PSNA Newsletter No 82 - October 25 2022
25 Whiringa-ā-nuku 2022
25 October 2022
Newsletter No 82
Kia ora koutou,
A truly impressive 2min video:
Irish rep. Clare Daly at the European parliament - https://youtu.be/4KAUaRR2GAs
Immigration New Zealand enlists cyber-mercenaries banned from Facebook to covertly collect data
Cobweb Technologies is an Israeli internet surveillance company implicated in abuses of privacy rights, targeting of journalists, activists, opposition politicians and government officials around the world. A real bad egg.
It’s no surprise the company was started by members of the Israeli Defence Force which has been implicated in widespread abuses in surveillance of Palestinians, the most surveilled population in the world.
However, Radio New Zealand revealed earlier this month that the Aotearoa New Zealand Immigration Ministry is using Cobweb Technologies for internet surveillance, despite Cobweb’s history of abusing human rights.
Meta, the owner of Facebook and multiple other social media platforms, kicked Cobweb Technologies and six other surveillance companies off all their platforms last year after a months-long investigation into the activities of what they describe as "cyber mercenaries".
Meta’s report says:
“Given the severity of their violations, we have banned them from our services…We also alerted around 50,000 people who we believe were targeted by these malicious activities worldwide…”
“Our investigation identified customers in Bangladesh, Hong Kong, the United States, New Zealand, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Poland, and other countries. In addition to targeting related to law enforcement activities, we also observed frequent targeting of activists, opposition politicians and government officials in Hong Kong and Mexico”
This government’s use of Cobweb Technologies makes a mockery of the Prime Minister’s leadership of the “Christchurch Call” which is pressuring social media platforms like Facebook to act against those who assist in the abuse of human rights, while itself employing a known human rights abusing company.
Something you can do now with just a few clicks…
Email the letter here to the Hon Michael Wood, Minister of Immigration.
Kia ora Mr Wood,
End all dealings with Cobweb Technologies
We are urging you to immediately end the Immigration Ministry’s contract with Cobweb Technologies – an Israeli internet surveillance company implicated in abuses of privacy rights, targeting of journalists, activists, opposition politicians and government officials around the world.
It’s no surprise the company was started by members of the Israeli Defence Force which has been implicated in widespread abuses in surveillance of Palestinians, the most surveilled population in the world.
Meta, the owner of Facebook and multiple other social media platforms, kicked Cobweb Technologies and six other surveillance companies off all their platforms last year after a months-long investigation into the activities of what they describe as "cyber mercenaries".
This government’s use of Cobweb Technologies makes a mockery of the Prime Minister’s leadership of the “Christchurch Call” which is pressuring social media platforms like Facebook to act against those who assist in the abuse of human rights, while itself employing a known human rights abusing company.
The government’s position hypocritical.
Please immediately cancel all contracts with Cobweb Technologies.
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Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967
Francesca Albanese
This is the first report by Italian international law expert, Francesca Albanese, appointed earlier this year as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. She has taken over the role from Michael Lynk. The report speaks out clearly on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, in the context of the settler-colonial features of the prolonged Israeli occupation. Her full report is in pdf form here.
Br Peter Bray to tour Aotearoa next year – making marvelous videos in the meantime!
Bethlehem University Vice-Chancellor, Taranaki-raised Br Peter Bray FSC, will give public talks about Palestine when he visits Aotearoa New Zealand early next year, but meanwhile, he is making videos on the subject for a Kiwi audience.
The special series of videos is called Greetings from Bethlehem. It is being made for the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC) -Te Huinga o ngā Pīhopa Katorika o Aotearoa.
His first video, Ordinary People in an Extraordinary Place; Palestinians in the Holy Land, can be viewed on YouTube now.
Br Peter says the videos follow the New Zealand bishops publishing a statement on the long-standing Palestine issue in July.
The NZCBC will announce details as soon as they are available of when and where Br Peter will speak during his early-2023 New Zealand visit. Meanwhile, we invite you to watch, enjoy and absorb this first of Br Peter’s special videos from the Holy Land.
“Building a Kiwi community in Israel”
As we have reported regularly through the newsletter, the Aotearoa New Zealand government is donkey deep in support for the racist, apartheid state of Israel. Here is another example through a group called Kea who support “building a kiwi community in Israel”. Reading this article is a reminder of the glossy publications pushed by South Africa’s apartheid regime last century where black South Africans were invisible. Palestinians don’t rate a mention and Kea is happy to keep it that way.
Shamefully, three Aotearoa New Zealand government organisations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and NZ Trade and Enterprise are “partners” with Kea.
Gideon Levy speaks on “The Way Forward”
Saturday 12 November
World-renowned Israeli journalist Gideon Levy will speak on the next MLN (Movement for the Liberation from Nakba) online forum on Saturday 12 November in the evening – put it in your diary now. More details with links will be in the next newsletter.
Renowned Israeli historian Professor Ilan Pappe will participate as a respondent.
Six Palestinian boys killed so far in October alone
Message from Defence for Children Palestine:
Israeli forces have escalated their violence toward Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in recent days: In the month of October alone, Israeli forces have killed six Palestinian boys with live ammunition. From Jerusalem to Hebron to Jenin, Israeli forces are targeting Palestinian children with excessive force and no one is being held accountable.
The boys—Fayez, Adel, Mahdi, Mahmoud, Osama, and Mahmoud—range in age from 12 to 17. The youngest, a seventh-grader named Mahmoud Samoudi, died on October 10 after Israeli forces shot him in the stomach with live ammunition in late September, tearing through his colon, kidneys, and bladder.
By routinely resorting to intentional lethal force in situations not justified under international law, Israeli forces have created an environment where no Palestinian child is safe.
Share these boys' names and faces on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram now and tag your elected officials to call for accountability. World leaders cannot look away as Israeli forces continue to target and kill Palestinian children with impunity.
Donald Trump: “American Jews don’t appreciate me enough”
“U.S. Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel — before it is too late!” he declared on his site Truth Social. “No President has done more for Israel than I have. Somewhat surprisingly, however, our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S.”
A recent tweet from Donald Trump openly conflates Judaism and Zionism. Judaism is the Jewish faith while Zionism is the political ideology followed by the racist Israeli regime with its apartheid policies against Palestinians. Trump is being anti-semitic here but don’t hold your breath waiting for the pro-Israel lobby calling him out. They are too busy spreading their own false smears of anti-semitism against Palestinian solidarity activists.
Investigating Aotearoa New Zealand trade with Israel
We are looking for a keen researcher…
New Zealand has significant trade with Israel – see the tables below – and we want to drill down and get the names of companies involved with this trade. e.g Searching to find the most likely NZ companies which trade with Israel (based on the information below). We want the email address and any other details of the companies so that we can contact them. We will use the information to encourage these companies to end their trade relationships with Israel.
If you can help please email: bronwensummers@gmail.com
Three events organised by the Australian Friends of Palestine Association
1 Edward Said Memorial Lecture
2 Palestine Solidarity Conference in Australia
United Nations - Investigate and dismantle Israeli apartheid
In a previous newsletter we asked supporters to send a note to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister asking the Aotearoa New Zealand government to support a United Nations investigation into Israeli apartheid. If you missed the chance you can find the letter to send here.
Every communication to the government on this counts.
Important stories from the Web
What is happening in the occupied West Bank right now is a full breakdown here
The question of violence here
Restrictions on foreign travel into occupied West Bank take effect despite criticisms here
Australia quietly drops recognition of West Jerusalem as capital of Israel here
UK embassy in Israel: Full letter from Muslim leaders in Jerusalem to King Charles III here
Why Israel fears Fathi Khazem – the latest symbol of Palestinian resistance here
Meta: Let Palestine speak! here
Jerusalem refugee camp under siege as Israel hunts shooter here
British apology sought for atrocities and crimes against Palestine here
Siemens and Chevron: Stop fueling apartheid and climate disaster here
An Asia Pacific statement of faith communities on Israel as an apartheid state here
24 hours of hell as Israeli settler gangs terrorize Palestinian town under Israeli army protection here
Netanyahu used golf metaphor to turn Trump against Palestinians, book says here
Anti-Palestinianism makes the weaponization of anti-semitism possible here
Palestinian factions sign reconciliation agreement in Algeria here
The battle over the Middle East’s ultimate prize – Jerusalem here
Israeli occupation is illegal under international law: UN Commission here
Surging racist Ben Gvir is potential kingmaker in Israeli election here
Interview with Philip Weiss of Mondoweiss website here
Historians reveal Israel’s use of poison against Palestinians here
Malaysia arrests Mossad spy network and frees a Palestinian here
Defend Aotearoa New Zealand’s fragile democracy by tackling disinformation says advocate here
Our Vision for Liberation
This is an outstanding book which documents what liberation looks like from Palestinian viewpoints.
A book review by Christchurch-based Lois Griffiths is here
It is presented by outstanding Palestinian author and activist Ramzy Baroud (who toured Aotearoa New Zealand several years back) and renowned Israeli historian Ilan Pappe. It is a not-to-be-missed publication!
We have purchased 50 copies for PSNA supporters and we are selling these at $35 per copy to cover our costs. To get your copy simply deposit $35 in our bank account here:
Account name: PALESTINE SOLIDARITY NETWORK
Account number: 38-9015-0849542-00
And then email secretary@PSNA.nz with your address and we will get your copy in the mail! Looking forward to hearing from you!
Reminder: Dates for Palestine Solidarity in 2022
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
8/9 October PSNA National Meeting in Christchurch
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)