PSNA Newsletter No 137 - May 22 2024
22 Haratua 2024
22 May 2024
Newsletter No 137
Kia ora koutou,
Will Alexander – on hunger strike for Gaza!
Former Shortland Street actor Will Alexander goes on hunger strike over NZ government’s complicity in Gaza genocide
Will’s public statement (19 May) announcing his hunger strike is here:
When an Israeli tank hit six-year-old Hind’s car, she witnessed her family die in front of her. She managed to call the Red Crescent, which sent an ambulance. The Israeli forces then attacked the ambulance, killing everyone inside. Hind, the little Palestinian girl, was found dead two weeks later in the car surrounded by the decomposing bodies of her family members.
Hind was one of over 14,000 Palestinian children killed by Israel so far, not including those still buried under the rubble.
This story has moved Will Alexander, a former Shortland Street actor, to take action. At yesterday’s Christchurch rally in support of Palestine, he started his hunger strike and vowed to continue until the government stops supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
“I can no longer stand by while my own government is complicit in an on-going genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. Innocent children are being killed in the thousands. Israel has violated international law for decades with full impunity granted by Western governments like New Zealand.”
Will has three demands for the NZ government:
Withdraw NZ troops from the Red Sea (ie stop bombing Yemen)
Stop NZ company Rakon from supplying components for weapons used by Israel.
Resume and then double humanitarian funding for UNRWA.
New Zealand troops have been deployed to the Red Sea to support its ally, the United States of America, in bombing Yemen for disrupting commercial shipments linked to Israel.
“It doesn’t matter whether our troops are cleaning latrines or pressing the button. Their presence there means that New Zealand is actively supporting the bombing of Yemen just to keep weapons flowing into Israel” said Alexander.
“Rakon is a multinational company with headquarters in Auckland that manufactures components used in bombs and missiles that are ultimately killing Palestinian children. It is a disgrace and something I think all New Zealanders would be against if they knew about it” said Alexander.
“Israel has rained down some of the most advanced weaponry on 2.3 million captive civilians for 7 long months. And not only is New Zealand supporting Israel in doing this, but we have also suspended humanitarian funding to UNRWA despite a famine caused by Israel’s months long siege on Gaza. We shouldn’t be pausing funding - we should be doubling it”, said Alexander.
NZ suspended funding to UNRWA in January when Israel made baseless allegations against the agency. Most donor countries have resumed funding since an independent report for the UN found no evidence for Israel’s allegations. UNRWA is one of the largest humanitarian organisations supporting Palestine through the Israel occupation. UNRWA also provides education and health care to Palestinian refugees in multiple countries in the Middle East.
Famine is one of the weapons of genocide being used against the Palestinian people by
Israel. Only UNRWA has the skills, the capacity and the personnel to deliver the massive humanitarian aid needed for 2.3 million Palestinians across Gaza - funding other groups will not be effective in ending the famine.
“Christopher Luxon is choosing to send support for more bombs while freezing aid for starving Palestinians. It’s a disgrace”, said Alexander.
Israel is standing trial at the International Court of Justice, which found it is “plausible” that Israel has committed acts that violate the Genocide Convention. Under the Genocide Convention, to which New Zealand is a signatory, New Zealand has an obligation to prevent genocide.
On 18 May I began a zero-calorie hunger strike to protest the NZ government supporting Israel's genocide of Palestinians. A video statement I made can been viewed here:
Will Alexander is part of the Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA).
The nastiest of racist war criminals
This is what the International Criminal Court prosecutor has said about these two people leading the slaughtering of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza:
On the basis of evidence collected and examined by my Office, I have reasonable grounds to believe that Benjamin NETANYAHU, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav GALLANT, the Minister of Defence of Israel, bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the State of Palestine (in the Gaza strip) from at least 8 October 2023:
Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Statute;
Wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health contrary to article 8(2)(a)(iii), or cruel treatment as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i);
Wilful killing contrary to article 8(2)(a)(i), or Murder as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i);
Intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population as a war crime contrary to articles 8(2)(b)(i), or 8(2)(e)(i);
Extermination and/or murder contrary to articles 7(1)(b) and 7(1)(a), including in the context of deaths caused by starvation, as a crime against humanity;
Persecution as a crime against humanity contrary to article 7(1)(h);
Other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity contrary to article 7(1)(k).
See the full ICC statement here
Rallies, marches, vigils and protests around the motu this weekend
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
Events list
Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh
Please refer to the specific events listed elsewhere in the Newsletter
Nationwide University Students Rally
Auckland – AUT/UOA - AUT Hikowai Plaza
Hamilton – University of Waikato – Outside the PA Building
Wellington – Victoria University - Tim Beaglehole Courtyard, Kelburn Campus
Christchurch – University of Canterbury – C Block Lawn
Dunedin – University of Otago – Union Lawn
Thursday May 23
12:00 Noon
North Island
Opononi – Gathering for Palestine
Sunday May 26
1:30 pm
Outside the Four Square, Opononi
Whangarei
No Rally this weekend
Waiheke Island – Auckland
Every Saturday
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ostend Market, Waiheke Island
Auckland Picket
Friday 24 May
12:00 noon
US Consulate - 23 Customs Street East, Auckland
Auckland –Banners over Bridges
Saturday 25 May
Text Steve on 021 256 5117 For details
Auckland – Rally and March
Sunday 26 May
2:00 pm
Te Komititanga – Britomart Square
Tauranga
No Rally this weekend
Hamilton – Rally
Saturday 25 May
1:00 pm
Civic Square, Hamilton
Cambridge Rally
Saturday May 25
11:00 am
Cambridge Town Hall
Rotorua – Flags for Todd McClay
Thursday 23 May
4:00 pm
National MP Todd McClays Office - 1301 Amohau St, Rotorua
Napier - Rally
Saturday 25 May
11:30 am
Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Hastings - Rally
Sunday 26 May
2:00 pm
Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
Palmerston North - Rally
Sunday May 26
2:00 pm
The Square, Palmerston North
New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge
Friday 24 May
4:30 pm
Paynters Ave Bridge, New Plymouth
New Plymouth – Rally
Saturday 25 May
1:00 pm
The Landing, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth
Whanganui - Rally
Saturday 25 May
11:00 am
Riverside Market, Whanganui
Carterton
Every Tuesday
12:00 midday
Memorial Square.
Martinborough – Gathering for Palestine
Every Wednesday
11:00 am
The square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough
Masterton
Every Sunday
9:30 am
Town Hall Lawn
Featherston
Every Saturday
11:00 am
The Squircle (opposite the op shop).
Wellington
No Rally this weekend
South Island
Nelson – Rally
Saturday 25 May
10:30 am
1903 Square, Upper Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Blenheim
Saturday 25 May
11:00 am
Blenheim Railway Station
Christchurch – Rally
Saturday 25 May
1:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street
Timaru - Rally
Saturday May 25
9:00 am
Timaru Market, George Street
Dunedin - Rally
Saturday 25 May
2:00 pm
Otago Museum Reserve to the Octagon, Dunedin
Queenstown
No Rally this weekend.
Invercargill - Rally
Sunday 26 May
1:00 pm
Wachner place Invercargill
Three things you can do now with just a few clicks…
1) Copy this letter into an email to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in support of Will Alexander’s hunger strike action.
Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Christopher.Luxon@parliament.govt.nz
Kia ora Mr Luxon,
I am very concerned that a courageous and principled New Zealander, Will Alexander, has taken on a personally dangerous hunger strike because your government has been complicit with Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.
Like Will, I also want our government to:
Resume and double humanitarian funding for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency)
Stop New Zealand company Rakon from supplying components for weapons used by Israel.
Withdraw NZ troops from the Red Sea.
Will was deeply moved by Hind’s story. When an Israeli tank hit 6-year-old Hind’s car, she witnessed her family die in front of her. She managed to call the Red Crescent, which sent an ambulance. The Israeli forces then attacked the ambulance, killing everyone inside. Hind, the little Palestinian girl, was found dead two weeks later in the car surrounded by the decomposing bodies of her family members.
Hind was one of over 14,000 Palestinian children killed by Israel so far, not including those still buried under the rubble.
Israel is standing trial at the International Court of Justice, which found it is “plausible” that Israel has committed acts of genocide. Now the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court has asked for arrest warrants to be issued against Israeli leaders Netanyahu and Gallant.
Under the Genocide Convention, to which New Zealand is a signatory, New Zealand has an obligation to PREVENT genocide.
I am urging you to take the three actions Will has requested which would go some way to meeting our commitments to prevent genocide.
(your name)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2) Share Will’s video on your social media pages.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
3) The campaign continues to have Israel expelled from the Olympic Games and all international sporting codes. Share this image on your social media pages and the hashtag #BANISRAEL
Mazin Qumsiyeh is here!
Poster for Mazin’s Wellington public meeting
Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh from Bethlehem University is here in New Zealand on a three-week tour from mid-May to early June. PSNA is pleased to be one of the groups helping to organise his visit.
Mazin gave the keynote address at PSNA’s national meeting in Auckland last weekend.
Mazin is the founder and volunteer director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University. (Bethlehem is in the Occupied Palestinian Territory of the West Bank) He is a Christian Palestinian which means he brings different insights into the struggle for freedom and human rights for Palestinians.
Some of Mazin’s talks can be found online here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/vCV2EdL36k8?si=drEA_mc90y4ME_8V
https://youtu.be/JPWjuqztLyU?si=yH8jrza3Tx6dnGSm
https://youtu.be/IZFSTAZ4_jw?si=6ibEicIp9WcYtvNU
https://youtu.be/xAIP7-YnexU?si=DECSvuiUh3tvwZtb
While he is here he will be speaking with politicians and academics as well as addressing public meetings, school students, religious leaders, climate activists, universities and rotary clubs etc. He will be speaking about the latest Israeli war on Gaza and the Palestinian struggle for self-determination as well as issues of climate change, bio-diversity and sustainability in Palestine.
Details of public events for Mazin will be in future newsletters – a few to start with are here:
These public meetings are still to be held:
Napier:
Thursday 23rd May, 7.30pm, Taradale Town Hall, Napier and Hastings
Palmerston North:
Friday 24th May, 4pm - 6:30pm, Wilkins Theatrette, Te Manawa Museum, 326 Main Street Topic: "Decolonization minds and nature in Palestine and globally."
Whanganui:
Saturday 25th May, 7.30pm at the Davis Lecture Theatre, Whanganui Museum, Queens Park, Watt Street, Whanganui
Dunedin:
Sunday 26th May, 4pm, All Saint’s Anglican Church, 786 Cumberland Street
Christchurch:
Monday 27th May, 7pm, Transitional Cathedral, 234 Hereford Street, Christchurch
Wellington:
Tuesday 28th May, 7pm, St Andrews on the Terrace Church Hall, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Queenstown:
Friday 31st May, Sherwood Restaurant, 554 Frankton Road, 6pm arrive for 6.30pm to 7.30pm meeting
Nationwide mobilisation for Palestine – Thursday 27 June
This event is in Wellington the day before this year’s Matariki holiday. Mark the date in your calendar now. More details in coming newsletters.
Report from the first Global Anti-Apartheid Conference for Palestine
Johannesburg, South Africa 10 – 12 May 2024
By PSNA Chair John Minto (PSNA reps at the conference were John Minto, Layan Khalil and Tayyaba Khan)
Background:
The genesis of the conference was a formal request a year ago from the Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Co-ordinating Committee to South Africa to host and organise an international anti-apartheid conference on Palestine. A steering committee of local Palestinian and South African activists was formed under the leadership of the high-profile, apartheid-era leader Rev Frank Chikane and included several other activists from South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle such as Ronnie Kasrils and Abdul Minty. Roshan Dadoo from South Africa’s BDS coalition and Na’eem Jennah were prominent organisers. It was referred to as an inaugural conference – the first of others to come.
Conference:
It was an invitation-only event involving civil society groups only; in other words Palestinian political organisations such as the Palestinian Authority, Fatah and Hamas were not invited.
There were around 200 participants - possibly half from South Africa and the rest from around the globe. There was good representation from Africa, the UK and the US with smaller numbers from other European countries, Asia and Latin America and three of us from Aotearoa New Zealand.
The South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor delivered the opening address which was well received. She was formally thanked by Palestinian Christian minister Rev Munther Isaac for taking the case of genocide against Israel to the ICJ.
There were impressive speakers throughout the conference including:
Declan Kearney from Sinn Fein
Na’eem Jeenah and Roshan Dadoo from the South African organising committee
Mustafa Barghouti from the Palestine Initiative
Lamis Deek, a Palestinian lawyer from the US who has been advising student protesters in the US
Ali Abunimah from electronic intifada
the former Turkish foreign minister
An MP from Brazil on behalf of the Lula government
the Namibian Minister of Justice on behalf of the Namibian President etc
Far too much to report back here but a few observations:
Reference was made a few times to South Africa, Namibian and Algeria being at the forefront of African solidarity with Palestine.
Lamis Deek, charismatic and impressive, challenged the focus in western countries on asking for the recognition of Palestine. John talked with her later – she sees the danger in it being a dead end which points to a two-state solution and a second round of Oslo, rather than liberation for Palestinians.
Many speakers talked about the need for Palestinian unity, particularly as the prospect of negotiations come closer. Declan Kearny in particular talked about the importance of this based on Sinn Fein experiences.
Na’eem Jeenah talked about solidarity quoting Mozambique’s former leader Samora Machel who described solidarity in this way
o Solidarity is NOT an act of charity
o Solidarity is “with” and not “for”
o Solidarity is working with conscious allies against capitalism, imperialism and colonialism
o Justice and solidarity are indivisible
Several speakers talked about the international order being in a process of transformation with a growing opportunity for a new international order – one not based on US hegemony.
Several speakers said “there must be no going back to October 6th
The critical importance of BDS (Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions) was emphasised throughout.
There were two rounds of workshops and we spread ourselves across the first round, BDS (Layan), Legal action (Tayyaba) and Palestinian popular and other struggles again settler colonialism and apartheid (John)
The struggles workshop was presented by Fadi Quran, a Palestinian from the occupied West Bank, who introduced himself as someone who has been arrested by Israel authorities as well as by the Palestinian Authority. He was very impressive, emphasising Palestinian unity: Unity of the land (all historic Palestine), Unity of the Palestinian people (15m Palestinians globally) and unity of struggle to achieve justice and peace. He talked about the “punctuated disequilibrium” of the present and a transforming international situation. He said “Zionism is decomposing” – it has been shown not to be able to protect Jews and in fact makes Jewish communities more vulnerable. He spoke of the need for a new broad-based Palestinian leadership to emerge. Regarding the ongoing protests he said:
“Anger can be flaming hot but it can’t cook”
In other words we need to be thinking strategically in what we do – making sure our actions are building the movement going forward rather than just “letting off steam”. There was talk about making the occupation “ungovernable” in the way the South African liberation movements did the same thing in the struggle against South African apartheid.
Regional organising:
Our regional workshop was “Asia Pacific” and only had reps from Aotearoa, India and Sri Lanka. The were two Indian solidarity groups there who had organised an “Asia to Palestine” convoy in 2010 involving 120 or so people over a couple of weeks. We talked about possible regional initiatives.
Looking ahead:
The plan is for regional committees to be formed eg Asia Pacific and for these committees to organise delegates to an international committee. Once the international committee is established the South African committee will be dissolved.
The draft final declaration was read and amendments taken – you can find it here:
Final ‘Call to Action’ from the conference:
There was disappointment the final action plan was unable to be completed in time at the conference – an ambitious aim… but this will happen over the coming weeks.
From my point of view (John) the conference was a huge success. It was positive, united, engaging. It was like a huge ocean liner being constructed and pointed in the right direction. The Call to Action when it comes will be getting it moving in the right direction.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza ready to go from Türkiye but held up by Israeli pressure on supporting countries
Gaza Aid flotilla, due for launch last week has been delayed by ‘Israeli tactics’ here
Keep up to date with developments here https://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/
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
Rebuilding the Gaza Centre for Human Rights
Damage to the Gaza Centre of Human Rights Office after an Israeli air attack in 2021
PSNA has been a long-time supporter of the Gaza Centre for Human Rights. The Centre is making an appeal for funds to rebuild at the earliest opportunity. New Zealander Julie Webb-Pullman worked at the centre for several years as an international expert on gathering evidence of Israeli war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.
Before the latest Israeli attacks the centre had sent over 2000 claims of war crimes relating to Israel’s attack on Gaza in 2014 and its targeting the Great March of Return protests in March 2018.
We will have more about the centre in future newsletters.
In the meantime, people can donate to:
Account name: PALESTINE SOLIDARITY NETWORK
Account number: 38-9015-0849542-02 (Please put GCHR in the reference)
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 monthly Rallies - In Auckland at 2.00 pm on the first Saturday of every month. Please consider doing the same in your community. 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)