Palestinian activist and poet, Bassem Tamimi had his visa cancelled just as he was about to depart on an Australian speaking tour. The government justified this by claiming his visit would cause ‘social division’!
Compare this with the participation of 40 Israeli runners in the Sydney Marathon many of whom have been identified as war criminals from their posts on social media. Members of the notorious Golani Brigade are included. The government has not revoked a single visa and there is no mention of the provocative social division their visit will undoubtedly unleash.
If Australia were fulfilling its obligations under international law it would arrest all 40 and grill them about their participation in Gaza’s genocide but that’s not going to happen. What an appalling act of complicity with genocide and a kick in the teeth for all who uphold the law and protest for the liberation of Palestine!
Gareth W R Smith, Byron Bay
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. 
