An Australian-Israeli killed while fighting with the Israeli army in southern Lebanon is a patriot. An Australian-Lebanese fighting with Hezbollah is a terrorist; his allegiance to Australia harshly questioned. Never mind that both shared the same mission - to fight for their distant homeland.

One's patriot is to another a terrorist. This was played out in the Australian media over the past few weeks.

Readers' letters have questioned the hero-status accorded to a dead Australian-Israeli soldier, who after living in Australia for most of his life, returned to Israel last month (July) to fight the Hezbollah.