Jews against the Occupation ’48 is calling on the international community to demand Israel be prevented from imposing a ban on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, due to take effect on January 30. Jepke Goudsmit reports.
Issue 1421
News
While NSW Labor claims it cannot afford to pay medical professionals the same rates as their counterparts in other states, the public doesn’t buy it. Suzanne James reports.
Find out where and when to join protests across the country on Invasion Day.
The Socialist Alliance met for 19th National Conference to discuss its perspectives and plans for 2025, a federal election year. Isaac Nellist reports.
Grassroots Action Network Tasmania protested logging in the Huon Valley, responding to Uncle Jimmy Everett’s call to protect Country. Kerry Smith reports.
Just days before the Republicans, headed by Donald Trump, take charge in the US, pro-Palestine protests across Australia continued to demand that Labor cut ties with Israel. Pip Hinman, Sarah Hathway and Adam Bremner report.
Grassroots activists have formed Justice not Jails to counter the Northern Territory Country Liberal Party’s punitive “tough on crime” approach. Stephen W Enciso reports.
The first pro-Palestine rallies for 2025 condemned Israel’s attack on Kamal Adwan hospital and the arbitrary arrest of its director, Dr Hussam Abu Safia. Alex Bainbridge reports.
Protests for Palestine continued in the week between Christmas and New Year, as Israel destroyed the Kamal Adwan hospital. Alex Bainbridge reports.
Three protesters were convicted in relation to a protest last January at weapon’s company Boeing. Alex Bainbridge reports.
The 63rd weekend of continuous protest against Israel’s genocide in Gaza was marked on December 22 in Naarm/Melbourne, Gadigal Country/Sydney and other Australian cities. Alex Bainbridge and Kamala Emanuel report.
Activists continue to demand an end to Australia's complicity in Israel's war crimes, including its deals with the US to export tungsten, which ends up in the bodies of innocent Gazans, including children. Alan Isherwood reports.
The NT Country Liberal Party has appointed a Territory Coordinator even before a law has been passed detailing their brief and powers. However, as Stephen W Enciso reports, it is clear what the CLP’s intent is.
A vigil mourning the murders of several sex workers demanded full decriminalisation so that sex workers have control over their workplace conditions. Jacob Andrewartha reports.
Protesters rallied against Israel’s genocide in Gaza for the 62nd week in a row, defying Jillian Segal’s call for rallies to be banned. Peter Boyle and Adam Bremner report.
Construction workers protested outside the Fair Work Commission to demand that Esther Van Arend, a former Construction, Forestry Maritime and Employees Union health and safety organiser who had been unfairly sacked by the CFMEU administrator, be reinstated. Jacob Andrewartha reports.
Amnesty International Australia, rights organisations and pro-Palestine solidarity organisers have criticised the NSW Premier’s call to ban Palestine protests outside places of worship. Pip Hinman reports.
Protesters made their opposition known as the new City of Greater Geelong Council pushed to undo the former council decision, made with First Nations peoples’ support, not to recognise January 26 as “Australia Day”, reports Angela Carr.
Members of the Kurdish community and their allies held an emergency rally at Sydney Town Hall to defend the gains of the Rojava revolution, reports Peter Boyle.
Speakers told a rally that gendered violence is a “national emergency” and called on government institutions “to treat it as such”. Kerry Smith reports.
Protesters across the country called on Labor to reconsider the approval of three new coal mines. Coral Wynter reports.
Hundreds joined a Human Rights Day vigil to support Uncle Robbie Thorpe's case against former Benjamin Netanyahu advisor Mark Regev, which was withdrawn by the Department of Public Prosecutions. Jacob Andrewartha reports.
Isaac Nellist talks to Socialist Alliance Merri-bek councillor Sue Bolton about the impact of the Woolworths warehouse strike and what it reveals about fighting for workers’ rights.
Protests against Israel’s war on Gaza took place across Australia for the 61st week as Amnesty International issued a report stating that Israel intended to commit genocide.
Woolworths workers have been under pressure to cut corners on health and safety, and work faster as part of a system known as “the framework”. Matthew Piggott reports.
Analysis
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network and the South African Boycott, Divestment and Sanction Coalition were among many pro-Palestine organisations around the world that responded positively, yet cautiously, to news of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Pip Hinman and Susan Price report.
Muslim Votes Matter expresses its outrage at the Albanese government’s decision to send Australia’s most senior legal officer, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, to Israel to “repair” strained diplomatic ties.
It is no exaggeration to say that whether Dutton wins or loses, his racist campaign is already harming people, argues Peter Boyle.
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe told Isaac Nellist and Chloe DS that the major parties are in a “race to the bottom” on policy for First Nations peoples and that Labor has “delivered nothing”.
Australia is yet to see the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines and, in the meantime, Labor is allowing the country to become garrisoned to Washington’s geopolitical vanities. Binoy Kampmark reports.
Firefighters can see that human-induced climate change is making fire seasons longer and more intense. Cam Walker argues that we all have to counter the right-wing conspiracy misinformation campaign.
While road transport is necessary, even urgent in some places, the climate emergency also demands alternatives to road and air transport for people and goods in a continent as vast as Australia, argues Pip Hinman.
Suzanne James writes that if governments do not start protecting people from the corporate greed that is destroying so many lives, more CEOs might unfortunately get caught in the crossfire.
Multiple statements by current Israeli government politicians reveal the genocidal intent of Zionism with regard to Gaza, writes Rupen Savoulian. What does it say about the governments who consistently and unfailingly supply weapons to the Israeli authorities?
Criticising the actions of a state and its policies should not be mistaken for antisemitism, writes Judith Avril, a member of Jews Against the Occupation ’48 Australia.
The Labor PM and NSW Premier have been quick to demonise community members supporting justice in Palestine and quick to wrongly conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism — all of which have repercussions, as Paul Gregoire points out.
Tanya Plibersek claims Australia is on track to meet its climate targets, but research shows that when land sector emissions are removed from the modelling, the country’s emissions are increasing. Binoy Kampmark reports.
Friends of the Earth Australia has slammed Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s release of the Coalition nuclear policy, describing it as a “nuclear nightmare” and a “cynical ploy to keep burning coal and gas”.
Sue Bolton argues that the Victorian Premier’s announcement that “strong action” is supposedly needed “to fight hate” is a declaration of war against all supporters of free speech and the right to protest.
With Fox News raking in viewer numbers, seizing about 70% of the market in November, Rupert Murdoch is keen to ensure the profits continue to roll in by entrusting Lachlan Murdoch full control. Binoy Kampmark reports.
Riley Breen spoke to Janet Parker from Jews for Palestine WA about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the claims that the Palestine solidarity movement and criticisms of Israel are antisemitic.
Climate campaigner, unionist and Socialist Alliance member Zane Alcorn is a guest on the latest Green Left Show to discuss the People’s Blockade of the world’s largest coal port.
Suzanne James talks to Dying With Dignity Victoria president Jane Morris about defending the important right of end-of-life choice through voluntary assisted dying laws.
While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new social media ban for young people may appeal to worried parents, Luka Koerber writes it doesn’t address the real problems with social media platforms.
The crisis in Gaza is a feminist issue and a humanitarian one. Nafiseh Ghafournia argues that feminists need to speak out against colonial violence and connected rate of intimate partner violence.
World
Incumbent president Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third term on January 10, following Venezuela’s disputed July 28 elections, reports Federico Fuentes.
The signing of the world’s biggest free trade agreement between the European Union and Southern Common Market — after 25 years of stalled negotiations — has grave implications for the environment and human rights, reports Ben Radford.
Indonesia officially joined the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa consortium), marking a significant milestone in its foreign relations, writes Ali Mirin.
Many fear that Donald Trump will reverse Joe Biden’s decision to remove Cuba from the United States’ list of “state sponsors of terrorism”, writes Tamara Pearson.
In a concerted effort to stifle support for West Papua’s aspiration for independence, Indonesia has embarked on diplomatic initiatives with Pacific nations and communities, writes Ali Mirin.
The International Court of Justice is considering whether countries are obliged under international law to reduce emissions, and what the legal consequences are if they fail to do so, reports Ben Radford.
Outgoing United States president Joe Biden has blocked Japan’s Nippon Steel from acquiring US Steel, citing national security concerns, reports Malik Miah.
Eleven historic days of popular struggle sealed President Yoon Suk-yeol’s fate, following his declaration of martial law. Yoon’s impeachment represents a tremendous triumph of people power, but the struggle is not over, writes Won Youngsu.
With the death of French fascist Jean-Marie Le Pen, in the midst of a political crisis in France, now is the time to re-explain and remobilise people against the fascist National Rally, which is closer to government than ever, writes John Mullen.
Philippine labour and climate activists Luke Espiritu and Aleijn Reintegrado are guests on the Green Left Show.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the Turkish drone strikes that killed Kurdish journalists Cîhan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan near Kobanê in northern Syria, reports Medya News.
The Left Berlin’s Phil Butland spoke to Paris activist John Mullen about what French president Emmanuel Macron hopes to achieve with the appointment of new right-wing prime minister François Bayrou.
A substantial oil spill affecting Peru’s north coast has drawn attention to the country’s largely unregulated and destructive oil industry, reports Ben Radford.
The future of Syria and the Middle East is complex and uncertain, argues Khaled Ghannam.
Outgoing United States President Joe Biden has a chance to make history of the right sort by pardoning WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange. Binoy Kampmark reports.
When martial law was declared in South Korea, Melbourne resident Seona Cho immediately booked a flight back to Seoul, where she joined impeachment rallies and labour protests, standing in solidarity with workers fighting for democracy and justice. This is her account.
Isaac Nellist spoke with Green Left's Latin American correspondent Ben Radford about various grassroots struggles against mining and climate destruction, for workers' rights and access to education.
Brazilian socialist Israel Dutra interviews Swiss-Syrian activist and academic Joseph Daher about the situation in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
A deputy of the People’s Equality and Democracy Party has made public in the Turkish parliament the details of his meeting with imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, reports Medya News.
Amnesty International’s new report, which identifies a “pattern of conduct” by Israel that indicates genocidal intent in Gaza, has predictably been met with a wall of denial by the Israeli government and its United States ally, writes Binoy Kampmark.
Syrian dictator Basar al Assad’s fall should be celebrated — but we should now be very concerned about the plight of the Kurds, argues Sarah Glynn.
Despite his failed December 3 self-coup, South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol remains in his post after MPs from the conservative ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted a impeachment vote on December 7, reports Won Youngsu.
The New Progressive Party, Puerto Rico’s right-wing pro-statehood faction, has entrenched itself as a major political force, creating a system that increasingly resembles a one-party state, argues Javier A Hernández.
The rapid mass response to South Korea president Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law, which stopped the president’s coup in its tracks, is explained by South Korea’s history of military regimes, writes Barry Sheppard.
Culture
Mariota Spens reviews Wicked, a technicolour fairytale and allegory for United States politics, which shows us the mechanics of patriarchal capitalism.
Climate and Capitalism editor Ian Angus presents seven new books on capitalist ecology myths, petroleum industry lies, forests, cities, incipient fascism, agribusiness and disease.
Coral Wynter reviews the recent documentary, Unbreakable, the story of tennis star Jelena Dokic’s courage and resilience after surviving years of abuse at the hands of her father.
Andrew Chuter reviews Cameron Murray’s highly accessible and much-needed book about the persistent myths that prevent rational discussion and action to address the housing crisis in Australia.
Recently released documentary Venezuela: The Cost of Challenging an Empire shows the real costs of the greed and blockade imposed on Venezuela by the United States government, writes Jim McIlroy.
Bill Nevins takes us on a journey through this past century in this collection of wonderful poems, writes Lorcan Otway.
Znetwork.org’s Alexandria Shaner sat down with activist-author Tamara Pearson to discuss her new novel, The Eyes of the Earth, and how storytelling as resistance can unravel discourse, confront reality and explore possibilities.
We’re scrolling more and reading less, but when it comes to standing up to fossil fuel companies, the arms industry, empire and systemic injustice, fiction and non-fiction books can provide clarity and transformative ideas, argues Tamara Pearson.
Ben Radford reviews the memoir of Waraoni climate activist Nemonte Nenquimo, who defends the Amazon and the indigenous peoples of eastern Ecuador against the power of big oil.
Susan Price reviews Adam Hanieh’s new book, Crude Capitalism, which analyses oil’s place in the global capitalist system and the changes in the world oil market.
A Katoomba showing of The Last Sky, a documentary made by Rihab Charida and Nicholas Hanna, raised $400 for Palestinian refugees. Jessica Steele reports.
Veteran journalist and best-selling author TJ English tells the life story of Augusto Guillermo “Willy” Falcon, who grew his Florida-based gang Los Muchachos (The Boys) into a major international drug-smuggling operation netting profits in the billions. Bill Nevins reviews.