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Sydney Morning Herald

West turning a blind eye to Israel's nuclear arms

Amin Saikal makes a compelling case of hypocrisy by Israel (' Hypocrisy of Israel's nuclear arsenal ', June 20). Israel's actions, of course, are its own; but can someone please explain to me why its possession of a nuclear arsenal is accepted without demur by other Western powers, yet any suggestion that Iran do likewise is met with doomsday outrage? And if just the possibility of Iran having a nuclear capability can provoke the pre-emptive attack and the sabre-rattling that's going on at the moment by Israel and the US, why didn't the same shrill response come from them and the rest of the big boys' club when North Korea, India and Pakistan similarly armed themselves? There's far more hypocrisy going around than just Israel's. Adrian Connelly, Springwood Surely there is a PhD in explaining why lies and liars prosper so well in Western politics. And yes, liars are elsewhere, but we always claim to be better. We went to war in Iraq with no evidence of weapons of mass destruction and there were none. Now we are told that Iran was about to produce atomic weapons and yet the UN advisers say it's not true. Israel has 91 nuclear weapons, according to most experts, which it is not supposed to have. The nose of the man in the White House continues to grow by the minute. Philip Dowle, Wickham Iran hasn't invaded a country in 250 years, but we're told it's so aggressive and irrational that it 'can't have a nuclear weapon' and offensive military action is necessary to stop this. Norman Broomhall, Port Macquarie I am so afraid, I don't want to even watch the current news bulletins. What a terrifyingly parlous state the world is in, with its leaders pathetically sitting on their hands, waiting for a megalomaniac to make his mind up on whether to bomb the Iranian nuclear facility in Fordow. Worse, this huge decision he promises will be last minute, with no clear indication it will achieve the desired successful outcome. It's more likely to be the harbinger for a third world war. Yet he says he is more loved than ever by his adoring followers. Elizabeth Kroon, Randwick Israel is one of the few Middle Eastern countries where gay, lesbian, trans, and other queer people are safe, from imprisonment, torture, and/or beheading. Howard Hutchins, Wantirna (Vic) Gaza deaths continue While the world has been focused on Iran, Israel continues its killing of Palestinians in Gaza. Over 400 have been killed since aid deliveries returned at the end of May (' Gaza carnage goes on as missiles fly ', June 20). Many deaths have occurred while people have been queuing for aid. Deaths will continue to mount if more aid is not forthcoming. Desperate, starving people will risk death through the interception of aid trucks. More aid is required through reputable aid organisations, not the US and Israel-backed GHF. How can we continue to deny that genocide is taking place in Gaza, when it is clear that Israel is focused on destroying Palestinians either via bombs and gunfire or through starvation? Wake up, world. Robyn Thomas, Wahroonga While Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel refused to discuss proof of Iran's nuclear weapon capability on ABC TV on Thursday night, far more shocking was her denial that any starvation problem exists in Gaza. The Israeli government clearly lives on another planet. Alynn Pratt, Grenfell In an interview on the ABC, the Israeli deputy foreign minister said, while rolling her eyes, there was no starvation or famine in Gaza. How can this government be trusted when it comes to the truth? Talk about alternative facts. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown Meeting expectations There should be no debate on the usefulness of Anthony Albanese's attendance at the NATO meeting (' Subs and snubs: PM's NATO dilemma ', June 20). In this increasingly insecure time, personal interaction of the saner world leaders is essential. If Albanese scores a one-on-one meeting with Donald Trump, his attendance could be a big success. There is no guarantee Trump will agree definitively to either tariff changes or the continuation of AUKUS. However, nothing will be gained without a determined effort by Albanese. Geoff Harding, Chatswood Isolationist Trump Trump failed the leadership test again with his 'drama queen' exit from the G7 summit (Letters, June 20). He gave up the opportunity of engaging with other world leaders on how best to deal with the ongoing conflicts. Albanese was criticised by lazy commentators for not being able to meet Trump, when they should have complimented him on the dignified way he responded to Trump's rudeness. If others choose to chase after Trump like adoring fans and be humiliated by him, so be it. It's been suggested that the real reason for Trump's early departure was the cold reception he received from the other leaders and the risk of further humiliating himself. He had already made a fool of himself by praising Vladimir Putin and criticising allies. Also, he is probably still smarting from the massive 'No Kings' protest and the boycotting of the US army parade. When Trump is upset, he runs back to the arms of his sycophants for comfort and reassurance. His desperate attempts to project strength only serve to highlight his weakness and insecurity. Graham Lum, North Rocks How pathetic is Trump? Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Now the great man makes a decision but delays pulling the trigger. Clever; take credit for making a decision but avoid action in the hope the crisis passes to another issue. I am not sure whether Putin is playing Trump as a trout or Trump is playing world leaders as a school of trouts. D'Arcy Hardy, North Turramurra Those of us who are fairly fed up with Trump's antics will be even more so by the end of two weeks of indecisiveness about bombing Iran. He reminds me of Alice's dilemma on whether she should join in the Lobster Quadrille in Alice's Adventure in Wonderland. Except the dilemma is not about whether to join in a crazy dance to throw a lobster or a turtle into the sea, but whether to instigate a possible nuclear war. So while Trump tries to sort out differing views within the Republican Party and advisers, with an eye on the next election, the US and the world will be held on tenterhooks once again. His lack of decisive leadership on this, as well as tariffs and a multitude of other issues, keeps him in the spotlight, but drags the world down again. Bill Johnstone, Blackheath I am very disappointed that the two big, beautiful, tapered flag poles just erected at the White House by Donald Trump are white and not gold. John Oakley, Wollongong Follow the leader The appalling and tragic human history of wars, atrocities, death and destruction aside, could there be a worse time than just now to have such an unstable person as Donald Trump in such a powerful and critical role? Perhaps the most disastrous flaw in humanity is that it repeats the mistake of following, appeasing and empowering unstable leaders. While increasingly devastating conflicts rage, we have the surreal situation of the world numbly poised while Trump, not by any measure a global diplomat, or a mental library of history, 'mulls going to war' (' While Trump buys himself time, other countries might make the decision for him ', June 20). 'We're the only species who follow unstable leaders. Animals don't follow that' (Cesar Millan). Robyn Dalziell, Kellyville Power imbalance between Gaza and Israel visible in photo finish The photographs on pages 3 (' Forgotten catastrophe still claiming victims ', June 20) and 12 (' Beachgoers in Tel Aviv leave during a missile strike from Iran ', June 20) say a great deal about the imbalance of power between Gaza and Israel. On one hand, thousands of Gazans wait in fear among a rubble moonscape for meagre supplies to fend off death by starvation, while on the other, apparently well-fed Israelis leave the beach as if fleeing an afternoon storm. Let us not be distracted by the ravings of Trump or the attacks by Israel on perceived enemies when the most critical issue at play in the region is the annihilation of an entire people who actually have a historical right to live in peace in their homeland. Peter Cooper-Southam, Frenchs Forest The two photos accompanying 'Forgotten catastrophe still claiming victims' and 'Australians fleeing Middle East' could not be more stark. While starving Palestinians risk death trying to getfood, Israelis flee the beach, their pleasure being disturbed by annoying Iranian missiles – how unfortunate. Meanwhile, in 'Gaza carnage goes on as missiles fly', the Israeli military regrets 'any harm to uninvolved individuals'. I would suggest that killing people is more than just harm. Neil Bradford, Potts Point Two strikingly different but similar images coming out of the Middle East – one, Palestinians fleeing Israeli gunfire when seeking food at aid distribution centres. The other, Israelis fleeing the beach amid a flurry of bikinis and beach towels during a missile alert from Iran. Susan Young, Kirribilli What could more eloquently denounce the actions of the perpetrators of the human catastrophe in Gaza than the Herald photograph 'Forgotten catastrophe still claiming victims'? Catherine Turner, Cremorne Watt are we waiting for? Your report of Environment Minister Murray Watt's first round-table meeting on the reform of Australia's failed environment laws (' Watt vetoes trigger on climate in law reforms ', June 20) made bittersweet reading. It's encouraging to see him tackling the task promptly and purposefully but disappointing to find that he's not expecting to table the legislation for 18 months. It seems that all the hard work Tanya Plibersek did to advance the reform has been abandoned, and the whole process has begun again: one more instance of the wasted time that has plagued environmental protection in Australia. There's also mixed messaging on the climate implications of industrial projects. It seems obvious that projects with the potential to create damaging emissions and lock in more global heating should be assessed for their climate impact, yet a climate trigger is being excluded. One can only hope the sanguine views of Amanda McKenzie and Sarah Hanson-Young on alternative measures prove justified. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic) So it looks like our new environment minister has come with some strong preconceived ideas on how not to help the environment. Let's hope he has some positive ideas as well. Peggy Fisher, Manly Justice rains Working in courts in the 1980s and early 1990s, when the Downing Centre reopened after its years-long conversion/renovation, staff affectionately referred to it as the 'Drowning Centre' (' Trials aborted amid damage to court complex ', June 20). With news of the flooding and disruption, it looks as though life is imitating art and it is living up to its nickname. John McAteer, Seaforth Risky business Even before Asian economies were becoming bigger and dynamic, ANZ was established in 1984 in India (' ANZ retail boss exits in executive shake-up ', June 20). There is a huge opportunity for ANZ and other Aussie banks to expand in India and other Asian countries as Citibank left the retail market a few years ago, leaving a void to fill for other banks. With the new chief executive for ANZ Nuno Matos having experience running banks around the world, will this bring in some innovation and lead to a few risks being taken and diversification from the Australian matured and secured market? Unless banks other than CBA learn to take risks and move into other international markets, they will always be envious of the CBA. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill In praise of the good Vafa Ghazavi's tribute to his friend Melissa Hortman is an example of the best kind of obituary (' My friend was assassinated. In a dim world, she was a beacon ', June 19). It is only through learning about this American senator's achievements that we can truly appreciate her loss. Hortman's curiosity, good humour and desire to work collaboratively with her political opponents is a welcome contrast to Trump's hubris and his vilification of anyone who dares to question his decisions. As media headlines focus on Trump's international shockwaves, we need reminders that among the millions of Americans there are many altruistic people, like Melissa Hortman, who make scientific advances, find better treatments for illnesses or strive to make America and the world a safer and more equitable place. Brenda Proudfoot, Valentine Skinks in the clink I was heartened to read a good news story in the midst of the horrors all around us (' Abandoned reptiles slither into a new home – in jail', June 20). By having prison inmates work with Corrective Services NSW animal specialists to rehabilitate reptiles such as geckos, skinks and blue-tongued lizards, this program instils a different ethic in inmates caught up in cycles of violence, drugs, etc, and helps install positive thinking by doing positive things. Sounds like behaviour therapy at its best. It certainly beats stuffing envelopes. Larry Woldenberg, Forest Lodge Postscript It's been a busy week on the Letters page, mostly involving the American president – a Trump dump, if you like – of letters covering many shades of orange outrage. The week started with Donald Trump and the big, beautiful parade for the US Army's 250th birthday that just happened to be held on his 79th birthday, which brought mainly big, bountiful derision. Letter writers mocked a man who got out of the draft by claiming heel spurs, called servicemen who fell in World War II 'losers and suckers', and who now sends the National Guard against his own people. They were also unimpressed with the ragtag, shambling appearance of the marchers, who seemed to be going for an afternoon saunter. Then there was Trump, AUKUS and whether is it worthwhile for Australia to keep with the program. Essentially: no, the writers don't care about it, don't want it, and would like the money paid out already to be paid back. The Trump club is one they don't care to belong to. This was followed by writers being outright stunned by the Trump idea that Vladimir Putin could possibly be a peacemaker. There was also Trump not meeting Albanese at the G7 summit. Many writers thought Albanese had had a lucky escape, some were offended by the perceived disrespect, and many had mockery for commentators saying that Albanese should somehow have tried harder, although without suggestions of how this could have been done. Finally there was Trump's flippy-flopping, wibbly-wobbling ideas about Israel and Iran. His big, beautiful suggestion that the 10 million residents of Tehran should leave their city was met with more derision. There were other subjects during the week. The Gaza-Israel troubles continue, and it seems they will from this day until the ending of the world, which may be sooner than we think if people start throwing nuclear weapons at each other. There was also robust discussion about the advisability of sanctions against Israel, and many letters of horror about the photograph of a family of Palestinian children mourning their father, who was killed trying to get food for them.