Issue 1399

News

As Israel stormed a major hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing patients, Australians took to the streets across the country to call for a permanent ceasefire.Alex Salmon, Peter Boyle, Susan Price, Jacob Andrewartha and Sarah Hathway report.

The NSW United Services Union has launched a campaign to ensure school cleaners are properly paid and their work conditions improved. Jim McIlroy reports.

Justice John Sackar’s reporton LGBTIQ hate crimes is a damning indictment of the NSW Police. Josh Adams reports.

Flying kites in solidarity with the children of Gaza. Photo: Central West NSW for Palestine

Children and families flew kites for the children of Gaza at Lermont-Wiradguri Park in Bathurst. Kerry Smith reports.

The new progressive Community First ticket contesting Cairns Regional Council local government elections and for mayor is campaigning forlocal democracy and transparency. Alex Bainbridge reports.

Families for Palestinestarted a round-the-clock peaceful protest outside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s electorate office in Marrickville.Rachel Evansreports.

Aunty Gail Hickey and family

Aunty Gail Hickey marched through Redfern with her family and supporters to demand justice for her son TJ Hickey, who was killed in a police pursuit 20 years ago. Isaac Nellist reports.

Several days before Israel’s ground invasion of Rafah, Gaza, tens of thousands took to the streets for the 17th consecutive week of protests across Australia.

Invasion Day rally in Gadigal/Sydney

The Productivity Commission reported that the gap between First Nations peoples and the rest of the population had widened on four key social indicators. Peter Boyle reports.

The war on wages, Assange's final appeal & French farmers take action

鶹ýdzܰԲIsaac Nellist goes through the latest news from across the continent and around the world.

Unionists and climate activists came together to rally for offshore wind.

Community organisations and unions have demonstrated their support for the Hunter Offshore Wind Farm wind power project, with more than 800 people turning out to the Hunter Workers’ action. Zane Alcorn reports.

A new bill to amend the Local Government Act has been described as a a “cunning sleight of hand” and criticised for giving the minister even more power over councils' decision-making. Pip Hinman reports.

With more than 57,000 households on the NSW public housing wait list, public housing tenants are determined not to let their homes be demolished. Rachel Evansǰٲ.

Essential Research found support for a democratic economic system and for proportional representation, which would make the electoral system fairer for minor parties.Daniel Mundës reports.

Australians for War Powers Reform said Anthony Albanese mustnot support the USair strikes on Iraq and Syriaand that Joe Bidencould “readily prevent” the war expanding.Mark Robinson reports.

For the 17th consecutive week, protesters took to the streets in Gadigal and Naarm for Palestine, while inWalyalup/FremantleaZIM ship was held up for hours. Peter Boyle,Alex Salmon and Jacob Andrewarthareport.

people marching with banners and signs

Supporters of Palestine residing on the Gold Coast are calling on Lord Mayor Tom Tate and the Gold Coast City Council to withdraw its Sister City agreement with the Israeli coastal resort town of Netanya, reports Susan Price.

Analysis

Accessible financial and other materialsupports, including housing,for victim-survivors are an important part ofcombatting genderedviolence.Aneesa Bhamjee reports.

Stop arming Israel

Globally, the Palestine movement’s demand for an arms embargo on Israel has had some success. We need to keep up the pressure here, argues Sue Bolton.

Kristin O'Connell: How to end homelessness

Kristin O’Connell, spokesperson for The Antipoverty Centre,spoke toIsaac Nellistabout the need for government investment in public housing as onesolutionto counter worsening poverty.

Kristin O'Connell and a public housing block in Melbourne

The Antipoverty Centre's Kristin O'Connell spoke to 鶹ý's Isaac Nellist about solutions to counter worsening poverty and homelessness.

BobMarley was adored by millions, especially the youth of poor countries such as Morocco. His son should be protested at WOMADelaide for supporting Israel's genocide of Palestinians, writes Sue Bull.

The Israeli arms industry has taken something of a shine to Victoria with Elbit Systems, manufacturing drones,one of its most enterprising representatives. Binoy Kampmark reports.

Minns has turned his back on the LGBTIQ community.

New South Wales Premier is reportedly watering down a bill to ban gay conversion therapy after pressure from the new NSW Faith Affairs Council. Paul Gregoire reports.

Prudence alone demands we pause AUKUS, as the terms of its final provisions allow signatories to do. Ken Blackman reports.

World

protesters, woman's face

鶹ý’s Federico Fuentes interviewed Viktoriia Pihul, a council member of Ukrainian democratic socialist organisation Social Movement, regarding the situation in Ukraine two years after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

F-35 fighter jets

Following a Dutch appeals court ruling to halt the export and transit of all F-35 parts to Israel within seven days, the Netherlands' government is taking the matter to the country’s Supreme Court, reports Binoy Kampmark.

poster with f-35 jets

A Dutch court has ordered the Netherlands' government to cease exporting F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel that are being used in the war in Gaza, reports Kerry Smith.

man's face

Anti-war socialist Boris Kagarlitsky has been sentenced to five years’ jail on appeal, a harsh sentence his supporters say is due to his opposition to Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine, writes Federico Fuentes.

map of electoral results

Pakistan’s February 8 general elections resulted in a split vote, with no party securing a clear national majority, writes Farooq Tariq, offering little hope for positive change, as the incoming government is poised to fast-track neoliberal policies, privatise state institutions and deepen class exploitation.

man's face

In an exclusive interview with 鶹ý's Peter Boyle, Saleh Muslim, the co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) the leading party in Rojava's revolution in North-East Syria, warned that the current escalation of military conflict in the Middle East could be the beginning of “the third world war”.

two women holding signs

The Frontline Socialist Party actively contributed to the 2022 popular uprising in Sri Lanka. 鶹ý’s Janaka Biyanwila interviewed Pubudu Jayagoda, who is the FSP’s educational secretary and central committee member about the party's organising work.

woman at the front of a rally

Claudio Katz discusses right-wing President Javier Milei’s strategy, the emerging resistance against it and likely scenarios going forward.

woman wearing a face mask holding a sign

鶹ý’s Federico Fuentes sat down with Mariana Riscali, a leader of the Socialist Left Movement tendency inside Brazil’s radical left Socialism and Freedom Party.

Busting the myth of Israeli 'democracy'.

Israel claims to be the only democracy in the Middle East. The reality is different.Nachschon Amir, Mai Saif and Meredith Lawrenceexplain the myth behind Israeli 'democracy' and how it oppresses Palestinians.

two people on a stage

Lai Ching-Te (William Lai) won Taiwan’s presidential election on January 13, with 40.5% of the vote, achieving a record third term for the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party, reports Alex Salmon.

people with banners

United States President Joe Biden is losing support from progressive Jews and Arab Americans, while Black church leaders have issued a public call for a ceasefire, reports Barry Sheppard.

Culture

book cover, city scape

Bill Nevins revews Paul Lynch’s Booker Prize-winning novel, set in a near-future Ireland, where fascists have come to power.

woman smiling

Poetry by Tamara Pearson.

book cover

John Tully reviews Boris Frankel's memoir, which recounts his family's eye-opening experience emigrating from Australia to the Soviet Union in 1956.

two book covers

February 24 marks the two-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ever since the war began it has generated debate on the left, which is why these two new works reflecting on the conflict are essential reading, writes Federico Fuentes.

book cover, man's face

Derek Wall reviews Hall Greenland’s biography of Michel Pablo, an Egyptian-born Greek revolutionary leader.

two sister's bodies wrapped in cloth

Stuart Rees responds to months of genocide in Gaza and the West Bank.

book cover, refugees fleeing in 1948

Lenni Brenner's edited volume, 51 Documents: Zionist Collaboration With the Nazis is important reading today in the context of the United States-backed Israeli genocidal war in Gaza, writes Barry Sheppard.

book cover and picture of author

Zane Alcorn reviews Kings of the New Age, the debut futuristic novel by Muloobinba/Newcastle-based author and musician Nathan Bell, set in his home town.