate ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip

Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli cancels visit to Belgium for fear of arrest

Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli

CLICK TO PLAY VIDEO

Israeli soldier Yuval Vagdani

President of the Hind Rajab Foundation, Dyab Abou Jahjah, has filed a criminal complaint in Belgium against Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism, for making terrorist threats against him.1 Continue reading Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli cancels visit to Belgium for fear of arrest

Ireland joins South Africa’s genocide case against Israel

Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin. Source: The New Arab.

Ireland has officially joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Continue reading Ireland joins South Africa’s genocide case against Israel

Israel bans UNRWA – part of a greater plan to expel Palestinians from the occupied territories

Photo: +972 Magazine – Kamal Adwan Hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday 31st October 2024 that Israeli legislation to shut down the main lifeline for Palestinians in Gaza Strip “will be deadly” if fully implemented.1 Continue reading Israel bans UNRWA – part of a greater plan to expel Palestinians from the occupied territories

Labor Premier Minns and NSW Police fail in bid to ban Free Palestine rallies

Protesters rallied outside the Supreme Court on October 4 where a hearing was underway to stop pro-Palestine rallies in Sydney. Photo: news.com.au

During the week leading up to planned Free Palestine-Free Lebanon rallies on October 6 and 7 in Sydney, both Labor Premier Chris Minns and the NSW Police set out to prevent the protests going ahead.  Continue reading Labor Premier Minns and NSW Police fail in bid to ban Free Palestine rallies

Blue Mountains War and Peace Forum

L to R: Nic Franklin, Vince Scappatura, Daryl Le Cornu and Kelly Marks.

The Blue Mountains Peace Collective (BMPC) held a public forum entitled War and Peace in the mid Blue Mountains town of Lawson on Sunday, September 15,  2024.1 Continue reading Blue Mountains War and Peace Forum

Marrickville protest calls for sanctions against Israel

Photo: John Janson-Moore

Over a hundred people joined a march organised by Stop the War on Palestine in Marrickville on Saturday 17th August 2024.

Participants initially gathered at Sydenham Station car park at 1.00pm before marching along Marrickville Road to PM Anthony Albanese’s electoral office in Marrickville. Other community groups that joined the march included Teachers and School Staff for Palestine and the Inner West for Palestine group.  Continue reading Marrickville protest calls for sanctions against Israel

Keating, AUKUS and America’s military control of Australia

Source: Sydney Criminal Lawyers

A short article by former prime minister Paul Keating entitled ‘AUKUS servility just one facet of poor governance’, published by Pearls and Irritations on 31st July 2024, refers to the dangerous strategic implications associated with the flawed AUKUS trilateral security pact. Continue reading Keating, AUKUS and America’s military control of Australia

ICJ rules Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful

Photo: New housing projects in the Israeli settlement of Givat Ze’ev in the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera / AP

On 19th July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down its ruling in the case formally known as Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East JerusalemContinue reading ICJ rules Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful

Australian Civil Society’s Stand Against Israel’s War on Gaza at the United Nations

Source: 2024 Conference of Civil Society Organisations working on the Question of Palestine / United Nations

The United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (the Committee) held a two-day conference in Geneva, Switzerland from 3-4 April 2024. The conference was entitled “Building Bridges with International Civil Society to Address the Ongoing Nakba”.1    Continue reading Australian Civil Society’s Stand Against Israel’s War on Gaza at the United Nations

NATO: Defence Alliance or War Alliance?

Source: Democracy Now!

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (NATO) Washington Summit was held from 9th to 11th July 2024. This summit marked the 75th anniversary of this nuclear armed military alliance which was founded on 4th April 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington D.C.

Continue reading NATO: Defence Alliance or War Alliance?

Senator Payman resigns from the Labor Party following its refusal to recognise Palestinian statehood

Source: ABC News (Australia)

At a press conference in the Australian Parliament on Thursday 4th July, Senator Fatima Payman announced her resignation from the Labor Party.

Senator Payman’s resignation followed her decision to support a motion by The Greens in the Senate on Tuesday 25th June which referred to “the need for the Senate to recognise the State of Palestine.”  Continue reading Senator Payman resigns from the Labor Party following its refusal to recognise Palestinian statehood

Noam Chomsky, renown philosopher, linguist and advocate of Palestinian rights, discharged from Sao Paulo hospital

Source: Democracy Now!

World renown philosopher, linguist and advocate of Palestinian rights, Noam Chomsky, now 95, was discharged from a hospital in Sao Paulo on 18th June. He will continue with his convalescence after suffering a stroke one year ago. The stroke impacted the right side of his body, as well as his ability to speak.  Continue reading Noam Chomsky, renown philosopher, linguist and advocate of Palestinian rights, discharged from Sao Paulo hospital