Letters: Canada's 'turn' in the terrorist lottery is coming |
Readers comment on the Bondi Beach massacre; floor crossings in Parliament; the diss from DeSantis; plus more in the letters to the editor
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Re: Bondi terror gunman charged with 15 counts of murder — Dec. 17
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his government have blood on their hands. Jewish blood. The blood of 15 Jewish citizens — and countless others seriously injured. The result of gun violence unleashed by an Islamist father-and-son duo on Bondi Beach. An Islamist man who had lived in the country for years … and his Australian-born son, who had at one point come to the attention of Australia’s domestic intelligence agency, which then dismissed its concerns. The father was legally in possession of six guns.
Australia, along with Canada and a host of other countries, have passively “hosted” two years of pro-Palestinian/Hamas marches, virulent antisemitism, calls for the eradication of Israel, and acts of intimidation and violence against Jewish people, places of worship, businesses and residential areas. “Hate laws” are on the books. Acts of blatant hatred towards Jews, however, have been — overwhelmingly, shamefully — not acted upon. Is it surprising that the slaughter of innocents celebrating Hanukkah would be the result of ignoring — and “normalizing” — widespread antisemitism?
This newsletter tackles hot topics with boldness, verve and wit. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.
PMs Albanese and Canada’s Mark Carney have something else in common. They both shamelessly declared support for a “Palestinian State,” despite the utter lack of anything resembling a “state” to be supported in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, just a population seemingly content to obey the Hamas terrorists in their midst. Acts of unspeakable barbarity against 1,200 innocent Israelis, 200-plus hostages taken on October 7, 2023? Obviously not an issue for Carney and Albanese.
Australia now has to deal with a terrible — heretofore unacknowledged — reality of what happens when a certain segment of the population is pandered to, and when Jewish citizens are left to deal with growing hatred and violence, ignored and unprotected by their governments. Canada’s “turn” in the terrorist lottery is coming. Where and when yet to be determined. But guaranteed there are people in this country plotting and planning a dramatic “statement” in support of their ideology.
When the Canadian version occurs, we can expect the usual statements of shock and outrage from our leaders. Followed by “thoughts and prayers” for the victims, their families, friends and communities. Then followed by predictable calls for restraint, peace and unity. And then, of course, calls for tighter gun controls.
Appeasement never works. Did we not learn that after two world wars? The forces of evil have come in many guises over the centuries. They have to be faced … and then fought.
Barbara Jessiman, Calgary
Once again, world leaders are mourning murdered Jews while doing far too little to protect the lives of living Jews. As a Jew, I do not want the prime minister’s praise for our community’s resilience. I want to be safe.
When the Bondi massacre fades from the news, what concrete action will the government of Canada take? If the past is any indication, not nearly enough.
Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons, retired five months ago after pressing both government and the public to take antisemitism more seriously. Yet no successor — or even an interim envoy — has been appointed. In that context, the prime minister’s reaffirmation of his commitment to fighting antisemitism lacks credibility.
Canada can do better.
Harvey Goldberg, Former Senior Adviser, Canadian Human Rights Commission, Ottawa
If your reaction to........