Joy over Gaza ceasefire tempered with misgivings

It’s not hard to rejoice with both Israelis and Palestinians as they welcome back their hostages and prisoners, however, all the excitement about the end of the war in Gaza is a delusion (“Hostages reunite with families after two years of suffering”, October 14). What we’re looking at is a temporary outbreak of peace, brokered by a self-interested and self-aggrandising thug who has supported and enabled the war by supplying money and arms to one side of the conflict. As hundreds of thousands of Palestinians return to their homes across Gaza, their relief at the end of hostilities is likely to be replaced pretty quickly by anger and bitterness at the destruction and the conditions they will be forced to live in for decades as the territory and its infrastructure is rebuilt, if it ever is. What then? Lasting peace? I don’t think so. Prue Nelson, Cremorne Point

I really hope this ceasefire holds and turns to peace, but after watching Netanyahu’s inflammatory victory speech to cheering right-wing ideologues in the Knesset, I don’t like its chances (“Netanyahu sets out the terms for peace – at the point of a spear”, October 14). Trump followed the Israeli leader’s nasty, unrepentant rant with his usual long-winded word salad of pet grievances, delusional bragging and bizarre non-sequiturs. Gaza deserves better. The world deserves better. Phil Bradshaw, Naremburn

I watched Trump’s address to the Israeli parliament in full not because I’m a masochist, but because I’ve never been able to watch him for more than a few minutes in the past. What he needed to say could have taken 15 minutes – the rest of his “speech” was gibberish. You could tell by the body language of most in attendance that they were bored, while others were perhaps embarrassed by his utterances. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury

What mean-spirited comments about Donald Trump from your correspondents (Letters, October 14). Surely anyone who values peace can put aside whatever views they might have about the man and be big enough to commend him for the role he’s played in bringing about an end to the war in Gaza and the release of the hostages. Anyone with a good heart and a level of pragmatism should hope that this ceasefire holds, and diplomacy wins over aggression. But, I guess Trump Derangement Syndrome is as common in Australia as in the United States. Evan Parsons, Thornleigh

It’s “back to the future” for Gazans with a proposal that former British PM Tony Blair oversee the governance of post-war Gaza’s “peace board” – recalling the British mandate of Palestine that governed Palestinians until 1948 (“The problem this Gaza ceasefire is yet to solve”, October 13). To rub salt into the wound, Blair’s consultancy business is heavily funded by Larry Ellison, who reportedly also funds the Israeli government and the IDF. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Palestinians still can’t defend themselves and their property from attacks by Israeli settlers and the IDF. Nell Knight, Avoca Beach

It was wonderful to watch the excitement as the Israeli hostages were returned, but sad to see Israelis prevent any celebration at the return of Palestinian prisoners. Even sadder to watch as Palestinians arrive to find not a single apartment block left in their Gaza suburbs. How will they survive? Are the nations that supported a two-state solution going to rebuild Gaza so it is again “home” to what remains of the 2.3 million Palestinians? Katriona Herborn, Blackheath

Media keeps showing image after image of Israeli hostages being released, while none of the Palestinians held in “administrative detention” (without trial in other words) are being shown – not even the 22 children who had been held in administrative detention. Could a reason be that the Israeli hostages are mostly soldiers, while the Palestinian hostages include many women and children? Patricia Philippou, Charlestown

As the horrific devastation wrought by the Israelis in Gaza is fully revealed in the coming days, it is worthwhile reminding ourselves what the Gazans have lost. I urge all readers to go to YouTube and search for Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown S02 E03, made in 2013 when he visited Gaza and the West Bank. Humanity explored and also celebrated through the joys of sharing food. One of the comments under the episode says “Wonder how many of all the Palestinians in this episode are gone. They deserved a long, happy and free life.” Tragically, since then we’ve also lost Anthony Bourdain. It’s heartbreaking. Megan Jones, Pyrmont

It is all very well to praise America for achieving this most welcome Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire. Credit is certainly due to them here. On the other hand, this horrific two-year war would surely not have gone on so long but for the enormous support it gave to Israel. America shares responsibility for Israel’s abominable behaviour. Lest we forget. Ruth Holmes, Crows Nest

Dresden, Hiroshima, Khan Younis: the distressing images of the first days of “peace” in Gaza are a reminder that all wars end badly, especially for innocent civilians (“Bombs may have stopped in Gaza, but hunger hasn’t”, October 14). Sadly, we have learnt nothing from history. Roger Bell, Greenwich

The latest ceasefire in the Middle East saw thanks and praises bestowed on God from all sides for ending the carnage and returning hostages and prisoners to their families. Just a few questions to help this atheist get his head around matters: which God was responsible, why did God allow such a tragic event in the first place, and why did they take so long to end the trauma? Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie

Burning bridges

Lidia Thorpe is such a poseur and disgrace to our system of democracy (“AFP probing Thorpe’s ‘burn down House’ comments”, October 14). Her threat to “burn down Parliament House to make a point” is not only extreme as a headline-grabbing bark, it is dangerous in today’s climate of increasing lawlessness. With those so-called sovereign citizens waiting for any opportunity to disrupt our country’s system of democracy, Thorpe’s tantrums will help to detonate the anarchists’ powder kegs. The fact Thorpe made her threat at a pro-Palestine rally just compromises her position as an Australian senator. She should not be allowed to get away with incendiary remarks like that. Kim Woo, Mascot

True to form, this talking head is now invoking the title of the 1983 hit. Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook

West of the border

Your article raises a vexing philosophical and geographical question for Sydneysiders (“Where does western Sydney really start?“, October 14). Going by the conversations I have had with people from all over Sydney, Western Sydney begins just to the west of wherever that person lives. For me, the line is Anzac Parade, for people in Drummoyne it’s Ryde, and for people in Parramatta, it’s Penrith. At the rate Sydney is growing it will soon be the other side of the Blue Mountains. Mark Anderson, Coogee

I emigrated from Wagga to Sydney in 1964. From your report, I was delighted to find I had stayed within the inner datum line your graphs indicate. Later, I bumped into a woman I knew from the bush, who now lives in “upper Woolloomooloo” (lower Potts Point). The socially aspirational are blighted with the same post code, 2011. She sought my class by suburb. I proudly deflated her – Middle West Ryde. She all but spat at me: “What, in the sticks?” Mike Fogarty, Weston (ACT)

Super compromise

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has finally realised how controversial his earlier proposed super changes were (“Chalmers drops plans to index $3m super threshold”, October 14). The new changes he has outlined are much fairer and would be less controversial than the tax on unrealised capital gains proposed earlier. However, I am sure that there will still be outrage from some quarters at these changes, too. But super is meant for providing income in retirement, not creating wealth and supporting luxurious lifestyles at ordinary taxpayers’ expense. The new proposals are trying to address these anomalies. Bipin Johri, Epping

The “tweaks” by Chalmers to his proposed superannuation changes will probably be painted by the Coalition as a major backdown. I prefer to view the situation as a lesson for the Coalition in how to propose, discuss, listen to arguments for and against, compromise and reach consensus on policy. Perhaps at some point, when the in-fighting stops, they will take note. Tony Everett, Wareemba

I strongly object to the dropping of a proposed tax on unrealised profits being characterised as a major backflip and a destruction of Jim Chalmers’ credibility. It’s not the greatest-ever political disaster. If it had gone ahead, we would have had the other side of the argument shouted at us ad nauseam. It’s time for political commentators to get a grip on reality. Nicholas Triggs, Katoomba

Jim Chalmers sells the government’s proposed changes to super taxation, both in their original form and now modified form, as making superannuation arrangements fairer for Australians. However, the fact is the arrangements will remain unfair. There is simply no justification for making the less well-off subsidise the better-off. Will no one stand up and drain the swamp that is the political class of today? Ross Drynan, Lindfield

We finally have some sense in the super tax fiasco, but doubling and almost tripling the tax on progressively higher balances will simply force the excess funds into the greatest tax concession of them all – the tax-free family home. Increased tobacco taxes forced smokers onto the black market and reduced tax revenue. The same will happen with the super tax, putting further pressure on home prices. Bill Lloyd, Denistone

School called out

What a bold and insightful article by the courageous Clare Walker (“For Shore, a woman’s safety matters less than her male killer’s reputation”, October 14). It was great to see her outspokenness against what could be seen as misogyny at the all-male Shore School. Her reference to the school’s motto “Vitai lampada tradunt” reminded me of Sir Henry Newbolt’s poem Vitai Lampada. The poem’s theme was “play up, play up and play the game”. Simply put: do the right thing. Shore doesn’t seem to be getting the message. Maybe those in authority should open the school up to female students to broaden its attitudes towards half the human race. Reg Richardson, Mosman

Rising concerns

With climate change a reality, a wholesale upgrade of the Circular Quay area would be throwing good money after bad (Letters, October 14). Billions of tax dollars would be wasted on a project with a short lifespan. By all means fix the critical problems to maintain its viability, but it will be underwater in 25 or 30 years’ time. Spend the money fixing potholes and providing social housing – much more immediate problems. More Freshwater ferries could be built to cope with all the stranded commuters around the harbour, isolated by rising sea levels. And if you really want to fund an upgrade seriously, perhaps another lottery for the Opera House as the old one will soon be waterlogged. Ralph Duly, Port Macquarie

Remove the Cahill Expressway? Relocate Circular Quay station? No – the transport network, both road and rail, across the rest of NSW desperately requires serious attention ahead of such proposals. Let’s consider the needs of the state’s population beyond central Sydney for a change. Glenn Johnson, Leura

Build easier path

Working in building design in Sydney, I see ways to reduce cost and time for approvals and compliance that don’t involve the overhaul of planning regulations. Those regulations are complex and should be reconsidered carefully, which will take time. But right now, the state government could increase staffing levels for council planning assessors and building inspectors. It could also subsidise the services of private certifiers and planners, and make expensive and essential compliance documents free – Australian Standards and NatSpec, for example. Offset the cost of National Construction Code consultants and increase Planning Portal help services. Introduce free training, registration and exams for building professionals and tradespeople. That’s my 2¢ worth. Marie-France Stockdale, Dee Why

Doomed for profit

The report into the impact of Woodside’s Scarborough gas project lays bare what anyone worried about climate change has always known (“ANU report puts a number on climate impact of Scarborough gas project”, October 14). Apart from the significant carbon dioxide it contributes to Australia’s emissions, the article clearly demonstrates the effect of a single gas venture’s exports on global warming. Its authors, claiming the methodology is applicable to all fossil fuel projects, provide an avenue for an acceptable estimate to be calculated for our total contribution to the warming of our planet. It exemplifies the pursuit of profit at the expense of people and the planet. Roger Epps, Armidale

Liberal nonsense

For once in his life, Tony Abbott got it right when he told us that politics was a contest of ideas (“Ley reshuffles her frontbench again as Abbott chimes in”, October 14). The only problem is that no one can remember when the Coalition last had an idea. Certainly neither Abbott nor his acolytes, Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Price, are repositories of ideas. They propound nonsense, such as their doctrinaire attacks on climate science. Paul Fergus, Croydon

Relative issue

Northern Territory Attorney General Marie-Clare Boothby is related to Jake Danby, who killed an Indigenous man in a hit-and-run and boasted of this with racist text messages to his friends. He has not been given any jail time. Will Boothby publicly condemn this great injustice? Sue Cory, Torquay (Qld)

Roll them out

The share-bike docking stations in London are a no-brainer and should be implemented in Australia (“London’s hire bike love affair blooming”, October 13). If the credit/debit cards of users kept being charged until the bike was in a docking station, we would see a lot fewer of the pesky things littering our streets. Eric Scott, Bondi Junction

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