PSNA Newsletter No 196 - 9 July 2025
9 Hōngongoi 2025
9 July 2025
Newsletter No 196
Items in this newsletter
1. Nationwide rallies/marches/vigils this week
2. PSNA refers government ministers and business leaders to the ICC
2. Three things you can do now for Palestine…
3. Day of Protest at Rocket Lab – July 4th
4. SodaStream campaign launch – 19th July
5. See the banned BBC documentary “Gaza Doctors under attack”
6. RNZ response to PSNA complaint
7. One World, One Struggle
8. Take the anti-apartheid pledge
9. Block Baerbok petition
10. “Death Death to the IDF”
11. Quotes of the week
12. Keep spreading the message about the Genocide Hotline!
13. Important stories from last week
14. Lots of new, interesting merchandise for sale
15. New SodaStream stickers available
Nationwide rallies/marches/MP protests/vigils this week
To view events around Aotearoa:
Go to the PSNA Homepage – www.PSNA.nz and scroll down to to the button linking to the Facebook events page - Check back on Friday for any moves, adds or changes
Or go directly to events here PSNA Facebook events page
Or Scroll down to the bottom of this Newsletter to get to the detailed list of events around the motu this week.
There are more than 30 events around the Motu this week.
PSNA refers government ministers and business leaders to the International Criminal Court for investigation for criminal liability in supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza
PSNA ad in the NZ Herald on Friday last week, 4 July
Mainstream media refused to publish PSNA’s referral of four government ministers and two business leaders for complicity with Israel’s genocide saying they will wait till the ICC responds.
This is typical of the cover given to Israel by our mainstream media and political leaders over 21 months of genocide in Gaza.
It was however reported extensively on social media channels, by Asia Pacific Report here, by journalist Mick Hall here and by the Daily Blog here.
Three things you can do now for Palestine. (two of them take just a couple of clicks…).
Go with family and friends to your your local protests for Palestine this weekend – see the events earlier in the newsletter.
Sign the anti-apartheid pledge – see later in the newsletter…
Sign the Block Baerbock petition – see later in the newsletter…
Day of protest at Rocket Lab – July 4th
Protest outside Auckland’s Rocket Lab HQ on 4 July
The day after PSNA announced our referral of four cabinet ministers and two business leaders to the International Criminal Court wee supported the “End Rocket Lab Genocide Complicity” protest outside Rocket Lab’s New Zealand head office in Mt Wellington tomorrow as well as protests at Rocket Lab sites in Warkworth and Mahia.
One of the two business leaders referred for investigation to the ICC was Rocket Lab CEO, Sir Peter Beck. As we pointed out:
“Rocket Lab has recently launched geospatial intelligence satellites for BlackSky Technology. These satellites provide high resolution images to Israel which are very likely used to assist with striking civilians in Gaza. Sir Peter has proceeded with these launches in full knowledge of these circumstances”
Sam Vincent, leader of the legal group which prepared the ICC referral speaks at Rocket Lab protest in Auckland on 4 July
Mt Wellington
Warkworth
Mahia Peninsula
SodaStream Campaign launch – July 19th
Following up on our successful nationwide BDS campaign against Obela Hummus last year we are ready to formally launch a nationwide campaign targeting SodaStream products.
The launch will be on Saturday 19th July and before then we hope groups around the country will have stickers and leaflets for the campaign. They will also have a letter they can present to the Sodastream stockists in their area although we will have a priority national retail target which will be revealed for the campaign launch.
SodaStream has been a BDS target for many years. It started as an Israeli-owned company but is now owned by PepsiCo although the bulk of production still takes place in Israel for the benefit of the Israeli economy and therefore helps Israel to maintain its unlawful occupation of the Palestinian territories.
One of the successful features of the Obela campaign was the weekly newsletter which included details of actions being taken all over the country targeting Obela – we all learn’t from each other. We aim to do this each week for the SodaStream campaign with a dedicated place in our national newsletter.
Gaza Doctors under attack
This is the documentary that the BBC won't screen because it shows evidence of the GENOCIDE Israel is conducting in Gaza. You can view it at this link.
RNZ response to PSNA complaint
An OIA request from journalist Mick Hall reveals behind the scenes response to PSNA complaint to Radio New Zealand about its used of blatantly biased BBC reporting on Gaza. Read the report here
One World, One Struggle
Palcast is the podcast hosted by Palestinian refugee Yousef Aljamal and his longtime friend and renowned activist Helena Cobban. Get the latest episode here
Take the Apartheid-free Pledge
Take the anti-apartheid pledge here
Block Baerbock – petition to sign and share here
More information and you can sign the petition here
“Death, Death to the IDF”
Statement from Bob Vylan after Glastonbury
While western leaders have been outraged at the chant “Death, death to the IDF” led by the rap duo Bob Vylan from the stage at Glastonbury music festival, they have refused to condemn the industrial-scale killing and mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.
When it comes to Israel, western hypocrisy is legendary. (An Al Jazeera of Glastonbury and western hypocrisy is here)
Since Glastonbury the chant has appeared around the world at rallies and protests – including here in Aotearoa New Zealand. So how should we react?
Regarding the chant Bob Vylan say: "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine"
And go on… "we, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story, and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction".
PSNA supports the dismantling of the IDF – it is indeed a deeply racist, violent, military machine, driven by Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism. Its function is genocide and ethnic cleansing.
Predictably the chant has been described as “anti-semitic” by the pro-Israel lobby who use false smears of anti-semitism to distract and divert arguments calling for accountability for Israel’s criminal behaviour.
The pro-Israeli lobby is just as outraged at the slogan 'From the River to the Sea - Palestine will be free'. There are indeed few slogans which they will approve, probably a good indication of the ones we should stop using.
If the Glastonbury chant was 'Death to Jews' Bob Vylan would have been dragged of the stage at Glastonbury with Palestinians and the entire Palestinian solidarity movement condemning it outright.
But the chant is not anti-semitic – it as a call for IDF accountability for genocide!
The only reason for not using it are the various misinterpretations which can be placed on it.
Quotes of the week!
“Until Witkoff and Trump weigh in on the issues, [the Israelis] are not going to budge. This is just a propaganda tour in which they are trying to tell the Palestinians and the whole world and their own people that they are negotiating and trying to see if they can get anywhere. But the final outcome will be what takes place today and tomorrow in Washington. The bottom line is not what’s taking place [with the negotiations] in Doha.”
—Palestinian Source close to Negotiations
__________________
“Israel insists on its mechanism for the humanitarian aid distribution, ‘the death traps.’ This is not acceptable to the [Hamas] movement by any means.”
— Hamas Official; Doha, Qatar
___________________
“[A]fter the population is concentrated [in camps in between Rafah & the Morag Corridor], mechanisms will be activated to encourage voluntary migration of Gaza residents from the humanitarian city to third countries outside the Strip.”
—YNET; Israeli News Outlet
____________________
“There is no such thing as voluntary displacement amongst a population that has been under constant bombardment for nearly two years and has been cut off from essential aid.”
—Jeremy Konyndyk; President, Refugees International
Keep spreading the message about the Genocide Hotline!
Remember possible action for local groups
For groups affiliated to PSNA we suggest the following actions could be taken at any time in support of this campaign
The Silence of the Sultans: Muslim Regimes and the Holocaust of our Time here
Israel and Iran - what next? here
The Folly of A War With Iran here
Twyford condemns weak action by NZ over Israel’s ruthless apartheid here
Jews Speak Out: Israel’s Genocide “Worse Than Nazis” here
Egypt's Crackdown on the Global March to Gaza here
The real reason Israel attacked Iran here
Important stories from last week
Editor’s picks
Yousef Aljamal interview on Te Upoko o Te Ika radio station here
This Is the Worst Phase of the Gaza Genocide here (Yousef Aljamal)
PSNA targets NZ businesses complicit with Israel’s Gaza genocide here
PSNA lawyers refer NZ Prime Minister Luxon and three government ministers to the ICC over Gaza here
Implications of Albanese report here (Al Jazeera panel discussion)
Francesca Albanese interviewed on Al Jazeera here
Appeasing Trump in the Middle East is not cost-free for New Zealand here
Other stories
Tom Barrack's project to destabilize Lebanon here
Top Economists Back Francesca Albanese's Report on the 'Economy of Genocide' in Gaza here
Rev. Sue Parfitt just weeks away from developing a nuclear bomb here (Satire)
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) here (video)
The Hamas Response to Trump’s Gaza “Ceasefire” Proposal here
Greenpeace chief recalls New Zealand’s nuclear free exploits and seeks peace in Gaza here
The empire has accidentally caused the rebirth of real counter culture in the west here
Gaza’s hunger games – how Israel is weaponizing starvation here
Israeli drone attack near Beirut kills at least one, injures three others here
Air raid hits vehicle in Khaldeh, south of Lebanese capital, as Israel continues its near-daily attacks on Lebanon here
Luxon, Peters, Seymour and Collins referred to the International Criminal Court here
The Devil in the Details of Trump’s "Final Proposal" for Gaza Ceasefire here
BBC digital news no longer republished here
How vintage cloths from Aotearoa are helping feed families in Gaza here
Palantir executives appointed colonels here
The ceasefire with Iran reveals the limits of Israel’s power and its dependence on the US here
How Britian’s designation of Hamas and Palestine Action as terrorist groups silences free speech here
Lots of new interesting merchandise for sale - please check with your local branch and/or contact us Merchandise@PSNA.nzMerchandise for sale
We are ready to mail to you any of our t-shirts, long ($35) and short ($30) sleeved, hoodies ($45) bumper stickers ($3), Tino/Palestine pins ($3) flags ($10) and other items plus postage.
Note: We now have small size hoodies $45.
See more on the PSNA website here.
If you’d like some stickers for SodaStream email your name and address to Merchandise@PSNA.nz and we will send them to you.
Reminder: Annual Dates for Palestine Solidarity
28 Mar – 4 Apr Israel Apartheid Week
30 Mar Land Day Palestine
5 Apr Palestinian Childs Day
9 Apr Deir Yassin massacre - Irgun Terrorism - 107-120 Palestinian men, women and children massacred
17 Apr Palestinian Prisoners Day
11 May World Kufiya Day
15 May Nakba Day – marking the mass ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Palestine in 1948
5 Jun Nakba Day - Start of 1967 War - Land Grab – Invasion of Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza, Egypt and Syria - 5 June 1967 – 10 June 1967
20 Jun Attack on Gaza - 6–21 May 2021 (2 weeks and 1 day)
16-18 Sep 40th anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila massacres
28 Sep Second Intifada - 28 Sept 2000 – 8 Feb 2005
2 Nov Balfour Declaration
29 Nov United Nations - International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
8 Dec "First Intifada - 8 Dec 1987 – 13 Sept 1993
Are you able to donate a cup of coffee a month to the campaign?
We will need some serious money to make our campaign as effective as possible. For example, we will need somewhere in the vicinity of $25,000 to bring speakers to New Zealand over the next year and organise large public meetings to help spread the message.
You can help. Are you able to donate a cup of coffee a month to the campaign? In other words, can you afford to make an automatic payment of $5 per month to support the Palestinian struggle? (If you can afford more that would be great!)
Our account details are:
Account name: Palestine Solidarity Network
Account number: 38-9015-0849542-00
We are happy to provide a receipt upon request (however, we are not a registered charity so this is not tax-deductible)
Nationwide Rally list to 6 July 2024
To view events around Aotearoa:
Go to the PSNA Homepage – www.PSNA.nz
Scroll down to the button “For a list of events Nationwide, please click here - Check back often for updates”
Click the button
Check back on Friday for any moves, adds or changes
Or events are on the PSNA Facebook events page here
There are more than 30 events around the Motu this week.
North Island
Rawene - Winter Films for Palestine
Forth Saturdays of the month
Rawene Hall
5:30 pm
July 26 – The Doctors Wife
August 23 – No Other Land
Kerikeri - Rally
First Saturday of the Month
Whangarei
Saturday July 12
No Rally this weekend.
Auckland – Stand for Palestine
Monday – Friday
3:00 – 4:00 pm at the US Consulate - 23 Customs Street East
4:00 – 5:00 pm at Te Komititanga Britomart Square
Auckland - Picket US Consulate
Wednesday July 9
12:00 – 1:00 pm
23 Customs Street East, Auckland Central
Waiheke – Market Stall – hosted by Stand With Palestine Waiheke!
Every Saturday
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ostend Market, Waiheke Island
Auckland – Banners around Tamaki Makaurau
Every Saturday
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Join the team – text John on 021 899 659
Auckland – Devonport Rally and March to the Naval Base
Saturday 12 July
2:00 pm
Beside the Library @ Devonport
Thames – Vigil to Stop the war on Children
(Hosted by The Basket – Social and Environmental Justice - Hauraki)
first Saturday of the month
Tauranga – Flag Waving
Sunday 13 July June
11:00 am
Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui
Hamilton – Flag Waving for Palestine
Every Saturday
1:00 pm
Flynn Park, Cnr Wairere Drive & Naylor, Hamilton
Hamilton
No Rally this weekend
Raglan – Silent Vigil
Hosted by Whaingaroa Palestine Solidarity
Saturday, 12 July
11am
Meet at the Library
Raglan – Doco - "Gaza: Journalists Under Fire"
Hosted by Whaingaroa Palestine Solidarity
Wednesday 16 July
7:00pm
Raglan Old School Art Centre
Cambridge - Rally for Palestine
Every Saturday
11:00 am
Cambridge Town Hall
Rotorua – Rally for Palestine
Every Thursday
4:30 pm
National MP Todd McClay’s Office - Cnr Amohau and Ranolf St lights, Rotorua
Napier - Rally for Palestine
Every Saturday
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Hastings – Rally for Palestine
Every Sunday
1:30 – 3:00 pm
Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
Napier – Winter Deco Weekend
Saturday July 19
11:30 am
Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Palmerston North - Rally
Every Sunday
2:00 pm
The Square, Palmerston North
Ngāmotu-New Plymouth – Flag Wave on the bridge
Saturday 12 July
1:00 pm
Paynters Ave Bridge, New Plymouth
Whanganui - Rally for Palestine
Every Saturday
11:00 am
Riverside Market, Whanganui
Martinborough – Vigil for Palestine
Every Wednesday
11:00 am
Memorial gate - Martinborough Square, at the end of SH53
Masterton - Gathering for Gaza
Every Sunday
9:30 am
Town Hall Lawn, Masterton
Wellington – Flags on the Bridge
(hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
Every Friday
7:15 – 8:15 am
Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
Wellington – Rally at Wellington Hospital
(hosted by Aotearoa Healthcare workers for Palestine)
First Friday of the month
Wellington – Rally and March
(hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
Saturday July 12
1:00 pm
Cnr Courtnay Place and Cambridge Terrace to Cuba Mall
See https://www.instagram.com/falastin_tea_collective for further details
Wellington – Movie – The Dr’s Wife
Wednesday 16 July
6:00 pm
Loaves and Fishes Hall, Wellington Cathedral of StPaul
For tickets - https://whitioraproductions.com/the-doctors-wife
South Island
Nelson – Rally for Palestine
Saturday July 12
No Rally this weekend
Blenheim - Rally for Palestine
Every Saturday
11:00 am
Blenheim Railway Station
Picton – Rally for Palestine
Every Saturday
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Picton Foreshore
Christchurch – Flags for Palestine
Every Friday
4:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Christchurch – Ceasefire NOW in Gaza, End the starvation, End the killing!
Saturday July 12
12:30 pm - Flag Waving before the rally - Durham Street side of the bridge
1:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance
Dunedin
Saturday July 12
No Rally this weekend
Keep an eye out for later in July. . .
Invercargill - Rally
(hosted by Invercargill Stands With Palestine)
Rally on Sunday July 13
1:00 pm
Wachner place, Invercargill
More ways you can get involved
Forward this Newsletter – If you know people who may be interested in this movement, please forward this Newsletter to them.
Join in local activities in your area - Contact Secretary@PSNA.nz if you would like to know where and how to get Flags and Banners
Help set up a Students for Justice in Palestine groups on your campus
Tell Your MP your opinions on Divestment and Sanctions of Israel.
Write Letters to Newspapers – Call Talkback Radio
Keep in touch with the campaign on social media
o NZ Palestine Solidarity Network website: https://www.PSNA.nz
o NZ Palestine Solidarity Network Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/671376706283605/
o NZ Palestine Solidarity Network email: Secretary@PSNA.nz
The Palestine Human Rights Campaign produces the In Occupied Palestine newsletter. It is a regular daily newsletter on the daily situation in Palestine, compiled by Leslie Bravery and emailed to subscribers. If you would also like to become a subscriber, please contact Leslie at “lesliebravery @ icloud .com” (remove the spaces to use as an email address) for further information.
Keep Updated on our Facebook pages and websites (listed below)
Human rights for Uyghur refugees - In line with our support for human rights for the people of Palestine we have added our name to the petition in support of human rights for Uyghur refugees so they can be included in the government’s refugee quota. PSNA members who wish to also sign this petition can do so here - https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/open-letter-let-s-show-compassion-to-the-uyghur-community
PSNA Groups
PSNA National Committee
Website: www.PSNA.nz
Chair - John Minto: Chair@PSNA.nz
Secretary - Neil Scott: Secretary@PSNA.nz
Regional Groups
Bay of Islands PSN Bay of Islands (Email)
Whangarei PSN Whangarei (Facebook)
Auckland PSN Auckland – Tamaki Makaurau (Website)
Hamilton Palestine Human Rights Campaign Waikato (Facebook)
Tauranga Tauranga Moana 4 Palestine (Facebook)
Napier/Hastings Aotearoa Standing with Palestine (Facebook)
Palmerston North PSN Palmerston North (Email)
New Plymouth PSN Taranaki (Facebook)
Wellington PSN Wellington (Email)
Nelson Te Tau Ihu (Nelson) Palestine (Facebook)
Christchurch PSN Christchurch (Facebook)
Dunedin Dunedin for Justice in Palestine (Facebook)
Invercargill PSNA Invercargill (Email)