"The King, the Crown, and the Cries of History"

Ah, Lidia Thorpe, ever the firebrand! Draped in possum skin and standing in the Great Hall of Australia’s Parliament, she delivered a fierce, impassioned rebuke to King Charles III. "This is not your country!" she shouted, as though Charles himself had sailed the First Fleet into Sydney Harbour, clipboard in hand, ready to claim Australia for the Crown. The problem here, though, is that she’s barking up the wrong gum tree. While it’s easy to shout at a symbolic figure like the monarch, it’s another thing entirely to grapple with the complex realities of history, sovereignty, and justice. But let’s take a step back and draw a parallel—perhaps a surprising one—between the plight of Indigenous Australians and that of another group battling for their land, their identity, and their future: the people of Israel.

The Struggle for Land and Identity

Now, let’s not mince words: the historical wounds of Australia’s Indigenous people are deep and painful. Their land was taken, their culture often suppressed, and the effects of colonization reverberate to this day. And so, Thorpe’s demands for the return of land and reparations are understandable, even if misplaced in their delivery. But while she shouts at Charles for crimes committed long before his time, we might usefully look at the Jewish people’s parallel struggle for their ancestral homeland in Israel—a conflict that shares many of the same themes, yet operates in a wholly different reality.

Like Indigenous Australians, the Jewish people have a deep, unbroken connection to their land that stretches back thousands of years. After centuries of exile, persecution, and displacement, they returned to their ancient homeland to reclaim what was theirs. The creation of Israel in 1948 wasn’t just a political act; it was the restoration of a people to their land after centuries of wandering and oppression. But here’s the rub: while Indigenous Australians call for the return of their lands in the name of justice, the people of Israel are fighting tooth and nail to keep their land, to defend their very right to exist on it in the face of relentless hostility.

A Sobering Comparison: Freedom vs. Existential Threat

And this is where Thorpe, for all her fire and fury, takes her freedom for granted. While she shouts at a symbolic monarch from the safety of a democratic Australia, Israel’s Jewish population faces a daily reality that is altogether more dangerous. The threat against Israel is not just about land—it’s about survival. Many of Israel’s enemies seek not only to reclaim disputed territories but to wipe the Jewish people off the face of the earth. They do not want peace. They do not want reconciliation. They want Israel gone, and they have made this terrifyingly clear through terrorist attacks, rockets, and intifadas.

Let’s take a moment to let that sink in. In Australia, Indigenous people can—and should—freely protest, demand justice, and seek recognition. They can walk into Parliament, draped in possum fur, and speak their minds without fear of reprisal. And thank goodness for that—it’s a testament to Australia’s democracy and commitment to freedom. But in Israel, the stakes are infinitely higher. There, enemies like Hamas use civilians as human shields, launching terrorist attacks from within populated areas, making it difficult for Israel to defend itself without horrific collateral damage. They are not merely engaging in protests or civil disobedience—they are waging a war of extermination against the Jewish people.

Empires, Colonization, and Survival

Thorpe’s rhetoric might lead one to think that Australia is the sole villain in a unique tale of colonization. But history is more complex, dear reader. Empires have always expanded. The British were certainly not the first, nor will they be the last. From the Romans to the Ottomans, empires have sought to grow, bringing with them both great innovations and profound injustices. Indigenous Australians were, tragically, caught in this global tide. But let’s not pretend this is the only story. Israel’s people were expelled by empire after empire—Roman, Ottoman, British—and yet they returned. They fought to re-establish their nation in a world that often sought their eradication.

Herein lies the crucial difference: Indigenous Australians were colonized, yes, but they are not under daily threat of being obliterated. In Australia, the majority Christian population, whatever its historical wrongs, is not launching rockets or suicide bombings at Indigenous communities. They are not calling for their annihilation. The fight in Australia is about recognition, reparations, and justice within the framework of a functioning democratic society. Meanwhile, Israel’s enemies, like Hamas, openly declare their intent to destroy the Jewish state, not to negotiate for land or sovereignty but to eliminate Israel’s very existence.

Taking Freedom for Granted

Thorpe, it seems, is fighting yesterday’s war. She targets Charles, a man who has nothing to do with the policies that affect Indigenous Australians today, and demands reparations for colonial wrongs as though this symbolic act will change the lived realities of Indigenous communities. But while she exercises her right to protest in peace and safety, she might pause to reflect on those whose very existence is under constant threat. In Israel, freedom is hard-won, and survival is anything but guaranteed. Every day is a fight, not just for recognition or land, but for the right to live in peace without fear of annihilation.

This is not to say Indigenous Australians have no right to demand justice. They absolutely do. But let’s be clear-eyed about the differences here. Thorpe is free to shout at the monarchy, to protest, to demand—because she lives in a country that allows such freedoms. The Jewish people, on the other hand, are defending their homes from terrorists who hide behind civilians and launch attacks with the goal of obliterating the state of Israel. The stakes, in other words, are not even in the same league.

Rhetoric vs. Reality

In both Israel and Australia, there are deep historical wounds that must be addressed. But yelling at King Charles isn’t the way to do it. Thorpe’s outburst is a distraction from the real work that needs to be done—whether it’s negotiating land rights, improving Indigenous communities, or ensuring a more just society. In Israel, the work is about survival itself. There, it’s not enough to protest; they must defend themselves from those who would see them wiped off the map.

The lesson? Freedom is not something to take for granted. In Australia, Indigenous communities have the right to protest, to demand treaties and justice within the democratic framework. In Israel, the Jewish people have the right to exist—and they must defend that right with all their might against those who seek their destruction. Thorpe’s rhetoric may be fiery, but it lacks the recognition that in many parts of the world, people are fighting for much more than symbolic justice—they are fighting for survival.

Conclusion

Lidia Thorpe’s protest against King Charles was dramatic, yes, but ultimately misdirected. While she takes her freedom to protest for granted, Indigenous Australians are not facing the existential threats that the people of Israel contend with every day. The Indigenous struggle in Australia is about recognition and justice—important issues, no doubt. But they exist in a society where peace and democracy allow those demands to be voiced. In Israel, it’s not just about land or history; it’s about survival in the face of enemies who want nothing less than total destruction. Thorpe would do well to remember that her ability to shout at the monarch without fear is itself a luxury many in the world, including Israelis, do not have. Let’s focus on solutions that build a better future, not just for Indigenous Australians, but for all those who fight for their land, their freedom, and their survival.

BatPoo Forever

@MyBatman1984

Extrapolating the arguments, critiquing the controversy. Transcending the cultural Bat Poo The Bat Truth Is Out There The Dark Knight is Rising!

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