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The video of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting detained humanitarian activists is confronting to watch.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong described it as "shocking and unacceptable" and summoned the Israeli ambassador for an explanation.
It’s even drawn the scorn of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Ben-Gvir’s actions were "not in line with Israel’s values and norms".
As international law expert Shannon Bosch writes, the global reaction to the video is precisely why international law matters. When such conduct is normalised or left unchallenged, it risks undermining the entire system set up to protect civilians in armed conflict.
Bosch explains exactly what Israel’s humanitarian obligations are under the law and why Ben-Gvir’s taunts – and the treatment of the detainees overall – were a clear breach of these duties.
P.S. Thanks to the generous readers who have given in the first week of our annual donations drive. If you haven’t given yet, you can make a donation here.
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Justin Bergman
International Affairs Editor
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Shannon Bosch, Edith Cowan University
Israeli treatment of the detained flotilla activists has outraged the world. This is why international law matters in conflicts.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The foreign minister has condemned the actions of Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir towards detainees.
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Christian Jakob, Monash University; Andy Hogg, Australian National University; Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, Australian National University
CSIRO has been the custodian of Australia’s climate modelling through decades of shrinking budgets. Sacking scientists will change this.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The Albanese government has found itself on the thorny end of a social media campaign post-budget.
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Matthew Bowes, Grattan Institute
Some budget commentators have missed the mark entirely. Let’s bust some myths and set the record straight.
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Paul Strangio, Monash University
The job of leading the country has undoubtedly grown more challenging in the past quarter century. But much of that has been brought on by the leaders themselves.
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Adrian Esterman, Adelaide University
Diseases once thought confined to history are making a comeback in Australia. Vaccination is only part of the story.
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Kevin Morrison, University of Technology Sydney
Rich countries have been burning through oil stockpiles and seeking other suppliers to avoid the global energy crunch. But these measures have limits.
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Colin Caprani, Monash University; Scott Menegon, Swinburne University of Technology
Key features of the famous monument defend it from earthquakes – but we can’t know if that’s what the builders had in mind.
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Politics + Society
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James Trapani, Western Sydney University
Castro’s alleged crimes happened 30 years ago. Here’s why the charges have been levelled now.
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Alexander Korolev, UNSW Sydney
Xi Jinping had his moment on the global stage – and he didn’t waste it.
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Health + Medicine
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Sam Bennett, Grattan Institute; Owain Emslie, Grattan Institute
A lot has to go right for the $37.8 billion in NDIS savings to be delivered without leaving disabled people to fall through the cracks.
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Archana Koirala, University of Sydney; Bianca Middleton, Menzies School of Health Research
Since January, Australia has recorded more than 220 diphtheria cases. Experts say waning vaccination rates are contributing to this historic outbreak.
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Business + Economy
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Natalie Peng, The University of Queensland
Young people saving through shares and ETFs are worried about capital gains tax changes. But first-home buyers may already have a better option: their super.
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Sara Ali, Auckland University of Technology
Large index-tracking funds could soon gain automatic exposure to AI giants as companies such as OpenAI edge toward public markets.
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Science + Technology
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Niusha Shafiabady, Australian Catholic University
The first thing to check – ideally before you buy – is whether the blanket complies with Australian safety requirements.
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Maxwell Lechte, University of Sydney; Leigh Anne Riedman, University of California, Santa Barbara
The companies that drilled these cores decades ago couldn’t have known the scientific treasures inside.
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Arts + Culture
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Maddison Sideris, Deakin University
Before the end of the year, dating app Bumble will be getting rid of the swipe and introducing an AI-powered dating assistant.
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Gemma Blackwood, University of Tasmania
The film is a portrait of a highly dysfunctional family fighting over generational wealth – a familiar story for many.
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Dave Carter, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Jesse Austin-Stewart, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
A finding of anti-competitive behaviour by US industry giant Live Nation raises questions about New Zealand’s heavily consolidated music market.
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Books + Ideas
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Edwina Preston, The University of Melbourne
Some of our most loved stories centre on sisters, from fairytales like Snow White and Rose Red to Little Women. Edwina Preston reflects on why sisters matter so much.
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Richard Shaw, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
In this extract from his newly published essay collection, the author traces the imperial British origins of a quintessential Kiwi chore.
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Mei-fen Kuo, Macquarie University
Taiwan is usually discussed in Australia through geopolitics, but Taiwan Travelogue makes it visible as a lived society.
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Transgender rights
“What people often fail to consider when discussing transgender and gender-diverse rights is that trans people have existed since ancient times in many cultures. Transgender identities were erased and pathologised through processes of Western colonisation, which has high influence on the discourse we see today – that transgender people are dangerous, illegitimate or harm Western notions of binary sex. Current scientific literature shows that biological sex is much less binary than we originally thought, and contains natural variations across chromosomal, reproductive and hormonal systems. Cases such as Tickle vs Giggle are an important step in reinstating transgender
people’s right to exist in modern society. Contrary to England and the United States, Australia has shown we are willing to give others a fair go, and the opportunity to live free and equal. We should be proud of this achievement.”
Jade Barber
Breaking up with big tech
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