Nationwide rallies this weekend will be calling for the government to suspend entry to New Zealand from soldiers in the Israeli Defence Forces.
“New Zealand should not be providing rest and recreation for Israeli soldiers fresh from the genocide in Gaza”, says PSNA National Chair John Minto. “We wouldn’t allow Russian soldiers to come here for rest and recreation from the invasion of Ukraine so why would we accept soldiers from the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel?”
As well as the working holiday visa, since 2019 Israelis can enter New Zealand for three months without needing a visa at all. This visa-waiver is used by Israeli soldiers for “rest and recreation” from the genocide in Gaza.
Israeli Defence Forces actions have resulted in at least 47,000 Palestinians killed – 70% of whom are women and children.
The International Court of Justice has declared Israeli actions a “plausible genocide” Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have used the terms genocide and extermination which the latest report from United Nations Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, is entitled “Genocide as colonial erasure”.
Meanwhile the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
All these red flags for genocide have been visible for months but the government is still giving the green light to those involved in war crimes to enter New Zealand.
PSNA has written to the government again in December asking for the suspension of travel to New Zealand for all Israeli soldiers and reservists.
New Zealand has signed the Genocide convention which requires us to prevent and punish the crime of genocide. The government is complicit with its silence.
It’s long past the time for the government to step up.
Nā,
John Minto
National Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
Nationwide rallies/marches/MP protests/vigils this week
These are on the PSNA Facebook events page here with the basic details listed below.
North IslandOpononi – Shared Palestinian themed lunchSaturday 25 January1:00 pmOutside Opononi four square
Kerikeri – RallyFirst Saturday of the month
Whangarei – RallyNo Rally this week
Waiheke – Market Stall – hosted by Stand With Palestine Waiheke!Every Saturday8:00 am – 1:00 pmOstend Market, Waiheke Island
Auckland – Stand for PalestineMonday – Friday3:00 – 4:00 pm at the US Consulate – 23 Customs Street East4:00 – 5:00 pm at Te Komititanga Britomart Square
Auckland Picket – Joining Marika at Stand for Palestine (see above)Wednesday 15 January3:00 – 4:00 pm at the US Consulate – 23 Customs Street East4:00 – 5:00 pm at Te Komititanga Britomart Square
Auckland – Banners around Tamaki MakaurauEvery SaturdayThis week10:00 am – 1:00 pmOrams Road overbridge in Manurewa. Near Pedestal Lane Park.Text John on 021 899 659 for more details
Auckland – Rally PauseThe full rally is Paused so we can reinvigorate ourselves.A smaller event will take place.Saturday 25 January2:00 pmTe Komititanga – Britomart Square, Tamaki Makaurau
Auckland – Banner Making sessionSunday 26 January – 10:00 – 9:00 pmMonday 27 January – 1:00 pm – 9:00 pmCorban Estate Art Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson
Thames – Vigil to Stop the war on Children(Hosted by The Basket – Social and Environmental Justice – Hauraki)First Saturday of the month
Tauranga – Picnic in the ParkFriday 24 January6:00 pmGourmet Night Market, Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui
Tauranga – Flags for PalestineSunday 26 January11:00 amPapamoa shopping center, Domain & Gravatt Rd, Papamoa
Hamilton – Community GatheringFriday 24 January6:00 pmRiverbank, Memorial Park, Memorial Drive
Hamilton – Flag Waving for PalestineSaturday 25 JanuaryNo Flags – This is a Rest and re-energise weekend
Hamilton – RallySaturday 25 JanuaryNo Rally – This is a Rest and re-energise weekend
RaglanSunday 25 JanuaryNothing this week
Cambridge – Rally for PalestineEvery Saturday11:00 amCambridge Town Hall
Rotorua – Rally for PalestineEvery Thursday4:30 pmNational MP Todd McClays Office – Cnr Amohau and Ranolf St lights, Rotorua
Gisborne – Farmers Market – Vigil to Stop the war on ChildrenEvery Saturday9:30 – 11:30 amGisborne Farmers Market
Napier – Rally for PalestineSaturday 25 January11:30 amMarine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Hastings – Rally for PalestineSunday 26 January1:00 pmHastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
Palmerston North – RallyEvery Sunday2:00 pmThe Square, Palmerston North
New Plymouth – Flags at the CouncilEvery Friday4:00 – 5:30 pmNew Plymouth District Council, 84 Liardet Street
New Plymouth – Flags for PalestineSaturday 25 January1:00 PMThe Landing, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth
Whanganui – Rally for PalestineSaturday 25 January11:00 amRiverside Market, Whanganui
Carterton – Gathering for GazaEvery Tuesday12:00 middayMemorial Square.
Martinborough – Vigil for PalestineEvery Wednesday11:00 amThe square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough
Masterton – Gathering for GazaEvery Sunday9:30 amTown Hall Lawn, Masterton
Featherston – Gathering for GazaEvery Saturday11:00 amThe Squircle (opposite the op shop).
Wellington – Flags on the Bridge(hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)Every Friday7:45 – 8:45 amHill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
Wellington – Vigil for Palestine(hosted by Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine)Every Friday6:00 pmIn front of Wellington Hospital, 49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington
Wellington – Rally(hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)Saturday 25 January1:00 pmCheck out https://www.instagram.com/falastin_tea_collective for details
South IslandNelson – Rally for PalestineSaturday 25 January10:30 am1903 Square, Upper Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Blenheim – Rally for PalestineSaturday 25 January11:00 amBlenheim Railway Station
Christchurch – Flags for PalestineFriday 24 January4:00 pmBridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Christchurch – Rally for PalestineSaturday 25 January1:00 pmBridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
TimaruNo Rally this weekend
Dunedin – RallySaturday 25 JanuaryNo Rally this weekend
QueenstownNo rally this weekend
Invercargill – Rally for PalestineSunday 26 January1:00 pmWachner place Invercargill
