PSNA Newsletter No 84 - November 22 2022
22 Whiringa-ā-rangi 2022
22 November 2022
Newsletter No 84
Kia ora koutou,
The biggest sporting event in human history is taking place in Qatar – it started two days ago and ends on 18 December.
Details of these activities is here
Throughout the men's World Cup, let's keep the attention on Palestinian rights and call out the complicity of sporting bodies and companies like FIFA and PUMA in Israeli apartheid.
Make sure the Palestinian flag is flying high. Hang it alongside the flags of teams you support and share it on social media.
Remind fans to #BoycottPUMA over its sponsorship of the Israel Football Association, which governs over and advocates to maintain teams in illegal Israeli settlements on stolen Palestinian land.
United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people – 29 November
A reminder of some events around the country to mark this day.
For people in Auckland the Palestine Youth Association in Auckland are holding an event Saturday 3 December to mark the day.
Facebook event here
In Christchurch, Palestine solidarity supporters will gather at the Bridge of Remembrance at 12 noon on Saturday 26th November for a rally and distribution of leaflets.
Tell FIDE (International Chess Federation): Relocate World Team Championship from apartheid Israel
Gambit. It's the term for a chess opening in which a player sacrifices a piece.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is planning to sacrifice Palestinian human rights by holding its 2022 World Team Championship in Israeli-occupied Palestinian East Jerusalem.
As Palestinians struggle against the violence of Israel’s gradual ethnic cleansing in occupied East Jerusalem and across all of historic Palestine, FIDE plans to hold a chess tournament in an illegal Israeli settlement on stolen Palestinian land, in defiance of numerous UN resolutions. Urge FIDE to #MakeTheRightMove!
Br Peter Bray’s second video is now available as he prepares for his New Zealand tour
As we reported in an earlier email, 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.
The first video is titled Ordinary People in an Extraordinary Place; Palestinians in the Holy Land, and can be viewed here.
The second video, ready today, is titled The Challenges of Ordinary People in Palestine and can be viewed here.
We will have more details of his speaking tour in future newsletters. In the meantime his tour is planned for 24 January to 8 February. Here is the most up-to-date planning:
Br Peter’s hopes to start his speaking tour about 24 January, likely starting in Hawkes Bay, followed by Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Auckland and Whangarei, ending about 8 February. The NZCBC will make his firm itinerary available when it is settled.
Labour Party passes resolution to recognise Palestine
The Labour Party’s National Conference earlier this month passed this resolution to recognize Palestine as a state.
The New Zealand Labour Party will:
Support the recognition and right of Israel and Palestine to exist as two states within secure and recognised borders
Give recognition by New Zealand to Palestine as a state
Oppose the annexation of the West Bank by the Israeli Government
Support the view that the future of Jerusalem needs to be decided by the parties to the Middle East conflict as part of a negotiated peace settlement
Support the view that the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only come from open dialogue and discussion between the parties, not from a policy of exclusion
It is a step forward for Labour but it falls well short of understanding the current situation in Palestine where Israel has established a settler-colonial, apartheid state which discriminates against Palestinians and which the Israeli regime (as opposed to a democratic government) enforces with a brutal military occupation. Almost 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli occupation forces in Palestine since the beginning of 2022 – dozens of them children.
Labour’s call for “open dialogue and discussion between the parties” is NOT the way forward. The power imbalance between Israel and the US on one side of the negotiating table and Palestine on the other will NEVER produce peace. Instead it will condemn Palestinians to another “Oslo II” type settlement which will not bring justice for Palestinians and therefore can never bring peace.
Instead of negotiations the way forward is for the international community to insist on a timeline for Israel to implement international law and United Nations resolutions. Israel is fiercely resistant to doing this, as was white South Africa in defending its apartheid system, so, for those of us outside Palestine, international pressure through BDS (Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions) is the most important way forward to a just solution.
Fascism raises its ugly head in Israel
We don’t normally reprint articles from news sites but this is a particularly important story from Israel’s Haaretz newspaper and is unfortunately behind a paywall online. Hence we are reproducing it here.
It gives a clearer picture of just how appallingly racist Israeli society has become, reflected in the recent election of not just racist bigots as reported in our last newsletter but people who are weaponizing racist extremism against Palestinians and human rights organisations. These Israeli leaders – Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Benjamin Netanyahu can only be described as fascists.
Israel Must Deal With Human Rights Orgs as an Existential Threat, Netanyahu Ally Says
‘If we knew how to identify them in the early stages we would handle them in a much more effective way,' says far-right lawmaker Bezalel Smotrich, who is negotiating to become either defense or finance minister, at a conference in Israel's parliament
Religious Zionism head Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday that human rights organizations are an existential threat to Israel and the incoming government must deal with them by "seizing their funds" and acting against them with legal and security measures.
Smotrich, who has demanded either the defense or finance portfolios as part of coalition negotiations, spoke during a conference hosted by the right-wing activist Ad Kan organization, titled "Human Rights Organizations Operated by Hamas" at the Knesset.
While the conference was originally meant to focus on international organizations, it also mentioned Israeli ones, such as the New Israel Fund, Breaking the Silence and Peace Now.
According to Israel's NGO monitor Guidestar, 36.8 percent of Ad Kan's budget in 2021 came from sources outside Israel, adding up to 911,407 shekels (approximately $263,000).
"There is a very late identification process… if we knew how to identify them in the early stages we would handle them in a much more effective way," Smotrich said, referring to the human rights organizations.
According to Smotrich, "It started small, and today we understand the magnitude of the threat, just like the nationalist extremism of the Arabs of the State of Israel, who also started small-but the threat has evolved. At first, you think it’s a mosquito, and then you understand it's a swarm.
He added that "It is possible and necessary to turn the wheel in the face of the encouragement of terrorism, besmirching and delegitimizing, it is time for us to respond."
Noa Sattath, the executive director of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, responded to Smotrich's speech saying he is "identifying human rights organizations as resolute opponents to the measures he is planning to sabotage democracy, the rule of law and human rights. He is right. We are threatening his distorted vision, and we will stand up to him to defend human rights. We are ready, and behind us is the entire democratic public in Israel."
Amichai Chikli of the Likud said at the conference that "under the guise of human rights organizations and humanitarian activity hides a radical antisemitic and anti-Zionist ideology, whose purpose is to undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel and spill the blood of its soldiers and citizens."
He also criticized the European Union saying they "are the arrowhead involved in delegitimization."
Labor party head Merav Michaeli responded to Smotrich's speech saying "This is a clear attempt to eliminate the democratic side of the State of Israel and subordinate it to the power that is now called 'Jewish.' It is an unbridled use of power by those who are now strong."
Ad Kan is a right-wing activist organization that infiltrates left-wing organizations that it perceives as anti-Israel.
Why did New Zealand Abstain on an important UN resolution on Palestine we normally vote in favour of?
Many supporters were dismayed to see Aotearoa New Zealand abstain on a UN resolution calling for Israel’s long-term occupation of Palestine to be referred to the International Court of Justice for a legal opinion. We have been informed the reason was that this new section of the resolution was added without enough lead in time for New Zealand, and many other countries, to fully assess its implications and therefore the decision to abstain was made. We have been assured it does not represent any backward move by our government. Here is the tweet Nanaia Mahuta put out in response to concerns from many supporters.
Meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Earlier this month a joint PSNA (Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa) and PACC (Palestinians in Aotearoa Co-ordinating Committee) delegation met with Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
It was a useful, positive meeting which discussed Aotearoa New Zealand’s policies towards Palestine.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta meets with Randa Abbasi and Maher Nazal from the PACC (Palestinians in Aotearoa Co-ordinating Committee)
Edward Said Memorial Lecture 2022 - Dr Yara Hawari
In case you missed it, or would like to see it again, here is the link to the recording of the marvellous lecture delivered by Dr Yara Hawari. It’s well worth your time!
Palestine in Aotearoa New Zealand
Spotted near the summit of the Crown Range road in Central Otago
Palestine Solidarity Conference in Australia
Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) invites you to join our 2023 Solidarity Conference!
For three days, we will be holding various workshops centred on the following:
* Palestinian narratives, demands and non-negotiables
* Building skillsets to better organise in AUS and NZ, and
* Planning for an International Day of Action for the 75th Nakba
Pricing:
Online: $20 AUD
In-person: $50 - 150 AUD
Register today to get updates on workshops that will be made available!
APAN Palestine Solidarity Conference, 2023 - building collective resistance
Cost AUS $50 to $150. Register here.
Important stories from the Web
197th Palestinian to be killed by Israeli forces this year here
Rise of far-right political power in Israel may impact relations with US on defense here
A proposal for a unified Palestinian foreign policy here
The American Jewish war over Zionism can begin here
United Nations Third Committee considers human rights for Palestinians – video session here
World Cup is a golden opportunity for Palestine here
Gloom in Gaza over death of 21 people in fire here
A history that could not be more timely here
Obstruction of the Abu Akleh investigation should end the special relationship here
Palestinian families demand the Biden administration cancel Jerusalem embassy here
UN Third Committee approves resolution affirming right of Palestinians to self-determination here
Organizing Under and Against Apartheid: The New Unions in Palestine here
Israeli drone sales are fuelling military occupations around the world here
The price of leaving Gaza here
Palestinian girl killed by Israeli soldiers a day before turning 16 here
The Communist Party is the only force capable of challenging ultra-nationalism in Israeli society here
Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition could upend Israeli democracy here
Wild boars in Palestine are being weaponized by Israeli colonialism here
How it feels to visit an apartheid state here
Why is Jerusalem always on edge? Excellent three-minute video here
Palestinian teen killed after stabbing operation that left three Israeli settlers dead here
From World Beyond War 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)