Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)
PSNA is challenging the government to obtain medical records held in Türkiye to prove the truth of Global Sumud Flotilla activist Hāhona Ormsby’s claim that he was beaten and injured by Israeli guards in Israel in late April.
In a confrontation at today’s hearing of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Select Committee, Peters claimed Ormsby’s charges against Israel were ‘bulldust’.
“But when other countries, such as Italy, Malaysia, France and Australia, are actively investigating Israeli torture against their citizens, then the New Zealand government position, that Peters’ claims against Israel are lies, is untenable.”
“There are plenty of witnesses who will testify that Israeli Prisons’ Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir personally spat on Ormsby when he was held in Israeli detention.”
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says Israel captured members of the flotilla on international waters in the Mediterranean, and then deported Ormsby, and other activists, from Israel to Türkiye, where their injuries were medically assessed.
PSNA spokesperson Rinad Tamimi says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to urgently request those records from Türkiye. Sumud activists have so far not been able to procure their own files.
“It might be embarrassing for MFAT to go through diplomatic channels get real evidence to show up their minister,” says Tamimi.
“There were three Opposition MPs at the Select Committee, Deputy Chair Damien O’Connor, Labour Foreign Affairs spokesperson Vanushi Walters and Greens’ Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tuiono Teanau.”
“They should demand Peters instruct his ministry to interview Sumud Flotilla participants captured by Israel, get their medical records from Türkiye and liaise with other countries, and the International Criminal Court, doing real investigations of Israeli violence.”
“If the Ministry finds Hāhona’s claims vindicated, then these Opposition members should make sure Hāhona’s trespass order from Parliament is revoked, and he is invited to share his experiences with the Select Committee, along with other New Zealanders who were likewise illegally detained and beaten by Israeli thugs.“
Rinad Tamimi
National Spokesperson
PSNA