JD Vance says the war was to blame and US needs a new policy on Israel. This vindicates all those Democrats who’ve already abandoned support for Israel & totally undercuts the work of America’s Jewish lobby tying US to the Jewish state. Sometimes history gets made very, very fast

Talk of the defeat of MAGA and the populist right is wrong. The fight-back will only strengthen them. The pathologies that produced them haven’t faded.

As Brecht wrote: “Do not rejoice in his defeat, you men. For though the world has stood up and stopped the bastard, the bitch that bore him is in heat again.”

And he’s expressly criticised Jewish lobby organisation AIPAC, and refused to take its cash. Says his opposition to Israel’s behaviour in Gaza is grounded in his Christianity. What a shift and how overdue.

He refused to water down his critique of Israel and defied an avalanche of big dollars from The Lobby. His win was their biggest defeat. Hear there were even funds raised from Australian sources such is the loathing.

Massively successful in Texas Senate race, James Talarico said in August “I would not vote to send weapons to the Netanyahu government.”

North and South Carolina and Maine and Kansas? And a 1994-style sweep of the House? It’s a mandate to turn off the stupendous flow of funds to the Israel-inspired war on Iran and, of course - another popular move - end military aid to Israel (which Trump hints he now supports).

28 votes between R and D in Mississippi. If there is a god…

Among the sweetest wins today was Talarico’s - and not just the Senate, a Dem as Governor of Texas too!

UN: “The intentional killing & injuring of Palestinian civilians & destruction of homes in the West Bank combined w Israel’s persistent denial of responsibility form part of a broader strategy to exterminate & displace Palestinians & impose conditions of life that are unliveable”

Helen Haines, serious legislator and politician, an advertisement for Australian democracy. @AlboMP spoke for the country in his tribute. May she recover with other leg saved and go on to further serve Australia.

Bad call for Greens leader Shoebridge who has been so astute on AUKUS and Gazan genocide to question our support for Ukraine. Russia's invasion is breach of UN Charter and law and norms against aggression.

The principle of collective security to aid small nations mandates our support for Kiev. Unless deterred and blocked Russian revanchism will strike at Poland and the Baltics. Through hybrid warfare it already is.

3 Ministers for Planning at 50th birthday of Landcom last week with former minister and legendary Lord Mayor Frank Sartor and current minister Paul Scully.

Recall Bruce Baird as one of Greiner’s best ministers and leader of the bid to get the Games in 2000. His work for refugees distinguished him in the federal parliament. He was a liberal, when that was his party’s dominant strand.

His personality reflected in the 2 of his children I know, Julia and Mike, to whom I send the warmest condolences. Liked his late wife Judy very much too.

Top Democrats in House & Senate favour sanctions for the Israeli settlements that are destroying any chance of a Palestinian state. Just like France UK Canada. Major shift for Dems. Plus sanctions on settlement products. Expect a Dem majority to also end military aid to Israel