Palestinians have the right to defend themselves too, Prime Minister

What is happening now in Gaza has a context. The Palestinians in Gaza would not launch an assault against Israel when they know from decades of horrific experience what the disproportionate and indiscriminate Israeli response would look like, if they were not desperate and felt that they had no alternative.

Why are they desperate? 75 years of military occupation, unprecedented in its brutality and never-ending nature. 16 years of a cruel blockade on the 2.3 million residents of Gaza. No food imports, no electricity, no essential medical supplies. 5.9 million Palestinian refugees. 6,407 Palestinians killed by Israel (excluding this latest assault) and 162,560 injured since 2008. 700,000 Israeli settlers are living illegally in the occupied West Bank.

A litany of failed "peace negotiations" and all the while hopes for Palestinian self-determination evaporate. Apartheid laws, land confiscations, home demolitions.

As usual, most media reporting completely ignores that sobering context. And Western governments including Australia are as well. The message from these leaders is consistent — "Israel has a right to defend itself". Our PM said the same. But what about the right of Palestinians to defend themselves?

The killing of innocent civilians cannot be condoned. But that applies equally to the occupier as it does to the occupied, and in fact, more so.