PSNA Newsletter No 173- January 29 2025
29 Kohitātea 2024
29 December 2024
Newsletter No 173
Genocide Hotline – action that will save Palestinian lives
The genocide hotline we launched last week has taken off. It has enthused our supporters with a campaign which gets civil society to act when our government cowers. Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and is about to resume its indiscriminate killing of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
This campaign will do more to save Palestinian lives than any other initiative we have taken so far in the campaign against Israel’s genocide. The message to Israel is that they may have the New Zealand government in their pocket but New Zealand civil society will take action to hold Israel to account for the genocide they are perpetrating in Gaza.
As is to be expected the pro-Israel lobby is squirming and trying to claim the campaign in somehow anti-semitic. These people would find anti-semitism in the words “the” and “and” if it was all they had to go on. They are furious we are telling genocidal Israeli soldiers they are not welcome here while never speaking a word of criticism of Israel for its daily war crimes.
Through our poster, the message on the genocide hotline and our publicity we are making it clear what the campaign is doing and what it is NOT about. The focus is NOT on Israelis – the focus is on IDF soldiers and reservists here for “rest and recreation” from the industrial-scale killing of Palestinians.
Our supporters have welcomed the campaign and the poster and media release have been widely shared on social media. The actions we take with the information that is coming in will be clear and consistent – these Israeli soldiers are not welcome here.
The most important message the campaign sends is to Israel and says that even if western governments are complicit in genocide, civil society in the western world does not accept Israeli impunity for war crimes. In that sense it’s a disruptive campaign from the cosy position Israel enjoys through government inaction here.
Of everything we have done in the past 16 months – this action is one that will save Palestinian lives.
The campaign has been reported here in the NZ Herald and here in Stuff
Two other media releases we have issued about the campaign over the past few days
Tuesday 28th January:
Predictable lineup of apologists for Israel attack PSNA campaign
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, the Chief Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow and the New Zealand Jewish Council have lined up to protect Israeli soldiers in New Zealand on “rest and recreation” from the industrial-scale killing of Palestinians in Gaza.
“We are not surprised to see such a predictable lineup of apologists for Israel and its genocide in Gaza from lining up to attack a PSNA campaign with false smears of anti-semitism”, says PSNA National Chair John Minto.
“Why is concern for the sensitivities of soldiers from a genocidal Israeli campaign more important than condemning the genocide itself?”
Over 16 months Mr Peters has done absolutely nothing to put any pressure on Israel to end its genocidal behaviour but is full of bluff and bluster and outright lies to denounce those who demand Israel be held to account.
If Mr Peters was doing his job he would not only stop Israeli soldiers coming here (as per Russian soldiers) but he would also support the recent International Court of Justice ruling and deny visas to any Israeli with an address in an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Human Rights Commission has issued a disingenuous media release – our campaign has nothing to do with Israelis or Jews – it is a campaign to stop Israeli soldiers coming here for rest and recreation after a campaign of wholesale killing of Palestinians in Gaza. To imply the campaign is targeting Jews is disgusting and despicable.
Some of the soldiers will be Druse, some Palestinian Arabs and others will be Jews.
In the meantime PSNA salutes the brave Israelis who have refused to take part in the genocide.
The deeply racist New Zealand Jewish Council regularly makes a meal of false smears of anti-semitism and they are at it again here. It’s deeply problematic that this Jewish Council strategy takes attention away from the real anti-semitism which exists in New Zealand and around the world.
“The priority of the Jewish Council is to protect Israel from criticism and protect it from accountability for its apartheid policies, ethnic cleansing and genocide”.
We are demanding that accountability.
Wednesday 29th January:
The government has begun to “go through the motions” of questioning Israeli soldiers at the border but it’s just a “look busy” policy – too little too late!
The government has begun questioning Israeli soldiers about their military service in Gaza at the New Zealand border as revealed in a Times of Israel story today which says:
“New Zealand’s government immigration authority has begun to require Israelis applying for a visa to report details of their military service as a condition for entry, and at least one person has been denied admission after doing so, The Times of Israel has learned”
However, the details of the questions asked reveals the government is simply “going through the motions” to weed out possible war criminals.
The key questions asked are:
“Have you been associated with any intelligence service or group, or law enforcement agency?”
“Have you been associated with any group or organization that has used or promoted violence or human rights abuses to further their aims?”
“Have you committed or been involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or human rights abuses?”
It’s obvious how every soldier will answer those questions and New Zealand is none the wiser.
What the story also reveals is that the rejection rate for visas for Israelis coming here has not changed since the genocide began in Gaza.
An analysis of INZ statistical data indicates that the rejection rate for Israeli visa applications to New Zealand during the war has been approximately four percent. This is not unusually high compared to previous years or the rejection rates for citizens of other developed countries.
It’s clear the questioning of Israeli soldiers is not revealing people involved in war crimes and is a “look busy” policy. This gives more reason for the government to adopt PSNA policy and suspend all visas for anyone who has served in the IDF since 7 October 2023.
The government must also uphold the International Court of Justice Advisory opinion (19 July 2024) which calls on the government to end support for Israel’s illegal occupation. This means we should also deny entry to every Israeli wanting to visit here who has an address in an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Something you can do now with just a few clicks…
Stephen Rainbow
Write a complaint to the Human Rights Commission about Israel soldiers coming to New Zealand for rest and recreation after taking part in the genocide in Gaza.
Stephen Rainbow
Chief Human Rights Commissioner
infoline@hrc.co.nz
Kia ora Mr Rainbow,
Israeli soldiers in New Zealand from the genocide in Gaza
I want the Human Rights Commission to insist the government suspend visas for any Israeli soldier or reservist who has served in the IDF since October 7th 2023.
I also want the Human Rights Commission to uphold the International Court of Justice Advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 which calls on the government to end support for Israel’s illegal occupation. This means the HRC must press the government to deny entry to every Israeli wanting to visit here who has an address in an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
I look forward to hearing from you shortly.
(your name)
PSNA national conference February 22/23 in Wellington
PLEASE NOTE: If you are booking travel to come please note the conference will begin at 9am on Saturday 22 February and finish at 3pm on Sunday 23 February.
The venue for the National Conference is the Willeston Conference Centre, Level, 11/15 Willeston Street, Wellington Central, Wellington
We are looking forward to a fantastic, uplifting conference with Palestinian playwright, scholar, commentator and poet, Samah Sabawi, as the keynote speaker alongside workshops to plan out campaigns for a liberated Palestine.
We’d love to see you there!
We are asking everyone coming to register beforehand here:
Can you help with billeting?
We also have a large number of people coming from outside Wellington and we are asking Wellington supporters if they can help with providing billeting. The biggest demand will be for the Saturday night 22 February but we will also need beds on the Friday and Sunday nights.
If you can provide a bed for a night or two then please email our secretary Neil Scott on secretary@PSNA.nz
We look forward to seeing you there!
Nationwide rallies/marches/MP protests/vigils this week
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
Saturday 1 February
No Rally this weekend
Kerikeri - Rally
First Saturday of the month
Saturday 1 February
9:00 – 1:00 am
Kerikeri roundabout, State highway 10
Whangarei – Rally
No Rally this week
Waiheke – Market Stall – hosted by Stand With Palestine Waiheke!
Every Saturday
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ostend Market, Waiheke Island
Auckland – Stand for Palestine
Monday – Friday
3:00 – 4:00 pm at the US Consulate - 23 Customs Street East
4:00 – 5:00 pm at Te Komititanga Britomart Square
Auckland Picket – Soda Stream
Wednesday 29 January
12:00 Mid day – 1 Queens street at Te Komititanga Britomart Square
Auckland – Banners around Tamaki Makaurau
Every Saturday
This week
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
intersection of Great North Rd and Railside Ave/Ratanui Rd
Auckland – Rally for Palestine
Saturday 1 February
2:00 pm
Te Komititanga - Britomart Square, Tamaki Makaurau
Thames – Vigil to Stop the war on Children
(Hosted by The Basket – Social and Environmental Justice - Hauraki)
Saturday 1 February
1:00 pm
Thames Market, 700 Pollen Street, Thames
Tauranga - Flags
Sunday 2 February
11:00 am
Bethlehem shopping center, SH 2 Bethlehem
Hamilton – Flag Waving for Palestine
Saturday 1 February
1:00 pm
Flynn Park, Cnr Wairere Drive & Naylor, Hamilton
Hamilton – Rally
Saturday 1 February
No Rally week
Raglan
Saturday 1 February
Nothing this week
Cambridge - Rally for Palestine
Every Saturday
11:00 am
Cambridge Town Hall
Rotorua – Rally for Palestine
Every Thursday
4:30 pm
National MP Todd McClays Office - Cnr Amohau and Ranolf St lights, Rotorua
Gisborne - Farmers Market - Vigil to Stop the war on Children
Every Saturday
9:30 – 11:30 am
Gisborne Farmers Market
Napier - Rally for Palestine
Saturday 1 February
11:30 am
Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Hastings – Rally for Palestine
Sunday 2 February
1:00 pm
Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
Palmerston North - Rally
Every Sunday
2:00 pm
The Square, Palmerston North
New Plymouth – Flags at the Council
Every Friday
4:00 – 5:30 pm
New Plymouth District Council, 84 Liardet Street
New Plymouth – Swim for Palestine plus Pot Luck BBQ
Saturday 1 February
1:00 PM
East End Reserve, Buller Street. New Plymouth
Whanganui - Rally for Palestine
Saturday 1 February
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, Masterton
Featherston – Gathering for Gaza
Every Saturday
11:00 am
The Squircle (opposite the op shop).
Wellington – Flags on the Bridge
(hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
Every Friday
7:45 – 8:45 am
Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
Wellington – Vigil for Palestine
(hosted by Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine)
Every Friday
6:00 pm
In front of Wellington Hospital, 49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington
Wellington – Rally
(hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
Saturday 1 February
1:00 pm
Glover Park to Cuba Mall
Check out https://www.instagram.com/falastin_tea_collective for details
South Island
Nelson – Rally for Palestine
Saturday 1 February
10:30 am
1903 Square, Upper Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Blenheim - Rally for Palestine
Saturday 1 February
11:00 am
Blenheim Railway Station
Picton – Rally for Palestine
Every Saturday
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Picton Foreshore
Christchurch – Flags for Palestine
Friday 31 January
4:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Christchurch – Rally for Palestine
Saturday 1 February
1:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Akaroa Voices for Peace – Film - "No other land "
Thursday 29th January
7:00 pm
Ethel cinema in Akaroa
Tickets are $12.00 which can be directly booked from Ethel
Timaru
No Rally this weekend
Dunedin – Rally
Saturday 1 February
No Rally this weekend
Queenstown
No rally this weekend
Invercargill - Rally for Palestine
Sunday 26 January
No rally this week
Samah Sabawi’s tour
Poster for Samah’s Ōtautahi public meeting
As well as addressing our national meeting in Wellington, Samah Sabawi will be visiting these centres around the country. Watch for further details to come:
Sunday 16 Feb – Auckland
· 2pm Book Reading at Takapuna library
· 7pm Public Meeting at Freeman’s Bay Community Centre
Monday 17 Feb – Hamilton
Tuesday 18 Feb – Wellington
Wednesday 19 Feb – Dunedin
Thursday 20 Feb – Christchurch
· 7pm Public Meeting at Transitional Cathedral (Scorpio Books will have stall)
Friday 21 Feb – Nelson
Saturday 22 Feb – Wellington
(Keynote address at PSNA national meeting)
Arundhati Roy delivers a passionate critique of the oppression faced by Palestinians
Arundhati Roy delivers a passionate critique of the oppression faced by Palestinians, highlighting the historical context and ongoing violence resulting from Israel's occupation. They call for a broader understanding of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza , condemning the complicity of the US and other powerful nations while challenging the idea of the US as a neutral mediator. Advocating for the right of Palestinians to resist their oppression, the speaker draws parallels to other groups fighting against colonialism and apartheid. Additionally, they underscore the resilience of those in Gaza and Lebanon, advocating for a hopeful outlook on the liberation struggle as an ongoing commitment rather than a fleeting endeavour, encouraging listeners to remain focused on the long-term goal of freedom and justice for Palestine.
00:00:00 Introduction: Oppression and Resistance
00:00:40 Historical Context: The Root of Violence
00:01:20 Palestinian Struggle for Dignity
00:02:01 Israel's Aggression and Apartheid
00:02:42 Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
00:03:21 US Support and Global Complicity
00:04:00 Lessons from Anti-Apartheid Movements
00:04:40 A Vision for Justice and Liberation
00:05:24 Closing Remarks: Measuring Time by Liberation
Quotes of the week
“There must be a reckoning. Those who continued supplying weapons to Israel ought to be put on trial for helping to facilitate it. Those who used their media platforms to justify it should see their reputations in tatters. Without that accountability, even more depraved violence will become normal, even acceptable.”
—Owen Jones; independent journalist
“As the ceasefire takes effect, significantly increased amounts of humanitarian aid will finally be allowed into Gaza. That aid will need to be distributed, a role UNRWA will lead as the ‘backbone’ of the humanitarian operation in Gaza. The UNRWA ban will therefore create a contradiction — just as more aid is coming in, the logistical support for this will be destroyed.”
—Peace Research Institute, Oslo
A few pics from around the country…
On last weekend’s rally and march in Wellington the Falastin Tea Collective brought the pro-Palestine message to several embassies which need to get the message. Here are a few pics from the long march!
German Embassy
German Embassy again
Parliament
Parliament
Polish Embassy
Polish Embassy
US Embassy
Palestine will be at Waitangi again this year!
The Palestine solidarity stall at Waitangi in 2024 – it will be there again in 2025!
There was strong support for Palestine at Waitangi last year – see the picture above – and there will be a Palestine solidarity stall at this year’s Waitangi festival as well. If you are up at Waitangi please come and give your support. We look forward to seeing you!
Keep your ear to the ground
Pass on to us any news you have of government MPs at public events so we can hold them to account. Send messages to Secretary@PSNA.nz
The stickers keep going on…
If you’d like some stickers email your address to Merchandise@PSNA.nz and we will send them to you. (Note: we will have a specific Sodastream sticker available soon)
What to boycott over Summer?
Watch out for the main BDS targets over summer – don’t buy them and spread the word to friends, family and workmates…
1) Sodastream
2) HP products
3) BP and Caltex petrol stations
4) McDonald’s
5) Ahava beauty products
On-line in Aotearoa
https://www.onceit.co.nz/
https://freshbeautyco.co.nz/collections/
https://www.cosmeticsnow.nz/about
https://www.pharmacydirect.co.nz/Ahava (they also have products under the brand 'Dead Sea')
https://www.recreateyourself.co.nz/ (based in Oz)
https://nz.cosmostore.org/catalog/brands/
Stores: Harvey Norman!
An evening with Gabor Mate in Auckland
Dr Gabor Mate is visiting Auckland in Feb. His talk will not focus on Palestine, but he is a strong opponent of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Tickets available at this link.
Merchandise for sale
We are ready to mail to you any of our t-shirts, long ($35) and short ($30) sleeved, hoodies ($45) bumper stickers ($3), Tino/Palestine pins ($3) flags ($10) and other items plus postage.
See more on the PSNA website here.
Email Merchandise@PSNA.nz with your order.
Important stories this week
Editor’s Pick’s
A Hamas official speaks on Gaza ceasefire & the next war with Israel, Basem Naim, here (video)
20,000 Palestinian children orphaned in Gaza here
In the West Bank, Trump is giving Netanyahu a free hand to blow up the region here
Trump cancels sanctions on Israeli settlers in West Bank here
Remarkable exchange between Genocide Joe and Genocide Netanyahu admitting genocide here
Role of Google in Genocide here
Role of Microsoft in Genocide here
Other Stories
Gaza protest: How Starmer and the Met have joined forces to quash all dissent here
Palestinian joy is a direct challenge to those who would rule over us. And it cannot be contained
Mustafa Barghouti on Israel’s “Defeat” in Gaza, Saudi Normalization, and the War on the West Bank here (video)
Anti-Semitism ‘Rise’ obscures more slaughter in Gaza here
NZ Palestine network co-founder Janfrie Wakim praises heroic Gaza calls for more action here
Palestinian Authority’s Jenin Invasion Amid Gaza Ceasefire here (Al Shabaka podcast)
Yara Hawari and Mondoweiss’s Yumna Patel break down the latest developments in Jenin and across the West Bank within the context of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and recent ceasefire. This is the first episode of a three-part collaboration series between Al-Shabaka and Mondoweiss.
Listen here on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Francesca Albanese on 'Chronicling' 16 Months of Genocide here
Stefanik Backs Far-Right Israeli Push for West Bank Control at Confirmation Hearing here
Standing for decency – the sermon the President didn’t want to hear here
Climate crisis – the carbon footprint of the Gaza genocide here
Palestinians return home to Gaza ashes – if we want peace face the truth here
Israel has ramped up occupied West Bank raids to distract from ceasefire says analyst here
Gaza – western media complicit with genocide here
Marwan Barghouti – the world’s most important hostage must be freed here
Gaza ceasefire – RSF calls for open borders for journalists and an end to impunity for Israeli war crimes here
Spectacular failure over Hamas an embarrassment for Netanyahu here
Netanyahu’s war on Hamas backfires as Gaza resistance holds strong here
Delay in Gaza ceasefire as Israel kills 19 to daunt people celebrating here
Four words that bear significance to the happy news of a Gaza ceasefire here
John Minto: the triumph of the human spirit here
Gaza protesters welcome ceasefire but will fight on for justice here
Chris Hedges on the Gaza ceasefire charade here
Trump cancels sanctions on Israeli settlers in West Bank here
How Zionism's obsession with 'total victory' will destroy Israel here
Gaza ceasefire: How Israel's colossal failure could reshape the global order here
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)