PSNA Newsletter No 178 - February 5 March 2025
5 Poutū-te-rangi 2025
5 March 2025
Newsletter No 178
PSNA demands the government condemn Israel’s cutting off of all humanitarian aid to Gaza
PSNA is demanding the government condemn Israel’s cutting off of all humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israel announced its latest humanitarian outrage against the Palestinian people of Gaza as it tries to withdraw from the ceasefire agreement it signed with Hamas in January.
“Israel is trying to weasel its way out of the agreement because it doesn’t want to negotiate stage two which requires it to withdraw its troops from Gaza” says PSNA Co National Chair John Minto.
“Israel signed the ceasefire agreement and it must be forced to follow it through.”
“Cutting off humanitarian aid is a blatant war crime and New Zealand must say so without equivocation”
“Our government has been complicit with Israeli war crimes for the past 16 months and has previously refused to condemn Israel’s use of humanitarian aid as a weapon of war”
“It’s time we got off our knees and stood up for international law and United Nations resolutions.”
Pleasing to see the Labour Party has joined this call to urge the government to condemn Israel’s latest war crime.
Something you can do now with just a few clicks…
Copy and paste this email to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mr Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister
C.Luxon@ministers.govt.nz
Mr Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs
W.Peters@ministers.govt.nz
Kia ora Mr Luxon kōrua ko Mr Peters,
On Sunday Israel announced a total humanitarian blockade against the population of the Gaza Strip.
This is a war crime.
Please condemn it immediately and as well as Israel’s massive ethnic cleansing programme on the occupied West Bank.
I look forward to hearing from you both shortly.
(Your name)
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 25 events around the Motu this week.
Activists say “no war profiteers in our city”
Peace activists scaled the New Zealand headquarters of NIOA – weapons suppliers of sniper rifles to the Israeli Defence Forces – in Ōtautahi/Christchurch earlier this week in a protest calling for the company to close.
A warm congratulations to the two activists who occupied the roof of the building and to the team who gave fulsome support outside.
The protest was widely covered in mainstream media here and here and here
SodaStream stickers now available…
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)
Don’t bank on apartheid - campaign update
(A Justice for Palestine campaign)
You took action against KiwiSaver dollars being used to support illegal Israeli settlements on stolen Palestinian land by signing the ASB divest petition.
Despite you and thousands of their customers telling them to divest from Motorola Solutions Inc and Israeli apartheid, ASB has so far refused to divest.
Today we’re asking you to keep the pressure on ASB with one small action. Email them to ask if they’re still banking on apartheid.
When we met with ASB last year, they said they were reviewing the investment, meeting with both Motorola and the UN over December and January.
Despite the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, the violent displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank for the expansion of settlements is escalating. It is more important than ever that we stop financing Israeli apartheid.
We’ve followed up with ASB on their meetings and review of their investment in Motorola - a company that supports these settlements - but we’re being ignored. Despite the ethnic cleansing we are witnessing in the West Bank, ASB appears to be hoping this will just go away.
Write to ASB today and remind them that you don’t want them to be investing KiwiSaver dollar in Israeli apartheid. Click the link here to use our template email. Remember to sign your name at the bottom, and if you create your own unique subject line it will be most effective!
We know ASB care about what their customers and other New Zealanders think about their investments. It’s part of their policy. So we need to make sure they hear loud and clear that we don’t want them to invest in illegal Israeli settlements, and we’re not going to stop until they divest.
Want to get more involved in the campaign? Here are two actions you can take:
1. Come to our webinar: From Aotearoa to Palestine Colonial Expansion is a Crime - a conversation between Wajd El-Matary (Justice for Palestine) and Dr Yara Hawari (Al-Shabaka) - Sunday, 9 March 8pm - Register here.
2. Join our online phone bank for the ASB Divest campaign - join us to call ASB customer who already support the campaign to encourage them to take action to get ASB to meet our divestment demand. Training provided - Thursday, 13 March 7-8:30pm - Register here.
With your help we can continue to build up the pressure until ASB realises it’s not worth banking on apartheid!
Ngā mihi,
Justice for Palestine
“Stop the Ethnic Cleansing”: Watch Oscar Speech of Palestinian & Israeli Directors of “No Other Land”
The pro-Palestinian film “No other land” won the Oscar for best documentary at the recent academy awards. See the director’s “Stop the ethnic cleansing” acceptance speech here
However back in Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank activists say ‘Our film won an Oscar. But here in West Bank’s Masafer Yatta we’re still being erased’ here
Nasty anti-Palestinian attack rejected by Otago Regional Council
The deeply racist, anti-Palestinian Israel Institute has attacked a bus safety campaign being run by the Otago Regional Council because a teenager wearing a keffiyah and a Palestine necklace was included in a picture of teenagers as part of the advertising of the campaign.
The regional council paused the campaign to protect the Palestinian teen from attack but has reinstated the campaign in full and rejected the Israel Institute’s racist attack.
Here is the facebook post by Councillor Elliot Weir. PSNA is joining others in protesting this racist attack to the Human Rights Commission.
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
Keep spreading the message about the Genocide Hotline!
Remember possible action for local groups
For groups affiliated to PSNA we suggest the following actions could be taken at any time in support of this campaign
Asking your local backpacker accommodation to display the poster and draw it to the attention of any Israeli soldiers here on “rest and recreation” from the genocide.
Pasting the hotline poster (use the version in this newsletter which includes a contact email) around the vicinity of backpacker venues in your local area. This is already happening in some areas.
Hand out flyers to people in the vicinity of your local backpackers
Contact us on the hotline if you come across Israeli soldiers
Webinar with Mouin Rabbani
The Doctor’s Wife - New Zealand international film festival film
Restoring Palestine to Its Rightful Owners
Important stories from last week
Editor’s picks
Israel blocks aid to Gaza and escalates violence as first phase of ceasefire expires here
We are staying’: Israeli war chief vows indefinite occupation of Lebanon, Syria here
I am seeking a discharge from the U.S. military over the Gaza genocide. I was inspired by Aaron Bushnell here
The Gazafication of the West Bank: ‘Is This Really Happening Again?' here
“Tulkarm and Jenin will look like Jabalia and Shuja'iyya. Nablus and Ramallah will resemble Rafah and Khan Younis. They will also be turned into uninhabitable ruins, and their residents will be forced to migrate and seek a new life in other countries.”
—Bezalel Smotrich; Israeli Finance Minister & Right Wing Settler
NZ arms company building linked to Gaza genocide claim peace activists here
Other stories
Depressing the Vote: Genocide and 2024 US Presidential Race | Al-Shabaka here
The monsters aren't just in history books. They live among us. They're everywhere here
Trump sends weapons to Netanyahu while talking tough to Zelenskyy here
NZ must protest Israel’s latest war crime cutting aid to Gaza says PSNA here
Israel’s genocide is expanding into the West Bank but western media ignores it here
Palestine asks ICJ for advisory opinion on illegal occupier Israel’s obligations here
Arab leaders must embrace multipolarity to counter Trump’s Gaza plan here
In the ‘NYTimes,’ Israeli captives are ‘hostages.’ But Palestinians are ‘prisoners.’ The biased coverage continues here
Time to drop the rhetoric on Palestine here
More details of the win are here and the outrage sparked in Israel is here.
The Day After “Phase 1“: What Comes Next for Gaza, Hamas, Israel, and the Future of Palestinian Liberation? here
Living in the Open: Palestinians in Gaza Still Face Israeli Attacks and Impossible Conditions as They Return Home here
Palestinians forced to flee US-armed Israeli military in West Bank here
The Lebanese Villages Recently Destroyed by Israel here
Israeli Prisoner Acknowledges Palestinian Ownership of Land After Release here
Germany's Obsession With Defending Israel and Criminalizing Speech Aided AfD's Rise here
Israel says 40,000 displaced Palestinians in northern West Bank will not be allowed to return here
If Arabs want Trump to ditch his Gaza plan, they must make him an offer he can't refuse here
J’accuse the Jew who accuses his fellow Jews of being anti-semites here
Critics condemn BBC for pulling Gaza warzone youth survival documentary here
Barred European Union politician brands Israel as a rogue state here
Hamas handover spectacles are a demonstration to the world of keeping captives safe says analyst here
Fiji’s diplomatic move to Jerusalem sparks controversy with Palestine here
Palestine and Gaza’s Hamas resistance condemn Fiji over embassy plan here
Israel pushes new atrocity narrative just as ceasefire deadline approaches here
Open letter – No Mr Trump, we will not be happy and safe elsewhere here
Eugene Doyle on human sacrifice – remembering Aaron Bushnell here
POTUS posts horrifying video of his Gaza fantasy here
McCarthyism reborn: Australian universities capitulate to Israel lobby, suppress criticism of Israel here
Read the ABC article about the definition and the decision to implement it immediately here
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.
Nationwide Events to Sunday 9 March
North Island
Hokianga
No event this weekend
Kerikeri - Rally
First Saturday of the Month
Whangarei
No event this weekend
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 @ TVNZ
Wednesday 5 March
12:00 mid-day
TVNZ - 100 Victoria Street West, Auckland Central
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
Every Saturday
This week
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Te Whitinga pedestrian bridge in Mount Albert
Join the team – text John on 021 899 659
Auckland – Gathering for Palestine
Saturday 8 March
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)
First Saturday of the month.
Tauranga – Flag Waving
No Flag waving this weekend. Moved to every 2 weeks.
But
Tauranga Moana - Check your emails Friday night (7th March) for a possible snap action
Hamilton – Flag Waving for Palestine
Saturday 1 March
1:00 pm
Flynn Park, Cnr Wairere Drive & Naylor, Hamilton
Hamilton
No rally this weekend?
Raglan
No Event 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 McClay’s Office - Cnr Amohau and Ranolf St lights, Rotorua
Napier - Rally for Palestine
Saturday 8 March
11:30 am
Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Hastings – Rally for Palestine
Sunday 9 March
1:00 pm
Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
Palmerston North - Rally
No Rally this weekend.
New Plymouth – Flags on the bridge
Friday 7 March
4:30 pm
Paynters Ave Bridge, New Plymouth
New Plymouth
Saturday – March 8
10.30 am
Marching In The Multiethnic Extravaganza - Clocktower Devon St
and
Stall at the Racecourse New Plymouth
from 11.30 am
https://www.facebook.com/events/857414482884704/
Whanganui - Rally for Palestine
Saturday 8 March
11:00 am
Riverside Market, Whanganui
Martinborough – Vigil for Palestine
First Wednesday of the month
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
7:15 – 8:15 am
Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
Wellington – Rally
(hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
Moving to Third Saturday of the month. Next Rally Saturday 15 March
Check out https://www.instagram.com/falastin_tea_collective for details
South Island
Nelson – Flag Waving
Saturday 8 March
10.30 am
Flag waving Rocks Rd, Tahuana Beach end
Blenheim - Rally for Palestine
Saturday 8 March
11:00 am
Blenheim Railway Station
Picton – Rally for Palestine
Every Saturday
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Picton Foreshore
Christchurch – Flags for Palestine
Friday 6 March
4:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Christchurch – Rally for Palestine
Saturday 8 March
1:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Dunedin – Rally
Moved to once a month
No Rally this weekend
Invercargill - Rally for Palestine
No rally this weekend
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)