Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)
As nationwide protests against Israeli genocide continue this weekend into the third year, PSNA is demanding Foreign Minister Winston Peters condemn Israeli torture of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti and Israel’s failure to abide by the terms of the ceasefire.
PSNA’s Co-chair, John Minto, says Barghouti is Palestine’s equivalent to South African anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela.
“Israel has held him in prison since 2002. He is revered as the most likely Palestinian to lead Palestinians out of occupation and apartheid. Though not affiliated to Hamas, he was top of their list of prisoners for Israel to release.”
“Israel refused. Instead, his jailers have kicked him unconscious and smashed his ribs.”
Minto says this is the clearest message to the world that Israel has no interest in allowing anybody like Nelson Mandela to ever emerge as a Palestinian leader to bring real peace and justice.
“Peters should be condemning this torture in the strongest terms.”
“He loudly complained that the protest movement in this country didn’t congratulate Trump with his plan to outsource the occupation of Gaza to Tony Blair, Egyptian secret police and Turkish soldiers.”
“But now, when Israel continues to kill Palestinians in Gaza every day, Peters is silent. Israeli snipers shot 35 Palestinians dead last Friday alone. Israel has also activated its al-Qaeda gangster gangs in Gaza to try to start of civil war.”
“There is no ceasefire. If Peters is to atone for his completely mistaken optimism about Trump’s peace plan, then he ought to be hauling in the Israeli ambassador today for an official rebuke and then send the ambassador packing.”
“Peters has been quick to impose sanctions on Iran. But, as usual, no action on Israel.”
John Minto
Co-Chair
Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)
