Dear Editor,

(Newcastle Morning Herald) 13th December 2023

I am deeply concerned about the bias reporting by this paper in regard to matters related to the conflict in Gaza and the world wide reactions to this conflict. I believe this paper is choosing to promote views that can compromise the safety of Jewish people in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley.

I had a conversation with a customer of mine concerning the her support of the “Free Palestine” marches that chant “Free Palestine from the river to the sea”. I asked her what was the freedom that she wanted. She replied freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of right to protest, freedom of movement; that sort of freedoms. I replied all these freedoms exist in Israel today for all citizens, yet are not permitted in Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority controlled West Bank.

I then asked if she supported genocide of a nation, or a people or a race? She answered no, not at all!  Then I explained that the in the Charter of Hamas the phrase “Free Palestine from the River to the Sea” means the elimination of every Jewish person and any person supporting Israel in the area that is called Israel. So do you support the killing of every Jewish person and any supporters of Israel, because that is what you have been chanting for.

She was in total shock and began weeping as she does not support violence but now understands that her actions have supported a death call for all Jews in Israel.

It would be most helpful for truthful reporting if this paper can report the truth behind the hate speech that is chanted in these marches.

Yours in Good Faith

Milton Caine