It looks like Lachlan Hall (Echo, Feb 11) has shot himself in the foot right from the outset regarding the ‘misinformation’ of the number of Gazan’s arriving in this country and I thank The Echo letters editor for supplying the numbers (in the thousands as stated).
It is telling that none of Gaza’s neighbours, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait or Lebanon, all Muslim, have accepted any at all.
Perhaps, Lachlan, you could look up the history of why this might be the case.
To say I ‘devalued Islamic values’ is a good example of misrepresentation from you, Lachlan, and, by the way, Islam is not a race or an ethnicity.
So what are some of the values and cultural traditions which Australians expect from immigrants ?
Here’s a start: Belief in Democracy (with all its warts) and the separation of powers.
Equal opportunity and a ‘fair go’ for all. Equal rights under the law (think about
women’s rights and the LGBTQ community), helping our neighbours in times of need, and let’s throw in mateship, larrikinism, loyalty, live and let live and freedom of speech where any perceived criticism of the prophet won’t get you killed.
What we don’t believe is that religious law comes above the law of the land. This would be untenable.
As for your three examples of violence being incompatible with Christian values, none of them had any religious connections at all. Foot shot number two.
And yes I am in support of the Iranian people in their quest to rid themselves of an evil Islamic regime and question why the pro Palestinian flock are strangely silent.
But I will agree with you on one thing Lachlan. We can broaden the net on incitement to violence and prosecute to the full extent of the law, those found guilty regardless of colour, creed or motive. Common as it may be, but it is wrong thinking to conflate racism and religionism.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
