PSNA has written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today seeking an assurance New Zealand military export orders to the US and Israel have been halted following Friday’s United Nations Human Rights Council resolution calling for a halt to all arms sales to Israel.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution calling for Israel to be held accountable for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Gaza Strip, and demanding a halt to all arms sales to the country.
Friday’s vote marked the first time that the UN’s top rights body has taken a position on the nearly six-month war, highlighting warnings of “genocide” in the conflict that has killed more than 33,000 people.
New Zealand has significant exports of military equipment to the US, in particular via Rakon which provides crystal oscillators to the US military which incorporates them into weapons which are provided to Israel. The Rakon website indicates clearly its products are used for “defence purposes”. Previously it has been widely reported Rakon products are purchased by US defence contractor Rockwell for incorporation into guided missiles and guided artillery shells.
All exports orders from Rakon must be stopped immediately.
The wanton killing of over 33,000 Palestinians – mostly women and children – by the Israeli Defence Force has been widely described as a likely genocide by the International Court of Justice and human rights groups around the world.
John Minto
National Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
