- by Peter Farmer
- The Guardian
- Issue #2187
There’s something Australians hear a lot of when they get news from the rest of the world. It should make us feel better but it doesn’t. It’s this: we’re far away from what’s happening and we’re not involved.
Australia is far away from Iran. We’re a long way from Palestine and Israel. We’re the other side of the earth from Sudan. You name it, if there’s a war on, we’re a long way away, aren’t we?
It’s a refrain, especially strong from commentators who don’t want Australians to feel like they should be doing something.
There’s a certain amount of double-think here, holding two mutually exclusive beliefs at the same time. Take Palestine for example. It’s true that Australia is a long way from Palestine, and it’s true that this country can’t just snap its fingers and end Israel’s genocidal assault on the Palestinian people. The people who tell us how far we are from Israel, are also often keen on us doing things about the war. They’re the same people who support restrictions on protesting in support of Palestine, the same ones who class calls for solidarity with Palestinian people as “genocidal.” If Australia really has nothing to do with it, why do they care if we have some protests?
The ‘we’re a long way away’ line doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Australia is part of a supply chain that furnishes Israel with the weapons it needs. We’re sending an advanced intelligence-gathering plane to the Middle East to help out the US and Israel with targeting. If you believe the Albanese government that the signals gathered by that plane won’t be used to help with any attacks, we have a bridge to sell you, for mates rates.
As well as ‘we are a long way away and can’t do anything,’ Australian media likes to pretend that this country punches above its weight on the international stage. That’s why the thoughts of Albanese and Wong on international crises are reported as though no other international leaders are speaking on the same topic, and as though the participants are listening.
To an extend, they are listening. Australia is part of the UN. More importantly, to the US, geography means that Australia is a really good location for the Pine Gap facility, so that the US can listen in on signals and flight movements as far away as the Middle East. The signals from that base go where the US wants them to, and by leaving the place there, Australia is committed.
This country is involved in world affairs and that means we’re involved in war, no matter what our US-pleasing politicians say. It’s a bit scary, but it’s also a good thing because that means we can also be involved in peace.
So join in the protests, and get into any petitions or direct action that puts pressure on Albanese and Wong to use our involvement for peace. This country can be a force for good, making the world a more peaceful place and making Australia safer while we’re at it.
Action for peace is a daunting prospect, and there’s no guarantee of success, but it’s better than pretending we’re not a part of what’s going on.
