Latest news with #PalestineSolidarityNetworkAotearoa
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Government's Jewish Muslim ‘Harmony Initiative' Helps Israeli Campaign To Redefine Palestine Conflict
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says a just-signed government-produced 'Harmony Initiative' will help in Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu's recently announced 'Eighth War Front'. This is an Israeli government propaganda campaign to present Israel's brutal assault on Palestinians as a response to global antisemitism. Netanyahu has likened Israel's worldwide 'information war' to its physical attacks on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, neighbouring Arab countries, and Iran. The Israeli aim is to silence its overseas critics. Some Jewish and Muslim groups have signed onto the 'Harmony Initiative' which describes its purpose as to foster 'positive relationships' and set up a Muslim-Jewish Council. The government says it wants to avoid what it calls 'domestic impacts resulting from overseas conflicts'. But PSNA CO-Chair Maher Nazzal says that is code for the government trying to defuse protest against Israel's genocide in Gaza. 'You can't see any references in this 'Harmony Initiative' to supporting the implementation of international humanitarian law or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for example.' 'Instead, we get the Muslim-Jewish Council having an obligation to 'publicly challenge expressions of hate'.' 'There will be some people sitting on that Council who believe any expressed support of Palestinian rights is hate speech. One of the 'Harmony Initiative' signatories is the Holocaust Foundation. The Holocaust Foundation is funded by the Israeli embassy.' 'If you put various government moves together, there is a clear agenda to stifle criticism of Israel.' 'Amendments to the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 are under secret consultation, but with a clear signal that the recent draconian suppression of free speech on Palestine we have just seen in the UK is very much a model on the list for us too.' 'The Human Rights Commissioner, a self-confessed Israel supporter, wants to appoint an Antisemitism Envoy because they have one in Australia. But the antisemitism test they are using there is a list of examples of criticising Israel.' Nazzal says he can understand why some community groups in Aotearoa New Zealand have signed on to the 'Harmony Initiative'. 'The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand for instance, quite rightly believe that if they are not on this 'Muslim-Jewish Council' then the government would simply create and appoint another Muslim body to purportedly represent Muslims. That would leave FIANZ with no input.'
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Peters Fails Again – Time For Real Action On Occupied Gaza
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says New Zealand's signature on a joint statement of 25 countries on Gaza is meaningless without concrete action. PSNA Co-Chair John Minto says Peters' statements in the media this morning, fall well short of the condemnation in the joint statement, and are what Minto calls the usual ducking the issue of Israeli culpability. 'Peters still can't bring himself to criticise Israel in Gaza – even after 21 months of mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians. He condemns a suffering situation, but carefully avoids stating who it causing it.' Minto says there is an extensive list of actions the government must take if it's serious. 'I'm sure the Israeli ambassador in Wellington is happily reporting to his ministry in Tel Aviv that the New Zealand government is still tolerating mass starvation, bombing civilians and ethnic cleansing.' Minto says. 'If the New Zealand government was serious, it would implement this list': 1. Back the call from UN Special Rapporteur for the OPT, Francesca Albanese for military protection for aid convoys to enter Gaza. 2. Close the Israeli embassy in Wellington 3. End trade and investment ties with Israel 4. Deny entry visas for all Israeli Defence Forces personnel 5. Introduce legislation to sanction Israel the same as the Russia Sanctions Act 6. Cease approval for Rakon to export crystal oscillators which may be used by the Israeli military for targeting Gaza and other Israeli assault zones 7. Ban all Rocket Lab launches of satellites used for Israeli reconnaissance over Gaza 8. Suspend all bilateral agreements with Israel; movie co-production, overflight agreement and technological cooperation 9. Stop remittances going to Israel, such as funds for the racist Jewish National Fund 10. Cut scientific, academic, sport and cultural ties with the State of Israel 11. Sell all New Zealand's Superfund investments in Israeli companies 12. Vote to suspend Israeli membership of the United Nations for not withdrawing from all the Occupied Palestinian Territory 13. Cease approving Israeli munitions transporter ZIM Shipping using our ports 14. Join the case against Israeli genocide in the International Court of Justice 15. Sign onto the Hague Group of countries working to ensure Israel complies with International Law
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Government Told NZ Should Not Follow Australia's Lead To Criminalise Support For Palestine
14 July 2025 Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is urging the New Zealand government NOT to follow Australia's example with measures which would effectively criminalise the Palestine solidarity movement. The Australian government has announced plans to implement recommendations from its anti-semitism envoy which PSNA says creates a 'hierarchy of racism' with anti-semitism at the top, while Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism hardly feature. However we know at least some of the appalling anti-semitic attacks in Sydney have been bogus. PSNA Co-chair John Minto says PSNA has no tolerance for anti-semitism in Aotearoa New Zealand, or anywhere else. 'But equally there should be no place for any other kind of racism, such as Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism. Our government must speak out against all forms of discrimination and support all communities when racism rears its ugly head. Let's not forget the murderous attacks on the Christchurch mosques.' Minto says the Australian measures will inevitably be used to criminalise the Palestinian solidarity movement across Australia. 'We see it happening in the US, to attack and demonise support for Palestinian human rights by the Trump administration. We see it orchestrated in the UK to shut down any speech which Prime Minister Starmer and the Israeli government don't like.' PSNA agrees with the Jewish Council of Australia who have warned the Australian government adopting these measures could result in 'undermining Australia's democratic freedoms, inflaming community divisions, and entrenching selective approaches to racism that serve political agendas' Minto says the free speech restrictions in the US, UK and Australia have nothing to do with what people usually understand as anti-semitism. 'The drive comes from the Israeli government. They see making anti-semitism charges as the most effective means of preventing anyone publicly pointing to the genocide its armed forces are perpetrating in Gaza.' 'The definition of anti-semitism, usually inserted into codes of ethics or legislation, is from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The IHRA definition includes eleven examples. Seven of the examples are about criticising Israel.' 'It's quite clear the Israeli campaign is to distract the community from Israel's horrendous war crimes, such as the round-the-clock mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, and deflect calls for sanctions against Israel.' 'Already we can see in both the UK and US, that people have been arrested for saying things about Israel which would not have been declared illegal if they'd said it about other countries, including their own.' Minto says there are already worrying signs that the New Zealand government and New Zealand media and police are falling into the trap. 'Just over the past few weeks, there has been an unusually wide-ranging mainstream media focus on anti-semitism; At least one opinion piece in the Stuff newspapers from NZ Jewish Council spokesperson Ben Kepes on anti-semitism here A major interview in Stuff on anti-semitism with NZJC spokesperson Ben Kepes A New Zealand Herald opinion piece from NZJC spokesperson Juliet Moses A New Zealand Herald podcast featuring Holocaust Foundation spokesperson Deborah Hart. The Holocaust Foundation is partly funded by the Israeli Embassy. An enthusiastic 1News item on the latest appeal to the government to adopt similar measures here to those taken in Australia (TVNZ One News 13 July 2025) Stories highlighting anti-semitic graffiti in Wellington – numerous reports along these lines Stuff newspapers highlighting the case of an assault on a visiting Israeli after an altercation in Christchurch with the accused held overnight, denied bail and the police claiming it was a 'hate crime' However, our politicians and media have been silent about; An attack which knocked a young Palestinian woman to the ground when she was using a microphone to speak during an Auckland march An attack where a Palestine supporter was kicked and knocked to the pavement outside the Israeli embassy in Wellington. The accused was wearing an Israeli flag. He was not held in custody and the Post newspaper has reported neither the arrest nor the resulting charge (this case is due in court 15 July) An attack on a Palestine solidarity marshal in Christchurch who was punched in the face, in front of police, but no action taken. An attack in Christchurch when a Destiny Church member kicked a solidarity marshal in the chest (no action taken by police) Anti-Palestinian racist attacks on the home of a Palestine solidarity activist in New Plymouth. One of our supporters has had their front fence spraypainted twice with pro-Israel graffiti and their car tyres slashed twice (4 tyres in total) and had vile defamatory material circulated in their neighbourhood. (The police say they cannot help) The frequent condemnation of anti-semitism by the previous Chief Human Rights Commissioner, but his refusal to condemn the deep-seated anti-Palestinian racism of the New Zealand Jewish Council and Israel Institute of New Zealand. The refusal of the Human Rights Commission to publicly correct false statements it published in the Post newspaper which claimed anti-semitism was increasing, when in fact the evidence it was using was that the rate of incidents had declined. Minto says in each of the cases above there would have been far more attention from politicians, the police and the media had the victims been Israeli supporters. 'Meanwhile, both our government and the New Zealand Jewish Council have refused to condemn Israel's blatant war crimes. There is silence on the mass killing, mass starvation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. The Jewish Council and our government stand together and refuse to hold Israel's racist apartheid regime to account in just about any way.' 'This refusal to condemn what genocide scholars, including several Israeli genocide academics, have labelled as a 'text-book case of genocide', brings shame on both the New Zealand Jewish Council and the New Zealand government.' 'Adding to the clear perception of appalling bias on the part of our government, both the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, have met with New Zealand Jewish Council spokespeople over the war in Gaza.' 'But both have refused to meet with representatives of Palestinian New Zealanders, or the huge number of Jewish supporters of the Palestine solidarity movement.' 'New Zealand must stand up and be counted against genocide wherever it appears and no matter who the victims are.'
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
PSNA Refers Aotearoa New Zealand Government Ministers And Business Leaders The International Criminal Court
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa has just filed a referral to the International Criminal Court in the Hague. It accuses four New Zealand government ministers and two business leaders of criminal complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide by assisting Israel's mass killing and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza. Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Co-Chairs, John Minto and Maher Nazzal say the referral carefully outlines a case that these six individuals should be investigated by the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICC for the contributions they have knowingly made to Israel's crimes in Gaza. 'The 103-page referral document was prepared by a legal team which has been working on the case for many months. It is legally robust and will provide the Prosecutor of the ICC more than sufficient documentation to begin their investigation.' 'This is a grave step which we have not taken lightly' Minto and Nazzal says. 'But the government's ongoing and meaningful support for Israel, despite its horrendous war crimes, is not only egregious to most New Zealanders, but is also criminal conduct under international law.' Minto and Nazzal say the referral follows a 'letter of demand' issued to the government in 2024 outlining the actions that a reasonable government would take to prevent and punish the crime of genocide, and the actions the government should take to avoid criminal complicity with Israel. 'For 20 months these political and business leaders have supported Israel to commit crimes which have shocked the human conscience.' 'This has brought shame on the whole country.' 'Even today, Palestinians – mostly women and children, are being killed, and the key individuals who have helped to make this nightmare possible must themselves be held to account.' 'We believe this is the first time New Zealand political and business leaders have been referred to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. We hope it is the last.' *Two points of explanation: Genocide: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, top international genocide scholars and the United Nations Special Committee to investigate Israel's practices have all condemned Israel's actions as genocide. Individual criminal responsibility: Under the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court these six people are individually criminally responsible for their actions and inactions irrespective of their positions as elected politicians or appointed business leaders.
Otago Daily Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Important voices ‘get heard about this'
An advocate for Palestinian freedom is disappointed Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark rejected her group's request to speak at a recent council meeting. On Tuesday, councillors voted against boycotting 112 companies connected to illegal Israeli settlements within Palestinian territory — a decision sealed by the mayor's casting vote following a 6-6 split. The list of companies was created by the United Nations and brought to the council's attention by Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) at an earlier meeting. PSNA Invercargill member Seren Palliser-O'Donohoe said an opportunity for the group to reinforce the motion on Tuesday was refused by the mayor. Ms Palliser-O'Donohoe said she then requested to present to the council on a personal level with hopes of sharing a wider context of the occupation, but was also rejected. "It's so important that the voices of ... affected communities that live in New Zealand get heard about this," Ms Palliser-O'Donohoe said. "That was refused, unfortunately." Ms Palliser-O'Donohoe said follow-up presentations had been allowed at other councils, and the group planned to complain to the chief executive and mayor. In response to questions, Mr Clark said he believed he only refused individual members the right to speak, but he would have declined the group too had he been asked. Mr Clark said members had emailed him and others to promote their views between meetings. "They spoke at the previous council meeting and I committed to a staff report that was tabled at yesterday's meeting." He said the council supported the United Nations declaration and the government's support of it but decided not to include it in the procurement policy. There was no evidence the council had ever dealt with any of the listed companies, Mr Clark said. Councillors discussed the matter for 30 minutes at Tuesday's meeting, Mr Clark making it clear he did not support the boycott. Deputy mayor Tom Campbell agreed, questioning where the council would stop in relation to other countries. Cr Lesley Soper took a different view, urging the companies be barred on ethical and legal grounds. "We are handed on a plate the list of companies that we can say are excluded suppliers because they're involved in human rights violations," she said. Cr Soper was supported by Cr Darren Ludlow, who gave the example of councils declaring themselves nuclear-free in days gone by. Cr Alex Crackett said the council was involved in international relations whether it accepted it or not, while Cr Steve Broad said he was guided by the thought of his nieces and nephews one day asking how he had acted. The staff recommendation was to alter guidelines for procurement, which would have still allowed the council to engage with the listed companies under exceptional circumstances. The United Nations resolution was supported by the government when it was adopted in 2016, and has been included in procurement guidelines at the Christchurch City Council, Nelson City Council and Environment Canterbury. Companies on the United Nations list encompass a variety of sectors, and include Airbnb, Expedia, TripAdvisor, and Motorola. — Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy Reporter — LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
