Dear Editor,

(Newcastle Morning Herald) 9th December 2023

All governments of Australia have condemned hate speech, and it seems to me that the extermination of a free and democratic nation must be classified as hate speech! On page 12 of today’s Newcastle Herald is an article featuring the Palestine Action Group Newcastle (PAGN) with a picture that clearly states “FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA” on the banner. This statement and the chant of these activists as they parade the streets of Newcastle calls for the total elimination of the state of Israel from the Jordan River to the sea. If this is not hate speech then what is it?

The only nation in the Middle East that permits freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of protest, and equal rights for all its citizens is being condemned out of existence by supporters of nations where none of these freedoms exist. I just do not get it!

Yours in Good Faith

Milton Caine

(responding to)