This morning the following Open Letter was sent to the caretaker Prime Minister and incoming Prime Minister from a broad range of respected community organisations and individuals (collected over the last couple of days) calling for New Zealand to take a strong stand appealing for a ceasefire in the Gaza/Israel war and for Palestinians in Gaza to come under United Nations protection.
These people represent the large majority of New Zealanders who want effective government action now to stop the violence and killing.
John Minto
National Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
www.PSNA.nz
Open letter to New Zealand political leaders to call for a ceasefire in Gaza
26 October 2023
Chris Hipkins
Caretaker Prime Minister
Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister elect
Kia ora kōrua,
Appeal for New Zealand to call for a ceasefire in Gaza now
We, the undersigned individuals and organisations, appeal to the New Zealand government to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza/Israel war.
We realise there is a transition between governments occurring, but the people of Gaza can’t wait for the help they need.
The situation in Gaza is extremely grave, as approximately 2.3 million Palestinians are facing severe shortages of water, food, electricity, medicine, and essential healthcare services. This crisis has been exacerbated by relentless Israeli attacks that have persisted for more than two weeks and are now intensifying.
The death toll for Palestinians in Gaza is now over 4,000 with more than 1,750 children among the dead.
How many more children should die before we call for a ceasefire and the placing of Palestinian civilians of Gaza under United Nations protection?
Please do not reply to this letter making the excuse we have a caretaker government whose hands are tied or that the incoming government has no authority to act.
On behalf of the Palestinian people of Gaza, and the huge majority of New Zealanders who care, please act together – today!
Ngā mihi ki a kōrua.
Nā,
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Names |
Description (for identification purposes only) |
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John Minto |
National Chair, PSNA |
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Ahmed Saadeh |
Convenor, PACC |
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Julie Webb-Pullman |
Formerly living in Gaza and working for the Gaza Centre for Human Rights |
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Bishop Philip Richardson |
Anglican Bishop of Waikato and Taranaki |
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Robyn Malcolm |
Actor |
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Reb Fountain |
Musician |
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Tom Scott |
Musician |
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Dianne Swan |
Musician |
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Claire Chitham |
Actor |
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Yani Johanson |
Christchurch City Councillor |
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Samuel F Scott |
The Phoenix Foundation |
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Anjum Rahman |
(Islamic Women’s Council) |
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Suzanne Loughlin |
Womens International League for Peace and Freedom Aotearoa |
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Tyla Harrison-Hunt |
Christchurch City Councillor |
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Lani Kereopa |
Māori Ward Council rep Rotorua Lakes Council |
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Tyrone Fields |
Christchurch City Councillor |
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Greg Byrnes |
ECAN Councillor |
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Margaret Mutu |
Professor of Māori Studies, University of Auckland |
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Nikau Wi Neera |
Wellington City Councillor |
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Sophie McInnes |
Selwyn District Council |
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Sam Mahon |
Artist |
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Alison Erikson |
Artist |
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Natalia Sheppard |
Musician |
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Garry Moore |
Ex Mayor of Christchurch |
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Bella Kalolo-Suraj |
Musician |
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Hilda Halkyard-Harawira |
Far North District Council Councillor |
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Richard Wagstaff |
President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions |
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Melissa Ansell-Bridges |
National Secretary of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions |
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Tom Hulena |
Masterton District Councillor |
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Liz Gordon |
Ex Alliance MP |
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Ian Powell |
Political Commentator |
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Roger Fowler |
Kia Ora Gaza |
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Susan St John |
Economist |
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Bali Haque |
Educator |
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Pat Handcock |
Palmerston North City Councillor |
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Hone Harawira |
Te Kawariki |
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Teri O’Neill |
Wellington City Councillor |
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Steve Abel |
Green Party MP |
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Alan Taylor |
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Dr Jane Kelsey |
Former law professor at University of Auckland |
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Geoff Bertram |
Economist |
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Andy Watson |
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Mike Keir |
Waikato District Council Councillor |
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Cody Tucker |
Queenstown Lakes District Councillor |
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Brent Barrett |
Palmerston North City Councillor |
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Kate Kennedy |
Grey District Councillor |
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Rachel Sanson |
Nelson City Council |
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Pera Paniora |
Kaipara District Councillor |
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Kaye McAuley |
South Wairarapa District Councillor |
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Celeste Donovan |
Christchurch City Councillor |
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Steve Walker |
Dunedin City Councillor |
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Nandor Tanczos |
Whakatane District Councillor |
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Elliot Weir |
Otago Regional Council |
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John Sullivan |
Lawyer |
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Rae Julian |
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Annette Sykes |
Lawyer and Māori activist |
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Valerie Morse |
Peace Action Wellington |
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Marty Robinson |
Northland Regional Council |
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John Watson |
Auckland City Councillor |
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Benjamin Preston |
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Nureddin Abdurahman |
Wellington City Councillor |
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Robert Reid |
President First Union |
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Frances Joychild KC |
Human rights lawyer |
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Jen Olsen |
Extinction Rebellion |
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Marie Laufiso |
Dunedin City Councillor |
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Maxine Boag |
Napier City Councillor |
