PSNA is co-ordinating rallies and marches around the country tomorrow demanding the government call for a ceasefire in the Gaza–Israel war.
Our political leaders have been cowardly. Caretaker Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Prime Minister elect Chris Luxon have been passing the buck between themselves in a shameful display of weakness at a time when New Zealand voice must be heard calling for an end to the slaughter in Gaza.
Both Labour and National leaders must issue a joint call for a ceasefire and an end to the bloodshed and slaughter.
There is no place for faintheartedness or cowardly behaviour. New Zealanders expect leadership.
We know the US doesn’t want countries to call for a ceasefire – they are happy for the mass killing of Palestinian civilians to continue.
The Huffington Post has reported that last Friday:
In messages circulated on Friday, State Department staff wrote that high-level officials do not want press materials to include three specific phrases: “de-escalation/ceasefire,” “end to violence/bloodshed” and “restoring calm.”
New Zealand has spinelessly followed suite. The rallies will demand the government act.
The Auckland march will be to the US Consulate in Customs Street while the Wellington march will be to the US Embassy – underlining the US underwriting Israel’s brutal oppression of Palestinians.
Details of the events are on our PSNA facebook page here but the main events are:
Auckland
2:00 pm Rally in Aotea Square then march to US Consulate, 291-297 Queen Street, Auckland
Hamilton
1:00 pm, End of Wairere Drive and Naylor Street, Hillcrest (opposite Flynn Park), Hamilton
New Plymouth
1:00 pm, The Landing, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth
Palmerston North
2:00 pm, The Square, Palmerston North
Whanganui
11:30 am, Tram Shed, Taupo Quay, Whanganui
Wellington
1:00 pm, Steps of Parliament Molesworth Street then March to US Embassy
Christchurch
1:00 – 2:00 pm, Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch.
John Minto
National Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
