PSNA Newsletter No 153 - September 11 2024
11 Mahuru 2024
11 September 2024
Newsletter No 153
Kia ora koutou,
12 months of genocide in Gaza – what has been New Zealand’s response?
We are approaching the 12 month anniversary of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. This is a hugely important event – please put the dates in your diary now.
Saturday 5th October (the closest Saturday to October 7th)
Monday 7th October
Full details of local events will be in coming newsletters
Thousands of letters land with MPs
Thanks to everyone who has written a letter for all MPs and sent it to us to copy for all MPs. We are now sending thousands of letters to parliament each week…
It’s not too late – see below how you can join in…
The three most important things for you to do this week
1) Have you written your letter to MPs yet?
If not, please read the first item in the newsletter below with simple instructions what to do. If you have written one already then why not write another one this week?
2) Have you sent a letter of complaint to your local supermarket about them selling Obela Hommus yet?
The yellow sticker will be available at your branch next week.
Sample letter of a complaint to your local supermarket
Kia ora,
I am asking you to withdraw Obela Hommus from your shelves because it is supporting the genocide in Gaza. Obela is owned by the Strauss Group in Israel which helps finance and provides “care packages” for Israeli troops involved in genocide in Gaza.
It is unacceptable to have such a product in the store, particularly as the International Court of Justice ruled last month that Israel’s occupation of Palestine is unlawful and that all countries should end any “aid or assistance” to Israel to maintain its illegal occupation.
Selling Israeli products in New Zealand supermarkets is assisting the Israeli economy and provides the very assistance which enables the occupation to continue.
Please stop selling this product which assists genocide and assists Israel to continue its occupation of in Palestine.
Please get back to me without unnecessary delay.
<your name>
<your address etc>
3) Have you signed this petition to parliament from the Palestinian community of New Zealand yet? This is your very last chance before it closes
Write to all Members of Parliament – now if you can!
PSNA is coordinating a national letter-writing campaign aimed at all MPs.
How it works:
All you need to do is write a ONE-page letter and send it to freepalestinenow20230@gmail.com
The letter can be hand-written and scanned or a word document/PDF. Hand-written letters have the most impact.
We will then print 123 copies of it, add a cover letter to it, and send it to Parliament to be distributed.
If you wish to print and send your letter yourself, you can find instructions here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/have-your-say/contact-an-mp/
In this case all you need to do is:
print 123 copies of your letter,
add a covering letter asking to distribute one copy to every MP,
Put them all (123 copies) into a single Envelope – A C4 envelope will hold them all
Send it to Parliament’s physical address. (see below)
NO STAMPS NEEDED – MESSAGES TO MPs ARE POSTAGE FREE.
Address:
All members of Parliament
Care of Distribution Services
Freepost Parliament
Private Bag 18 888
Parliament Buildings
Wellington 6160
What to say:
The most important things are to make the letter uniquely your own, to call for action for Palestine, and to address all Members of Parliament. Your letter will not just be read by one Party - every single MP will read it!
If you wish you can talk a little bit about yourself and give some background information on who you are.
Here’s some useful things you might talk about regarding Palestine:
The genocide has been ongoing for 76 years, but has been at its worst since October 7th last year
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has repeatedly spoken out against Israel including in the recent ruling on 19 July which declared Israel’s occupation in Palestine illegal.
The ICJ has stated that acquiring territory through war is illegal, and the settlements on Palestinian land are also illegal under international law.
Respecting international law means respecting the rights of Palestinians to their land.
The ICJ has ruled that Israel’s continued presence in Occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and Israel must withdraw “as rapidly as possible.” Israel says it will ignore the ICJ.
International law is on our side.
New Zealand needs to get our troops out of Yemen. Why are we attacked people pressuring Israel to end the genocide in Gaza?
We need to act to ensure that New Zealand companies like Rakon cannot provide components to Israel for weapons.
We need to take strong action boycotting, divesting, and sanctioning Israel.
New Zealand needs to actively support South Africa’s International Court of Justice case of genocide against Israel.
We need to recognize the state of Palestine.
We need to increase funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which is by far the most effective deliverer of aid in Gaza.
Over 15,0000 children have been killed - and this is still climbing.
Over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed with many thousands more missing under the rubble.
Use whatever information here you find useful, or use your own information. Variety to the letters is a good thing, so make the letter your own!
Call for an end to genocide in Palestine! Call for the end of Israel’s impunity for war crimes! Call for New Zealand to speak up and end our complicity though silence!
From “Start-up nation” to a “Shut-down nation”
on tomorrow, 9pm, Thursday 12th September!
PSNA is joining with solidarity groups in Australia to help promote this important webinar based around BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) against apartheid Israel. Use the QR code to sign up. The time will be 9pm in New Zealand.
Nation-Wide day(s) of action: September 6
Rally poster for Ōtautahi/Christchurch
To view events around Aotearoa:
· Go to the PSNA Homepage – www.PSNA.nz
· Scroll down to the button “For a list of events Nationwide, please click here - Check back often for updates”
· Click the button
· Check back on Friday for any moves, adds or changes
Or events are on the PSNA Facebook events page here
There are more than 30 events around the Motu this week.
North Island
Opononi – Rally for Palestine
Sunday 15 September
1:30 pm
Outside the Four Square, Opononi
Kerikeri - Rally
First Saturday of the month
Whangarei – Rally
Saturday 14 September
No Rally this weekend
Auckland – Say Hi to Minister of Defense Collins and Minister of Immigration Stanford at morning tea
Friday 13 September
7:00 – 9:00 am
Clevedon Community Hall, 1 Papakura Clevedon Road
Waiheke – Market Stall – hosted by Stand With Palestine Waiheke!
Every Saturday
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ostend Market, Waiheke Island
Auckland – Banners around Tamaki Makaurau
Saturday 14 September
9:00 am - Noon
Bond Street overbridge
Auckland – Rally at Britomart
Saturday 14 September
2:00 pm
Te Komititanga - Britomart Square
Thames – Vigil to Stop the war on Children
(Hosted by The Basket – Social and Environmental Justice - Hauraki)
First Saturday of the month
Tauranga
Sunday 15 September
11:00 am
Corner Domain and Gravatt Roads, Papamoa
Hamilton – Rally for Palestine
Saturday 14 September
1:00 pm
Civic Square, Hamilton
Cambridge - Rally for Palestine
Every Saturday
11:00 am
Cambridge Town Hall
Gisborne - Farmers Market - Vigil to Stop the war on Children
Every Saturday
9:30 – 11:30 am
Gisborne Farmers Market
Rotorua – Rally for Palestine
Every Thursday
4:00 pm
Rotorua Lakes Council, Haupapa Street (Sir Howard Morrison Corner)
Napier - Rally for Palestine
Saturday 14 September
11:30 am
Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Hastings – Rally for Palestine
Sunday 8 September
1:00 pm
Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
Palmerston North - Rally for Palestine
Sunday 15 September
2:00 pm
The Square, Palmerston North
New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge
Friday 13 September
4:30 pm
Paynters Ave Bridge
New Plymouth – March for Gaza
Saturday 14 September
1:00 pm
The Landing, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth
Whanganui - Rally for Palestine
Saturday 14 September
11:00 am
Riverside Market, Whanganui
Carterton – Gathering for Gaza
Every Tuesday
12:00 midday
Memorial Square.
Martinborough – Vigil for Palestine
Every Wednesday
11:00 am
The square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough
Masterton - Gathering for Gaza
Every Sunday
9:30 am
Town Hall Lawn
Featherston – Gathering for Gaza
Every Saturday
11:00 am
The Squircle (opposite the op shop).
Wellington – Vigil for Palestine (by Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine)
Every Friday
6:00 pm
In front of Wellington Hospital
49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington
Wellington – Flags on the Bridge
(hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
Every Friday
7:15 – 8:15 am
Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
Wellington – Obela boycott protest
(hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
Saturday 14 September
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Waitangi Park Bowlzilla Skatepark area
107 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington - Across from Chaffers New World
South Island
Nelson – Rally for Palestine
Saturday 14 September
10:30 am
Nelson Squash Club car park, Paru Paru Road
Blenheim - Rally for Palestine
Saturday 14 September
11:00 am
Blenheim Railway Station
Christchurch – Rally for Palestine
Saturday 14 September
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Timaru
No Rally this weekend
Dunedin – Rally for Palestine
Saturday 14 September
1:00 pm
Otago Museum Reserve to the Octagon, Dunedin
Queenstown
No Rally this weekend
Invercargill - Rally for Palestine
Sunday 15 September
1:00 pm
Wachner place Invercargill
Noisy protest drowns out ACT meeting
Read the story in the Nelson newspaper here and watch a great little video here which has the action inside the meeting.
The best way to get a sticker on Obela Hommus
From a supporter: “We've worked out a technique whereby you put the sticker on the palm of your hand (sticky side up), take an Obela dip container and examine the bottom of the container for product info. Put it back on the shelf and voila! The sticker is on the lid! Then look at another product. I find I can do about 3-4 that way”
Update on legal case to hold government for its failure to uphold New Zealand responsibilities under the Genocide Convention and international law
PSNA has sent our second letter to the government responding to their refusal to act to prevent genocide in Gaza as is required under the Genocide Convention. Here is the letter:
4 September 2024
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Hon Judith Collins
Attorney General
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
CC
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt Hon Winston Peters
Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Todd McClay
Minister of Immigration, Hon Erica Stanford
Associate Minister of Immigration, Hon Casey Costello
Associate Minister of Defence, Hon Chris Penk
Minister of Regulation, Hon David Seymour
Minister of State for Trade, Hon Nicola Grigg
Tēna koe e Mr Luxon kōrua ko Ms Collins,
RE: The New Zealand Government’s ongoing breaches of international law and individual criminal liability pursuant to the Rome Statute
We, the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, write again to you to raise our concerns as to Aotearoa’s breaches of international law regarding Israel’s war on Gaza, and individual criminal liability pursuant to the Rome Statute.
This letter responds to the letter we received from Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the New Zealand Government on 22 July 2024.
In this letter we request the New Zealand Government investigate whether New Zealand officials or other New Zealanders may be liable as secondary parties to Israel’s international crimes.
Due to the seriousness of our concerns, and the Attorney-General’s role in considering any prosecution for international crimes in New Zealand, we address this letter to the Prime Minister and to the Attorney-General.
We remind you that the Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court has sought arrest warrants for Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The New Zealand Government’s position on the conflict
Despite Mr Peters’ assertions, we remain concerned by the New Zealand Government’s position on the conflict and its disregard for international law.
The Government is well aware of the scale and severity of Israel’s international crimes, and its breaches of binding orders by the International Court of Justice intended to prevent genocide.
However, the Government has never condemned Israel for any of its grave violations since 7 October 2023, nor denounced its breaches of orders made by the International Court of Justice.
On 10 August, Israel bombed a school sheltering displaced people during morning prayers. A fire ripped through the school, and over 100 people died.
This particularly severe attack triggered a wave of condemnations from the international community. The New Zealand Government said nothing, as it has said nothing in response to Israel’s numerous other bombings of schools, its attacks on Gaza’s hospitals and its military assault on Rafah in breach of orders by the International Court of Justice.
The New Zealand Government condemned Hamas for its attack on Israel. It condemned Iran for its attempted missile attack on Israel in April 2024. It condemned Hezbollah for its strike on the Occupied Syrian Golan Heights in July 2024. Yet none of Israel’s crimes in Gaza (or other attacks on its neighbours) have drawn New Zealand condemnation.
New Zealand has a range of foreign policy tools it can use to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and to prevent genocide, pursuant to its international law obligations:
Condemning Israel’s atrocities;
Lodging diplomatic protests with Israel (as the John Key government did in 2014 over the killing of 1400 Palestinians)
Applying diplomatic sanctions;
Suspending diplomatic relations;
Applying autonomous sanctions (as have been enacted against Russia).
None of these tools have been used.
We do not accept that New Zealand raising its concerns with Israel bilaterally, and publicly calling on Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and the International Court of Justice, amounts to New Zealand upholding international law. Leader-level statements condemning violations against children in the world at large are similarly inadequate. Until the New Zealand Government, at the very least, expresses its condemnation of Israel’s serious breaches of peremptory norms, it presents a position that Israel has not seriously breached peremptory norms.
We reply as follows to the explanations given in Mr Peters’ letter on behalf of the New Zealand Government in response to our allegations.
Failure to prevent export of military components for use in weaponry by Israel
Our serious concerns that New Zealand-produced crystal oscillators are being permitted through the export controls regime to be sent to the United States for incorporation into guided missiles attacking Gaza remain unanswered. We have not suggested that these strategic goods are being exported directly to Israel, but rather to the United States.
Participation in RIMPAC military exercises alongside IDF personnel
We understand that the NZDF’s primary purpose in participating in RIMPAC is to work with partners in the “Indo-Pacific”, rather than Israel. However, the NZDF has now trained alongside the IDF while it is committing international crimes.
Participation in military operations against the Houthi
We understand that the Houthi attacks on ships are illegal under international law, which you (Prime Minister) and Mr Peters have both described as illegal and profoundly destabilising. However, we take issue with the New Zealand Government’s participation in operations against the Houthis while it takes no action against Israel for its illegal and profoundly destabilising war on Gaza, the cause of the Houthi attacks.
Withholding approval for funding of UNRWA
We understand that New Zealand did not pause funding for UNRWA. We note in Mr Peters’ letter the Government’s view that UNRWA plays a unique and essential role in ensuring the humanitarian, development, and protection needs of Palestinian refugees are met. Our issue is that none of New Zealand’s upscaled funding for Palestinians has been allocated to UNRWA, despite it having the best capacity to assist in Gaza. We reiterate our call for funding to be increased to UNRWA to meet the desperate humanitarian situation.
Failure to issue humanitarian visas for Palestinians in Gaza who have family in New Zealand
It is difficult but not impossible for Palestinians to escape Gaza to Egypt, despite Israel’s control of the border at Rafah. Israel’s policy restricting exit permits is no justification for New Zealand declining to help those who seek refuge, as we did for Ukrainians in 2022. Numerous NGOs, charities, academics, and recently the Labour Party have all called on the Government to establish a humanitarian visa.
Diplomatic relations with Israel
We understand the government believes in the importance of dialogue between New Zealand and Israel despite Palestinian calls for a diplomatic boycott of Israel. However there must be recourse to a hierarchy of diplomatic actions. This should start with condemnation of Israel’s military actions, denouncing its breaches of the binding provisional measures of the International Court of Justice, and calling in the Israeli ambassador to lodge our formal protest.
Failure to suspend the Israel Working Holiday Visa for Israeli citizens who have served with the IDF carrying out international crimes
Mr Peters’ letter on behalf of the Government notes that Israelis who apply for a working holiday visa are subject to character checks, and that any applicant under investigation for, or convicted of, war crimes would be ineligible for entry to New Zealand. Plainly, no Israeli individuals are being prosecuted in Israel for their involvement in state sponsored war crimes. New Zealand has no mechanism to screen Israeli visa applicants for commission of international crimes. We reiterate that Israelis who have served in the IDF should not be eligible for the working holiday visa.
Continuing to allow shipping company ZIM to use New Zealand ports
We understand that requiring New Zealand ports to cease providing port facilities to ZIM would amount to an economic sanction, requiring legislation. There is no bar to this in international law. Given ZIM’s stated top priority of meeting the needs of the Israeli government and defence ministry, we reiterate our demand that New Zealand ports be required to cease providing facilities to ZIM.
Failure to implement a ban on investments in, and imports from, companies building and maintaining illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land in line with UN Security Council resolution 2334
Mr Peters’ letter on behalf of the Government suggests that New Zealand cannot ban investments in and imports from these companies, as this would require UN sanctions. In international law this is incorrect. On the contrary, the International Court of Justice has recently emphasised the obligation on states to not render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.[1] This includes abstaining from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory.[2] In these circumstances New Zealand is in fact obliged to direct the NZ Super Fund, ACC, and approved Kiwisaver providers to divest from the companies identified by the UN to be involved in illegal settlements, and to stop procurement from those companies.
Failure to engage with proceedings in the genocide case at the International Court of JusticeCalling on Israel to comply with the binding provisional measures of the International Court of Justice does not amount to engaging in the genocide proceedings filed by South Africa. The inconsistency we have identified between New Zealand’s usually active involvement in the International Court of Justice and our absence in this instance remains unanswered.
Request to investigate criminal responsibility
Despite Mr Peters’ letter, we are deeply concerned that New Zealanders (officials and otherwise) may have intentionally lent support to Israel’s commission of international crimes, making them liable as secondary parties under the Rome Statute.
We are particularly concerned by avenues of material support by New Zealanders for the attacks on Gaza and we seek your immediate attention to this:
·Whether New Zealand-produced Rakon crystal oscillators have been used to guide US-made missiles attacking Gaza;
Whether Rocket Lab (a company which has received significant New Zealand government investment) has launched US satellites used to gather intelligence for the war on Gaza;
Whether New Zealand signals intelligence has been used for the war on Gaza;
Whether any other New Zealand companies are contributing to the supply chain of weapons used in Gaza, or to intelligence-gathering for the war.
Where New Zealand officials have intentionally facilitated such material support to the war, they may be liable as parties to Israel’s international crimes.
As outlined in our previous letter, we are also concerned by the political support New Zealand leaders have lent Israel by characterising its attacks on Gaza as self-defence, and shifting responsibility for the ongoing war to Hamas. This includes by characterising Hamas as an impediment to a ceasefire, a position repeated recently in the CANZ leaders joint statement of 26 July 2024, despite Hamas agreeing to the UN Security Council-endorsed ceasefire in June 2024. New Zealand must cease giving political cover to Israel’s aggression.
It is important to note New Zealand is increasingly out of step with its “traditional allies” considering the United Kingdom’s assertive statement at the United Nations Security Council holding Israel to account for its attacks on schools and civilian areas and within the last few days announcing a suspension of some arms exports to Israel. This stands in contrast to the ongoing silence of the New Zealand government and its refusal to suspend Rakon Limited’s exports of bomb components to US weapons manufacturers which almost certainly end up supporting the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza.
We also identify as relevant the Government’s maintenance of close diplomatic ties with Israel throughout its war on Gaza, in effect ensuring Israel is aware of New Zealand’s continued support despite its crimes.
We seek that the New Zealand Government investigate the criminal responsibility of New Zealanders who may be secondary parties to Israel’s international crimes, while also taking action as we have demanded to bring to an end New Zealand’s support for these crimes.
As noted in our previous letter, where there is evidence that New Zealand leaders (or indeed, other New Zealanders) have aided and abetted Israel or otherwise been complicit in carrying out international crimes, they may be referred to the International Criminal Court by a communication made pursuant to Article 15 of the Rome Statute.
We note that such a communication made to the International Criminal Court regarding the alleged responsibility of Australian leaders for genocide in Gaza has now been formally included in the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the Situaton in the State of Palestine.
Please respond without unnecessary delay.
Nā,
John Minto
National Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
[1] Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice: Legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem at [279].
[2] Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice: Legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem at [278].
Update on complaint to Broadcasting Standards Authority
“The most appalling piece of journalism we have ever seen” was how we described Jack Tame’s interview with the Israeli Ambassador in April this year. Our complaint to Television New Zealand was rejected so we have taken it to the Broadcasting Standards Authority. The Authority are meeting next month to consider our complaint – we will keep you posted.
Sarah Friedland speaks out
A 30-second video clip of the courageous statement by Jewish American filmmaker Sarah Friedland when she accepted an award at the Venice Film Festival last night here
18-year-old L M Taz puts our politicians to shame
Article in her school newsletter from 18-year-old LM Taz. An eloquent summary of the situation in Palestine/Israel which puts our politicians to shame
Genocide in their own words
“If you gave me a button to just erase Gaza, every single living being in Gaza would no longer be living tomorrow. I would press it in a second.”
—Eytan Weinstein, “Two Nice Jewish Boys” Podcast
Israeli podcasters are laughing about genocide. What would it take to stop? here
Popular Israeli podcasters call to ‘erase every living being’ in Gaza and West Bank here (video)
FREE FREE PALESTINE – Music video by Dean Hapeta of Upper Hutt Posse
Music video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arjFMUD8UbI
Free Download at: https://uhpmusic.bandcamp.com/track/free-free-palestine (enter $0 at Buy Digital Track for HQ wav file)
Remember BDS for Aotearoa New Zealand
Remember our big six BDS targets for Aotearoa New Zealand?
Obela Hummus
Ahava skin care products
Sodastream
HP (Hewlett-Packard)
BP and Caltex
McDonalds
Made in Palestine – Exhibition/Fundraiser
Proceeds to Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF)
MADE IN PALESTINE
EXHIBITION / FUNDRAISER
Pinky Fang & Emily Hartley-Skudder
with Scent by Nathan Taare
DRIVE-THRU Gallery, 2 Riddiford St, Newtown, Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Opening event: 3pm Saturday 17th August / Closing event: 3pm Saturday 7th September
Note: The gallery will also be open throughout the month on Fridays and Saturdays from 11- 4pm.
Important stories this week
Editor’s Pick’s
German envoy admits he spread lie about October 7 mass rapes here
Satellite Imagery Shows Vast Destruction in Rafah here
Testing the boundaries of ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank here
The Israeli army continues to escalate its attacks on the Gaza Strip during the polio vaccination campaign here
When Six Israelis Are Mourned More Than 40,000 Palestinians here
'I recognised her by her roller skate': Israeli strike on Gaza kills children playing in the street here
Israel Continues Deadly West Bank Incursion, Destroying Streets, Homes, Water & Health Infrastructure here
This speech on Palestine will shake you to the core here
The west truly doesn’t see Palestinians as human here
"The Brutality Is Truly Unprecedented" in West Bank: Mariam Barghouti on Israel's Deadly Incursions here
Immigration New Zealand’s response to the conflict between Hamas and Israel | Immigration New Zealand here
Other Stories
Australia’s collaboration with Israel’s genocide here
Doctors examine an injured child brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital after an Israeli attack on the Maghazi refugee camp in Deir el-Balah. [Doaa Albaz/Anadolu via Getty Images]
Gaza death toll surpasses 40,900 as Israel kills 61 more Palestinians here
Israeli forces horrifically mutilate Palestinian boy after killing him in West Bank here
UK doctor: ‘80% of Gaza victims I treated were children’ here
US citizen shot dead by Israeli troops during West Bank protest here
Autopsy of Turkish-American activist shows she was killed by sniper’s bullet to the head: Nablus governor here
How Israel’s war on Gaza is destroying Palestinian education here
New footage shows mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prison here
France slaps Telegram CEO with 12 criminal charges after Israel calls platform 'uncooperative' here
Meta’s role in Israel’s digital proxy war on The Cradle here
Meta’s Oversight Board rules ‘from the river to the sea’ not hate speech here
‘Game of demographics’: How Israel aims to wipe out Palestinians from Occupied East Jerusalem here
Israel’s Shadow Over Free Speech: The Truth Behind the TikTok Ban Bill here
The ethnic cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappe
A reader tells us this book can be obtained on electronic copy at no cost here Printed copies are available from The Nile, $26.10 + shipping from here.
There is also a 15-page article from Ilan Pappe based on the book and that is available here
Remember BDS for Aotearoa New Zealand
Remember our big six BDS targets for Aotearoa New Zealand?
Obela Hummus
Ahava skin care products
Sodastream
HP (Hewlett-Packard)
BP and Caltex
McDonalds
Watch out for this man promoting racism and apartheid
Here he is – the Israeli ambassador – watch out for him around Aotearoa New Zealand – if you hear of any planned appearances or speaking engagements please contact us urgently: Email apartheid-Israel@PSNA.nz or text 027 4 APARTHEID or 027427278.
Israeli ambassador Ran Yaakoby
Reminder: Dates for Palestine Solidarity during the year
Israel apartheid week has been added to the dates for likely local and national Palestine solidarity activity this year.
28 Mar – 4 Apr Israel Apartheid Week
30 Mar Land Day Palestine
5 Apr Palestinian Childs Day
9 Apr Deir Yassin massacre - Irgun Terrorism - 107-120 Palestinian men, women and children massacred
17 Apr Palestinian Prisoners Day
11 May World Kufiya Day
15 May Nakba Day – marking the mass ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Palestine in 1948
5 Jun Nakba Day - Start of 1967 War - Land Grab – Invasion of Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza, Egypt and Syria - 5 June 1967 – 10 June 1967
20 Jun Attack on Gaza - 6–21 May 2021 (2 weeks and 1 day)
16-18 Sep 40th anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila massacres
28 Sep Second Intifada - 28 Sept 2000 – 8 Feb 2005
2 Nov Balfour Declaration
29 Nov United Nations - International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
8 Dec First Intifada - 8 Dec 1987 – 13 Sept 1993
Are you able to donate a cup of coffee a month to the campaign?
We will need some serious money to make our campaign as effective as possible. For example, we will need somewhere in the vicinity of $25,000 to bring speakers to New Zealand over the next year and organise large public meetings to help spread the message.
You can help. Are you able to donate a cup of coffee a month to the campaign? In other words, can you afford to make an automatic payment of $5 per month to support the Palestinian struggle? (If you can afford more that would be great!)
Our account details are:
Account name: Palestine Solidarity Network
Account number: 38-9015-0849542-00
We are happy to provide a receipt upon request (however, we are not a registered charity so this is not tax-deductible)
In Occupied Palestine daily newsletter – an invitation to subscribe from Leslie Bravery
Because of mainstream news media complicity, daily headlines and commentary only occasionally ever mention the relentless Israeli violence in Palestine, not even the frequent air strikes!
However, daily news and statistics regarding the violence Palestinians are forced to live under are regularly reported on in the “In Occupied Palestine daily newsletter”, sourced and compiled for easy reading and correlation chiefly from the Palestinian Monitoring Group's daily situation reports.
The In Occupied Palestine daily newsletter continues to be circulated, by email, worldwide to subscribers only, as it has been over the last two decades.
Please contact lesliebravery@icloud.com if you also wish to become a subscriber.
Merchandise for sale
We have Merchandise you can buy including T-shirts from our website.
Go here - https://www.psna.nz/shop
More ways you can get involved
Forward this Newsletter – If you know people who may be interested in this movement, please forward this Newsletter to them.
Join in local activities in your area - Contact Secretary@PSNA.nz if you would like to know where and how to get Flags and Banners
Help set up a Students for Justice in Palestine groups on your campus
Tell Your MP your opinions on Divestment and Sanctions of Israel.
Write Letters to Newspapers – Call Talkback Radio
Keep in touch with the campaign on social media
o NZ Palestine Solidarity Network website: https://www.PSNA.nz
o NZ Palestine Solidarity Network Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/671376706283605/
o NZ Palestine Solidarity Network email: Secretary@PSNA.nz
The Palestine Human Rights Campaign produces the In Occupied Palestine newsletter. It is a regular daily newsletter on the daily situation in Palestine, compiled by Leslie Bravery and emailed to subscribers. If you would also like to become a subscriber, please contact Leslie at “lesliebravery @ icloud .com” (remove the spaces to use as an email address) for further information.
Keep Updated on our Facebook pages and websites (listed below)
Human rights for Uyghur refugees - In line with our support for human rights for the people of Palestine we have added our name to the petition in support of human rights for Uyghur refugees so they can be included in the government’s refugee quota. PSNA members who wish to also sign this petition can do so here - https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/open-letter-let-s-show-compassion-to-the-uyghur-community
PSNA Groups
PSNA National Committee
Website: www.PSNA.nz
Chair - John Minto: Chair@PSNA.nz
Secretary - Neil Scott: Secretary@PSNA.nz
Regional Groups
Bay of Islands PSN Bay of Islands (Email)
Whangarei PSN Whangarei (Facebook)
Auckland PSN Auckland – Tamaki Makaurau (Website)
Hamilton Palestine Human Rights Campaign Waikato (Facebook)
Tauranga Tauranga Moana 4 Palestine (Facebook)
Napier/Hastings Aotearoa Standing with Palestine (Facebook)
Palmerston North PSN Palmerston North (Email)
New Plymouth PSN Taranaki (Facebook)
Wellington PSN Wellington (Email)
Nelson Te Tau Ihu (Nelson) Palestine (Facebook)
Christchurch PSN Christchurch (Facebook)
Dunedin Dunedin for Justice in Palestine (Facebook)
Invercargill PSNA Invercargill (Email)