Governments sustain power by weakening democratic debate and eroding principles of human rights and international law.

A government preoccupied with discipline, such as Anthony Albanese’s, likes to exercise control, expects conformity and, even in a democracy, finds it difficult to tolerate dissent. It is also stifling and cruel.

The Prime Minister’s response to the Israel-United States war with Iran is part of this consensus narrative.

Ready to believe whatever Benjamin Netanyahu or Donald Trump said, Albanese rushed to proclaim that Australia would support anything they decided to do. For years, his government has shown itself to be a loyal ally of Israel and the US’ genocide in Gaza.

After Trump raged about Iran attacking civilisation, some Labor MPs might have asked publicly what he meant by “evil” and what is his version of “civilization”?

But conformity with the US does not allow such questions — especially as “civilized” Israel murdered close to 200 Iranian school girls.

Displays of cruelty to appear strong have added to the “consensus” even as Labor  mutters mateship and, in the case of the PM, wants to encourage kindness by turning down the political temperature.

But that quality — kindness — needs exceptions, in particular concerning the women and their children marooned in the Syrian al-Roj camp. The PM rejected their desire to return to Australia because, he said as he recalled his mother’s........

© Green Left Weekly