Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)
PSNA is accusing Foreign Minister Winston Peters of staying silent on the explosive UN Independent Commission report on Israel’s deliberate targeting of Palestinian children so it wouldn’t interfere with his first meeting with the new US ambassador – pictured above.
“It’s clear to us the two are linked” says PSNA National spokesperson Rinad Tamimi. “Winston Peters would see this as clever politics but his refusal to condemn Israel’s targeting of Palestinian children has betrayed New Zealand values in favour of obeyance to Israel and the US.”
In the report released by the United Nations Independent Commission late last month, in the leadup to Peters’ first meeting with the ambassador, Israel is accused of deliberately killing Palestinian children in Occupied Gaza and the Occupied West Bank using sniper rifles and quadcopter drones. (ref. https://www.un.org/unispal/document/coi-report-23jun26/ )
Doctors on medical missions in Gaza reported to the commission that it appeared Israeli Defence Force (IDF) soldiers were engaged in a “game” of target practice with “different body parts being targeted on different days”.
The comprehensive report, drawing from multiple sources, details horrendous war crimes against Palestinian children, including the horrific killing of Hind Rajab, and calls on all countries to take immediate action to protect Palestinian children and hold Israel to account.
“This report is sickening and heartbreaking reading” says Ms Tamimi. “New Zealanders know what’s going on and they know our government is complicit”
“Polls repeatedly show New Zealanders favour sanctions against Israel (41% yes, 27% no) but Winston is playing to his NZ First base which is the most opposed to sanctions”
“We are living in a time of great shame for this country. Our people are on the right side but our Foreign Minister is on side with the genocide”
“In light of the latest UN report PSNA is renewing its call for the government to withhold visas from all Israeli military personnel and hold Israel to account for its cruelty and its war crimes.”
As UN Independent Commissioner Chris Sidoti says:
“Anyone who has served in the Israeli Forces in Gaza since October 2023 should be considered a suspect in relation to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of genocide”
“We agree,” says Ms Tamimi.
Rinad Tamimi
National Spokesperson
PSNA.