New Zealand must join international condemnation of Israeli brutality against Palestinians at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

6 April 2023

Media Release:

New Zealand must join international condemnation of Israeli brutality against Palestinians at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque

PSNA is urging the Aotearoa New Zealand government to join international condemnation of Israeli brutality against Palestinians in Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque.

The Israeli leadership, keen to deflect attention from its internal crises, has launched a second vicious attack on Al Aqsa in 24 hours – firing stun grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinian worshippers.

This is a calculated, brutal and unprovoked attack on Palestinians worshipping at Al Aqsa, the third holiest site in Islam, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Countries across the world – eg the US, Malaysia, Turkey, China, Canada etc – have condemned the Israeli violence against Palestinian civilian worshippers.

New Zealand must add its voice unequivocally on the side of freedom and justice for Palestinians.

We saw similar violent attacks on black South African civilians during the 1970s and 1980s under South African apartheid.

Equal rights for everyone in historic Palestine, Palestinians and Jews alike, is the path forward to peace based on justice.

Please note: We are asking the government NOT to use weasel words such as to call for “calm on both sides”, which suggests equal culpability, but to condemn the Israeli brutality outright.

 

John Minto

National Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa


John Minto

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.