Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand
Palestine Forum of New Zealand (PFNZ) is calling on communities across Aotearoa New Zealand to join the Global Day of Action for Palestine on Saturday 10 October, standing alongside people around the world demanding an end to the ongoing devastation of Gaza, the dispossession of Palestinians, military complicity and the failure to enforce international law.
The Global Day of Action brings together communities, organisations and movements around four shared demands:
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END THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA
Protect civilians, uphold international humanitarian law, and address Israel’s genocide.
The killing and suffering of Palestinians cannot be normalised or treated as an unavoidable consequence of conflict. Civilians must be protected, humanitarian obligations upheld, and those responsible for violations of international law held accountable.
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PROTECT PALESTINIAN LAND
End land seizures, settlement expansion, settler violence and forced displacement.
The dispossession of Palestinians is not confined to Gaza. Across the occupied Palestinian territory, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Palestinians continue to face land seizures, settlement expansion, settler violence and displacement. These practices must end.
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END MILITARY SUPPLY LINES
Examine and halt transfers and relationships contributing to military operations and violations.
Governments must examine their military, technological, financial and institutional relationships and ensure that no support, equipment, transfers or cooperation contributes to violations of international humanitarian law or human rights.
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ENFORCE INTERNATIONAL LAW WITHOUT EXCEPTION
Reject political selectivity and ensure universal accountability for alleged war crimes and violations.
International law cannot be applied selectively according to political alliances. The same standards must apply to all states and all alleged violations. Accountability must be universal, independent and free from political double standards.
Aotearoa New Zealand must act
PFNZ says New Zealand has both an opportunity and a responsibility to demonstrate that its commitment to a rules-based international order applies consistently.
“New Zealand cannot call for international law to be respected while remaining silent or passive when Palestinians are subjected to mass civilian suffering, dispossession and violations of their fundamental rights,” said Maher Nazzal, Chair of the Palestine Forum of New Zealand.
“10 October is an opportunity for people across Aotearoa to make four simple demands clear: end the genocide, protect Palestinian land, end military supply lines that contribute to violations, and enforce international law without exception.”
PFNZ is urging the New Zealand Government and all political parties to move beyond statements of concern and take meaningful action, including examining New Zealand’s relationships and supply chains for any contribution to violations of international law and ensuring that New Zealand’s foreign policy is consistent with its obligations under international law.
“This is not about applying one standard to Israel and another to everyone else. It is about applying the same standard to everyone,” Nazzal said.
“International law either means something for everyone, or it becomes a political instrument applied only when convenient.”
Join the Global Day of Action
PFNZ encourages Palestinians, tangata whenua, community organisations, trade unions, faith communities, human rights advocates and members of the public across Aotearoa New Zealand to participate in events and actions taking place on Saturday 10 October.
The Global Day of Action is a collective call for solidarity, justice and accountability and a reminder that silence and political inaction are not neutral responses to grave violations of human rights and international law.
Four demands. One message: justice for Palestine.