PSNA Newsletter No 47 - May 25, 2021
25 May 2021
Newsletter No 47
Kia ora PSNA Supporter
Thank you everyone for your marvellous efforts and actions in the past two weeks as Israel pounded Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, occupied Jerusalem and Palestinian citizens of Israel itself. One of the unexpected outcomes has been a greater degree of unity across all Palestinians in their struggle for self-determination.
With the ceasefire last Friday, we must not let Israel go back to “business as usual” with its policies of racism, apartheid and brutality against Palestinians.
73 years of this abusive, appalling Israeli agenda has been allowed to continue only because Israel has suffered no consequences for its actions.
Our focus is to push the New Zealand government for meaningful accountabilities for Israeli policies.
Two quick things you can do right now!
1) Sign the petition to close the Israeli embassy. The petition is on-line here and is in English and Arabic or use the QR code here.
2) Share the petition on social media – the FB event link is here.
Here is the English wording for the petition
To the NZ House of Representatives: CLOSE THE ISRAELI EMBASSY
We, the undersigned respectfully request:
That in light of:
The most recent disproportionate brutal attack on the Gaza Strip by Israeli armed forces and consequent civilian deaths and injuries.
The expulsions of Palestinians from their homes in the Palestinian Occupied Territories to provide for Jewish-only settlements in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and international humanitarian and human rights law
The apartheid laws and practices which discriminate against Palestinian citizens of Israel
The refusal of Israel to allow the return of Palestinian refugees to their land and homes in Palestine as demanded by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 in 1948.
Israel’s complete ignoring of calls from the international community for Israel to comply with the terms of international law as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2334 cosponsored by New Zealand in 2016.
That the House of Representatives urge the government to immediately close the Israeli embassy in Wellington and sever all diplomatic relations with the State of Israel as New Zealand did in 2004.
Celebrating another marvellous day of nationwide support for Palestine – 22 May 2021
Here are a few photos from some of the 11 rallies and marches around the country on 22/23 May.
Rawene (yes – that tiny place on the Hokianga Harbour full of wonderful people)
The tiny Northland settlement of Rawene held a rally with speakers and solidarity actions
Whangarei
About 25 people gathered outside local MP Kelvin Davis’ office to present a petition for closure of the Israel Embassy. Roger Fowler sang his every popular song “We are all Palestinians”
Auckland
About 2,500 marched down Queen Street to the US Embassy in Customs Street. A high energy event with a wide range of amazing speakers calling out Israeli racism and brutality.
We can all tell Israel, and their supporters here in New Zealand, that the 65 Palestinian Children were Not Numbers!
Also in Auckland later in the day a vigil organised by Dayenu: New Zealand Jews Against the Occupation was held – it included a Palestinian tribute to the 66 children killed by Israel’s heavy bombardment of Gaza.
Hamilton:
Hamilton beats everyone for visibility – occupying a major intersection in Hamilton with banners, placards and flags on every corner and down the road. The photo shows one corner.
New Plymouth
Napier
A small but growing, event on event, crowd gathered to fly the Palestinian Flag
Palmerston North
No photo
Wellington
Wellington Palestine members marched to the Israeli embassy and read out the names of all the children who died in the latest bombardments. They left a pair of children’s shoes to honour each of the children killed in the bombardments.
Christchurch
Over 400 people rallied and marched in Christchurch from under the Bridge of Remembrance. It was a lively energetic march with several youngsters taking over to lead the chanting.
Dunedin
A march of some 250 from the Museum Reserve to the Octagon – and back again! Lots of badges sold and new names collected.
University of Auckland – Students for Justice in Palestine - Launch
More than 80 people attended to hear speakers:
A Palestinian man who had been involved in the Students for Justice in Palestine at Auckland Univesity. He showed us an exampe, of the Newsletter he was involved in creating back in 2011 and encouraged all students to get involved.
A talk by an “International” who went to Palestine to walk with Palestinian kids to keep them safe from attack on their way to school.
The Secretary of PSNA giving an overview of his journey from being a blind supporter of Israel through Ignorance to finding out the truth and moving to back Palestinian Human Rights, PSNA, GCHR, Recognising Palestine as a state and the Petition calling for closing the Israeli embassy.
A Palestinian woman who spoke about the beauty of Jerusalem - Al Quds. She went on to play a video of the approachs to the Dome of the Rock, the Al Aqsa Mosque, the beauty inside and down to the depth under the rock. Later her daughter led us in a chant Her “ Free, Free” - Us “Palestine”.
The evening ended with a shared meal provided by members of the Palestinian Community in New Zealand.
What was particularly moving was the memorial on one side of the hall to the 65 children killed by Israel.
Then the image as if they had lived to attend a University – They would have filled 1/3 of the lecture theatre:
Donations still needed for the Gaza Centre for Human Rights which has been targeted and destroyed by Israel
Since we publicized this appeal in our last newsletter over $6,000 has been donated – we’d love to get over $10,000 to help the center get on its feet again and collect evidence for war crimes prosecutions from the latest Israeli outrages.
Can you make a donation? – account details are below
Here is the background to the appeal from our last newsletter:
The offices of the Gaza Centre for Human Rights have been targeted and destroyed by a missile from an Israeli fighter jet.
New Zealander Julie Webb-Pullman has been working for the Centre for several years as an international expert on gathering evidence of Israeli war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza. (Julie is currently waiting to return to Gaza after being delayed in New Zealand through Covid 19)
GCHR offices destroyed by Israeli missiles
So far the Centre, under Julie’s guidance, has sent over 2,000 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.
Earlier this year the International Criminal Court made the formal announcement that they are opening an investigation into allegations of grave Israeli breaches of International Humanitarian Law. Israel is furious and has tried to stop the investigation.
Now Israel has seized the opportunity to hit back with missiles from an Israeli fighter jet.
The Centre is making an appeal for funds to get back up and running and PSNA is coordinating fundraising here.
People can donate to:
Account name: PALESTINE SOLIDARITY NETWORK
Account number: 38-9015-0849542-02 (Please put GCHR in the reference)
Or click here.
This is a message from Julie describing the photo and the damage.
I would really appreciate it if you could also appeal for funds for Gaza Centre for Human Rights - our offices were directly targeted and destroyed a few days ago. We need to replace printers, photocopiers, furniture etc.
Our electronic backup files are safe, but all of the original documents have been destroyed.
Attached is a picture of the destruction - our offices were on the third floor, the translators' office is the one with the blue wall, my office is at the front. Was.
Like almost every building in Gaza, it is a mixed residential and office tower.
We expect the New Zealand media will report on this and the government will condemn outright this bombing of a human rights organisation.
Solidarity with Palestine by Artists, Cultural Workers and Scholars of Aotearoa New Zealand
Please help circulate this statement of solidarity with Palestine. It is aimed particularly at Artists, Cultural Workers and Scholars.
They can read and sign on to the statement at this link.
This has been organised by Dr Rand T Hazou, Senior Lecturer in Theatre, School of Humanities, Media and Creative Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University
Two petitions and some useful reading
Amongst the thousands of articles and petition online here are four links worth your attention
Petition: Israel-Palestine – This is how it ends
Petition: Sheikh Jarrah
Article: Jewish Americans are at a turning point with Israel
PSNA Chair John Minto on the parliamentary motion to recognise Palestine
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
Or Pay Pal account: admin@palestinesolidaritynz.net
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 PSNA Bay of Islands (Email)
Whangarei PSNA Whangarei (Facebook)
Auckland PSNA 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 PSNA Palmerston North (Email)
New Plymouth PSNA New Plymouth (Email)
Wellington PSNA Wellington (Email)
Nelson Te Tau Ihu (Nelson) Palestine (Facebook)
Christchurch PSNA Christchurch (Facebook)
Dunedin Dunedin for Justice in Palestine (Facebook)
Invercargill PSNA Invercargill (Email)