Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
The overnight decision of the International Court of Justice that Israeli settlements on Palestinian land are illegal demands immediate action from our government. (ref. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/522616/top-un-court-says-israeli-settlements-in-occupied-palestinian-territory-are-illegal )
The ICJ found that “Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the regime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law”
The Court went on to say that the UN Security Council, the General Assembly and all states have an obligation not to recognise the occupation as legal and not to give aid or support toward maintaining it.
In response our government should immediately:
- Impose a ban on the importation of all products from the illegal Israeli settlements and
- direct our Superfund, ACC and Kiwisaver funds to divest from companies identified by the United Nations Human Rights Council as complicit in the building and maintenance of these settlements. The recently updated database is here in a pdf.
Friday’s ICJ ruling confirms what the United National Security Council found in passing resolution 2334 in 2016.
This resolution was co-sponsored by New Zealand (New Zealand had a place on the Security Council at the time under a National-led government)
The United Nations Security Council stated that, in the occupied Palestinian territories, Israeli settlements had “no legal validity” and constituted “a flagrant violation under international law”. It said they were a “major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace” in the Middle East.
Friday’s ICJ ruling reinforces the UN resolution and the need for government action.
“New Zealand, which co-sponsored the UN resolution in 2016 should lead the way on this” says PSNA National Chair John Minto. “We need to put our money where our mouth is – especially since the current far-right Israeli government has said its “top priority” is to push ahead with more illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land”
Around the country this weekend New Zealanders will be out in their thousands to demand government action.
The details of the protests this weekend are below.
National Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.
Events list
North Island
Opononi – Gathering for Palestine
Sunday 21 July
1:30 pm
Outside the Four Square, Opononi
Kerikeri
Every first Saturday of the month
Not this Saturday
Whangarei – Rally
Saturday 20 July
10:00 am
Whangārei Town Basin in front of Hundertwasser Building
Auckland Picket – Devonport Naval Base
Friday 19 July
12:00 noon
Meet at Outside the Devonport Ferry Terminal @ 11:15am
Walk along to the Devonport Naval Base
(Ferries from Downtown Auckland run on the hour and half past the hour after 10:30 am)
Waiheke Island Market – Auckland
Every Saturday
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ostend Market, Waiheke Island
Auckland –Banners around Tamaki Makaurau
Saturday 20 July
10:00 – 1:00 pm
Cnr Stoddard and May Roads, Mt Roskill
Text Steve for details (dependant on wind speeds)
Auckland – Rally
Sunday 21 July
2:00 pm
Te Komititanga – Britomart Square
Waiheke Film – Where Olive trees Weep
7:00 pm
Wednesday July 24,
Waiheke Community Cinema.
Bookings recommended. Tickets $10, koha to MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians).
Organised by Stand with Palestine Waiheke!
Tauranga – David Seymour Protest
Thursday 18 July
5:30 pm
Trinity wharf Hotel, 51 Dive Cres
Tauranga – Flags
Sunday 21 July
11:00 am -12: 00 noon
Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui
Hamilton – Rally
Saturday 20 July
1:00 pm
Civic Square, Hamilton
Cambridge Rally
Saturday 20 July
11:00 am
Cambridge Town Hall
Rotorua – Rally
Thursday 18 July
4:00 pm
Rotorua Lakes Council, Haupapa Street (Sir Howard Morrison Corner)
Napier – Rally
Saturday 20 July
11:30 am
Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Hastings – Rally
Sunday 21 July
2:00 pm
Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
Palmerston North – Rally
Sunday 21 July
2:00 pm
The Square, Palmerston North
New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge
Friday 19 July
4:30 pm
Paynters Ave Bridge
Check the local Facebook page to see if this is on this week.
New Plymouth – Rally
Saturday 20 July
1:00 pm
The Landing, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth
Whanganui – Rally
Saturday 20 July
11:00 am
Riverside Market, Whanganui
Carterton
Every Tuesday
12:00 midday
Memorial Square.
Martinborough – Gathering for Palestine
Every Wednesday
11:00 am
The square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough
Masterton
Every Sunday
9:30 am
Town Hall Lawn
Featherston
Every Saturday
11:00 am
The Squircle (opposite the op shop).
Wellington – Flags (by the Falastin Tea Collective)
Every Friday
7:15 – 8:15 am
Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
Wellington – Rally (by the Falastin Tea Collective)
Saturday 20 July
1:00 pm
Te Aro park across from The Opera House
Please see Instagram account @falastin_tea_collective for updates.
South Island
Nelson – Rally
Saturday 20 July
10:30 am
1903 Square, Upper Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Blenheim
Saturday 20 July
11:00 am
Blenheim Railway Station
Christchurch – Rally
Saturday 20 July
1:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Timaru – Market Stall
Not this week
Dunedin – Rally
Saturday 20 July
1:00 pm
Otago Museum Reserve to the Octagon, Dunedin
Queenstown
No Rally this weekend
Invercargill – Rally
Sunday 21 July
1:00 pm
Wachner place Invercargill.
