Open letter to New Zealand political leaders to call for a ceasefire in Gaza
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
26 October 2023
Media Release:
This morning the following Open Letter was sent to the caretaker Prime Minister and incoming Prime Minister from a broad range of respected community organisations and individuals (collected over the last couple of days) calling for New Zealand to take a strong stand appealing for a ceasefire in the Gaza/Israel war and for Palestinians in Gaza to come under United Nations protection.
These people represent the large majority of New Zealanders who want effective government action now to stop the violence and killing.
John Minto
National Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
0220850161
johnminto@orcon.net.nz
www.PSNA.nz
Open letter to New Zealand political leaders to call for a ceasefire in Gaza
26 October 2023
Chris Hipkins
Caretaker Prime Minister
c.hipkins@ministers.govt.nz
Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister elect
Christopher.luxon@parliament.govt.nz
Kia ora kōrua,
Appeal for New Zealand to call for a ceasefire in Gaza now
We, the undersigned individuals and organisations, appeal to the New Zealand government to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza/Israel war.
We realise there is a transition between governments occurring, but the people of Gaza can’t wait for the help they need.
The situation in Gaza is extremely grave, as approximately 2.3 million Palestinians are facing severe shortages of water, food, electricity, medicine, and essential healthcare services. This crisis has been exacerbated by relentless Israeli attacks that have persisted for more than two weeks and are now intensifying.
The death toll for Palestinians in Gaza is now over 4,000 with more than 1,750 children among the dead.
How many more children should die before we call for a ceasefire and the placing of Palestinian civilians of Gaza under United Nations protection?
Please do not reply to this letter making the excuse we have a caretaker government whose hands are tied or that the incoming government has no authority to act.
On behalf of the Palestinian people of Gaza, and the huge majority of New Zealanders who care, please act together – today!
Ngā mihi ki a kōrua.
Nā,
Names
Description (for identification purposes only)
John Minto
National Chair, PSNA
Ahmed Saadeh - Convenor, PACC
Julie Webb-Pullman - Formerly living in Gaza and working for the Gaza Centre for Human Rights
Bishop Philip Richardson - Anglican Bishop of Waikato and Taranaki
Robyn Malcolm - Actor
Reb Fountain - Musician
Tom Scott - Musician
Dianne Swan - Musician
Claire Chitham - Actor
Yani Johanson - Christchurch City Councillor
Samuel F Scott - The Phoenix Foundation
Anjum Rahman - (Islamic Women’s Council)
Suzanne Loughlin - Womens International League for Peace and Freedom Aotearoa
Tyla Harrison-Hunt - Christchurch City Councillor
Lani Kereopa - Māori Ward Council rep Rotorua Lakes Council
Tyrone Fields - Christchurch City Councillor
Greg Byrnes - ECAN Councillor
Margaret Mutu - Professor of Māori Studies, University of Auckland
Nikau Wi Neera - Wellington City Councillor
Sophie McInnes - Selwyn District Council
Sam Mahon - Artist
Alison Erikson - Artist
Natalia Sheppard - Musician
Garry Moore - Ex Mayor of Christchurch
Bella Kalolo-Suraj - Musician
Hilda Halkyard-Harawira - Far North District Council Councillor
Richard Wagstaff - President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Melissa Ansell-Bridges - National Secretary of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Tom Hulena - Masterton District Councillor
Liz Gordon - Ex Alliance MP
Ian Powell - Political Commentator
Roger Fowler - Kia Ora Gaza
Susan St John - Economist
Bali Haque - Educator
Pat Handcock - Palmerston North City Councillor
Hone Harawira - Te Kawariki
Teri O’Neill - Wellington City Councillor
Steve Abel - Green Party MP
Alan Taylor -
Dr Jane Kelsey - Former law professor at University of Auckland
Geoff Bertram - Economist
Andy Watson -
Mike Keir - Waikato District Council Councillor
Cody Tucker - Queenstown Lakes District Councillor
Brent Barrett - Palmerston North City Councillor
Kate Kennedy - Grey District Councillor
Rachel Sanson - Nelson City Council
Pera Paniora - Kaipara District Councillor
Kaye McAuley - South Wairarapa District Councillor
Celeste Donovan - Christchurch City Councillor
Steve Walker - Dunedin City Councillor
Nandor Tanczos - Whakatane District Councillor
Elliot Weir - Otago Regional Council
John Sullivan - Lawyer
Rae Julian -
Annette Sykes - Lawyer and Māori activist
Valerie Morse - Peace Action Wellington
Marty Robinson - Northland Regional Council
John Watson - Auckland City Councillor
Benjamin Preston -
Nureddin Abdurahman - Wellington City Councillor
Robert Reid - President First Union
Frances Joychild KC - Human rights lawyer
Jen Olsen - Extinction Rebellion
Marie Laufiso - Dunedin City Councillor
Maxine Boag - Napier City Councillor
John Minto
John Minto
National Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
New Zealand 0220850161
John Minto is also former National Organiser for HART (Halt All Racist Tours) which successfully campaigned to stop rugby contact between New Zealand and apartheid South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s.