PSNA Newsletter No 205 - 10 September 2025
10 Mahuru 2025 2025
10 September 2025
Newsletter No 205
Stand with Palestine in September
Saturday 13 September – March the Auckland Harbour Bridge for sanctions against Israel
Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 September – Disrupt complicity with genocide (BDS international initiative)
Tuesday September 23 – UN General Assembly begins general debate to sanction Israel
March the Auckland Harbour Bridge for Sanctions against Israel – Saturday 13 September
It’s all out this Saturday to march the Auckland Harbour Bridge for sanctions against Israel. PSNA Auckland crew have been working hard with the organisers to make this a huge success. It will be a “moment in history” for the Palestinian struggle.
Come to Auckland if you can!
Items in this newsletter
Nationwide rallies/marches/vigils this week
Four things you can do now for Palestine…
Disrupt NZ government complicity with genocide
PSNA congratulates Gemma New on withdrawing from apartheid Israeli concerts – a big win for BDS
And confirming another win for BDS - PB Tech confirms it has stopped stocking SodaStream
Gaza negotiator the most dangerous job in the world? or is it journalists?
Correction… we got it wrong!
Muhammad Shehada invited to tour Aotearoa in November
Some pics from smaller centres on the Global Day of Action last Saturday
Spain breaks with western government complicity with Israel’s genocide
Amnesty International’s “Let Children Live” campaign
As censure increases over war in Gaza Israel finds support among Pacific Islands
Quotes of the week
A big win at Palmerston North City Council last week
Sticker! Sticker! Barcode! Barcode!
Keep spreading the message about the Genocide Hotline!
Important stories from last week
Lots of new, interesting merchandise for sale
Nationwide events this week
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.
Please Scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter for details.
Four things you can do now for Palestine…
Share the new Harbour Bridge March poster (above) on your social media pages
Share the “Disrupt Complicity” poster (below) on your social media pages
If you are not going to join the Auckland Harbour Bridge March, share your local event for this weekend’s Global Day of Action for Gaza on your social media pages. Events are here on PSNA’s Facebook events page
Join Amnesty International’s “Let Children Live” campaign (see more details later in the newsletter)
Disrupt New Zealand government complicity with genocide
Disrupt complicity – Sanctions NOW!
Read the statement and suggestions and consider what action you feel would be manageable in your area.
PSNA congratulates Gemma New on withdrawing from apartheid Israeli concerts – a big win for BDS
5 September media release from PSNA:
Following the media release we issued yesterday – PSNA received confirmation early this morning that New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conductor Gemma New has pulled out of her concerts scheduled for Israel in January 2026 where she was to conduct the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.
The concerts are still on the IPO website but in response to a letter from PSNA last week, Gemma New has replied through a New York artists agency this morning:
Dear Mr. Nazzal,
Due to the current travel advisories from the United States to Israel, Ms. New has withdrawn from the engagement you reference. Her name may still appear on the orchestra’s website until such time as the institution appoints a replacement conductor, which is at their discretion and not within our control.
Her decision reflects official travel guidance and her responsibility to adhere to those parameters. She is a musician whose role is to make music and to travel in line with the advice of the relevant authorities.
We kindly ask that you not write further or engage with us or in any public forum on this matter.
All best,
Charlotte
Charlotte Lee
President and Founder
Primo Artists
New York
“We congratulate Ms New on her withdrawal from the concert series in apartheid Israel” says PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzzal. “After 23 months of mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza she has reconsidered her decision to go and we welcome that”
“The result is a significant win for the BDS movement to isolate apartheid Israel”
“New is joining artists and performers from all over the world who turn their backs on apartheid Israel”
“The ‘official travel guidance’ reason given by the agency for the concert withdrawal doesn’t stack up. It’s simply public relations spin to cover what was a dreadful decision to go in the first place”
“As we pointed out yesterday any performance in Israel would be seen as support for Israeli war crimes.”
“The IPO plays concerts with Israeli soldiers in full uniform and puts them on YouTube.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLjucRUyd4Y
“Music and performance in the apartheid state is tightly linked to the brutal oppression of Palestinians,’ says Nazzal. “It’s the same for every aspect of life for under an Israeli military occupation”.
Maher Nazzal
Co-Chair PSNA
And confirming another win for BDS - PB Tech confirms it has stopped stocking SodaStream
Sodastream retailer PB Tech is destocking Sodastream products – the current target of a Boycott, Divest and Sanctions campaign in Aotearoa.
Sodastream’s manufacture of carbonated water products was previously in the Occupied West Bank. Due to international pressure, it shifted and now it operates on stolen Bedouin land in the Negev in southern Israel.
PB Tech CEO Gary Bigwood states PB Tech had been looking at Sodastream’s sales’ performance in what is an essentially a technology focussed retailing company.
He writes that it was not selling well. So, BP Tech will no longer stock any carbonated water equipment at all.
Bigwood is keen to emphasise that the PB Tech decision was not due to any political pressure.
Assuming this statement is true, it does point to Sodastream’s vulnerability to our campaign.
As was the case with the Obela dips campaign last year, it was only a slight dip in sales performance, triggered by our highly active campaign, which led to the Israeli Strauss Group selling the brand off.
A retailer who doesn’t make much money out of stocking Sodastream in the first place, is not going to put up with having to spend extra on store security, selling Sodastream under the counter, and repackaging and destickering.
In the final analysis, it’s just as likely that the final decision to destock, will be made by the accountants, instead of the brand managers or the people they get in to write ethical policy guidelines to make a retailer look good.
Our current target is Noel Leeming. Get some stickers and get stickering!
Gaza negotiator the most dangerous job in the world? or is it journalists?
Israel’s bombing attack on Hamas negotiators in the Qatari capital Doha overnight highlights once again that Israel is not interested in peace – only total victory in its campaign to depopulate Gaza of Palestinians.
As soon as Hamas looks like it might agree to Israel terms, out come the Israeli hits on the negotiators.
The New Zealand government, a number of times in the months after October 7, called for a negotiated outcome.
It stopped making this call more than a year ago.
Other than the genocide in Gaza and spreading terror in the Occupied West Bank, since October 7 Israel has ‘brought peace and stability to the region’ by attacking; Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Malta and now Qatar.
Correction… we got it wrong!
In last week’s newsletter we pointed to October 7 2023 being potentially the only day, since the beginning of the Nakba in 1948, when the number of Israeli fatalities in a confrontation was greater than the number of Palestinians who died.
We were wrong. Normal transmission prevailed on October 7 as well. Estimates of the number of Palestinians who died on October 7 are at least 1,500.
Even counting in the Israelis who were killed by the IDF operation of the Hannibal Directive, to kill hostages rather than let them be taken to Gaza, the Israeli casualty list is fewer than 1200.
It is shocking, albeit utterly predictable, that the Palestinians killed are overlooked and never reported on.
But then, the western media and politicians will almost invariably default to believing it is the Israelis who are always the victims.
Muhammad Shehada invited to tour Aotearoa in November
Yousef Aljamal's friend Muhammad Shehada, and highly prominent advocate for Palestinian rights, is keen to visit Aotearoa in November for a speaking tour.
Muhammad is the expert who the global media experts call in to explain, and one of the very top commentators who understands how to handle the western audience.
https://www.newarab.com/author/67471/muhammad-shehada
If you would be interested in having him visit your centre for a speaking engagement(s), please contact secretary@psna.nz by 20 September.
Priority will be given to centres which missed out when Yousef visited back in June, but we’ll do our best to get him everywhere we can.
Some pics from smaller centres on the Global Day of Action last Saturday
We were delighted with the huge turnout across the country – particularly in smaller centres. Here are a few pics from some of them.
Featherston
Kerikeri
Takaka – Golden Bay
Takaka – Golden Bay
Takaka – Golden Bay
At the letter-writing hub - Takaka
Tauranga-Moana
Greymouth
Timaru – Caroline Bay in the background
Spain breaks with western government complicity with Israel’s genocide
It’s not our wish list but at least Spain has broken with Western complicity with genocide to sanction Israel. We have listed the key points below – here is how Middle East Eye reported it.
Spain announced nine measures against Israel:
➤ Arms Embargo
Ban on the sale of all types of weapons to Israel.
➤ Maritime Restrictions
Prohibition on ships carrying fuel destined for the Israeli army from passing through Spanish ports.
➤ Airspace Restrictions
Ban on the entry of aircraft transporting defensive materials to Israel through Spanish airspace.
➤ Entry Bans
Denial of entry into Spanish territory for individuals directly involved in genocide and war crimes.
➤ Settlement Products Ban
Prohibition on importing goods produced in Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.
➤ Consular Limitations
Restriction of Spanish consular services for citizens residing in illegal Israeli settlements.
➤ Support for the Palestinian Authority
Strengthening Spain’s diplomatic and financial support to the PA.
➤ Increased Contribution to UNRWA
Expanding Spain’s financial and logistical support for UNRWA’s operations.
➤ Enhanced Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
Boosting humanitarian assistance and cooperation programs directed at Gaza.
Amnesty International’s “Let Children Live” campaign
PNSA has joined this global movement led by Amnesty International to highlight the protection needed for 2.38 million Palestinian Tamariki.
Here is what the campaign involves and how you can be part of it this coming weekend:
Amnesty International has joined with Save the Children for a peaceful, global mobilisation to demand what should never be negotiable:
o Stop the killing, harming and starving of Palestinian tamariki
o Lift the blockade on Gaza
o End Israel’s unlawful occupation
You can help amplify these calls by visiting the Let the Children Live website where you can register and be assigned the first name and age of a living Palestinian tamariki – perhaps Samira (9), Omar (6), Leen (12), George (14), Nadine (3). This name becomes your responsibility.
Go to the link for more information.
As censure increases over war in Gaza Israel finds support among Pacific Islands
We have reported on this before in the newsletter. This story here updates the situation.
Quotes of the week
'I want Spanish society to know that, faced with one of the most infamous episodes of the 21st century, your country, Spain, was on the right side of history."
“63,000 dead, 159,000 wounded, 250,000 people at risk of acute malnutrition and nearly two million displaced, half of them children. This is not self-defence; it is extermination of a defenceless people and a flagrant breach of humanitarian law.”
- Pedro Sanchez; Prime Minister of Spain
________________
"The measures relating to the inhumane situation in Gaza and the West Bank, announced today by the President of the Spanish Government,
reflect the majority opinion of Spanish society and are adopted within the framework of its sovereignty and in line with its defence of peace, human rights and international law."
—Spanish Government Statement
A big win at Palmerston North City Council last week
Local activist group Thyme for Action put forward two resolutions to the Palmerston North City Council last week asking the council to support a ceasefire in Gaza and asking the council to change its procurement policy to exclude companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Both resolutions passed! Only 2 out of 15 councillors voted against the ethical procurement policy so a very solid win!
In the words of the local group: Success is due to solid grassroots organising with a great group of activists. The petition with market stalls etc, writing to all councillors and candidates, meeting with the Mayor and key councillors, regular reporting in the MSM + a great crowd in the gallery for the meeting.
The BDS win was reported in the media here.
SodaStream campaign
STICKER! STICKER! BARCODE! BARCODE!
(Stickering the barcode makes it difficult to scan these products for sale)
With the huge effort leading up to the National Day of Action there was less activity on SodaStream this week but get yourselves geared up for action in the next few weeks and remember when you take action, tell us your stories and send us your pics and videos for the PSNA Newsletter at sodastreamboycott@psna.nz
Remember the Noel Leeming stores are our first selected focus for the PSNA Swap out of Sodastream campaign.
Keep up with the campaign here:
https://www.instagram.com/stories/psna_otautahi/
https://www.instagram.com/psnaotearoa/
Websites: Check out the link to the campaign on https://www.psna.nz/bds
And at
https://bdsaotearoa.nz/economic-boycott/soda-stream
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMYbiKoTll4/
Petition:
https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/swap-out-sodastream
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
Asking your local backpacker accommodation to display the poster and draw it to the attention of any Israeli soldiers here on “rest and recreation” from the genocide.
Pasting the hotline poster (use the version in this newsletter which includes a contact email) around the vicinity of backpacker venues in your local area. This is already happening in some areas.
Hand out flyers to people in the vicinity of your local backpackers
Contact us on the hotline if you come across Israeli soldiers
Important stories from last week
Editor’s picks
Must see Must see: ABC TV Four Corners, “Gaza doctors under attack” here
Gaza’s Last Functioning Children’s Hospital here
Hamas to Trump: We Are Ready to Release All Israeli Captives in Comprehensive Ceasefire Deal here
The Voice of Hind Rajab review: Devastating film will break you here
Israel says it is opening “gates of Hell” as it demolishes high-rise in Gaza City, Hamas posts new video of Israeli captives as it calls on Trump to force a deal here
LEAKED: Israel Is Considered a "Genocidal, Apartheid Country" Abroad, According to Israel’s Own Research here
Ban Israel from the World Soccer Cup here
Other stories
Netanyahu eyes West Bank annexation as Palestine recognition grows, Trump holds final say here
Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems closes UK facility targeted by Palestine Action here
UN General Assembly moves to Geneva after US bars Palestinian delegation here
Tell the Italian, Spanish, and Irish football federations: demand Israel’s suspension from UEFA here
Exclusive: The 100-Word Ceasefire “Proposal” Trump Sent Hamas here
Kiwi on flotilla mission to Gaza here
Why Netanyahu Seeks to Confront Hezbollah After Gaza - Expansion and Occupation Over Peace here
Little hope of end to Gaza genocide on 700th day of war as ceasefire efforts falter here
They’re someone’s children here
How to stop Israel from starving Gaza here
Scotland makes a stand here
Annexation of the West Bank has always been Israel's plan here
Google’s $45 Million Contract With Netanyahu's Office to Spread Israeli Propaganda here
Merchandise for sale - please check with your local branch and/or contact us Merchandise@PSNA.nz
If your local branch does not have what you are after 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 large & medium ($10 or $7) and other items plus postage.
See more on the PSNA website here.
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 14 September 2025
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
Or Scroll down to the bottom of this Newsletter for the detailed list of events for this week.
There are more than 30 events around the Motu this week.
North Island
Rawene
Saturday September 13
No Event this weekend
Kerikeri - Rally
First Saturday of the Month
October 5
Whangarei
Saturday September 13
No event in Whangarei this Saturday
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 – Leafletting for the Harbour Bridge Hikoi
Wednesday September 10
12 Noon
Meet outside Auckland University Library, Alfred Street
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
This week – The Auckland Harbour Bridge Crossing
9:30 am
Onepoto Domain, Northcote
Join the team – text Rhona on 021 035 8617
Auckland –March the Bridge
Hosted by Aotearoa for Palestine
Saturday September 13
9:30 am
Onepoto Domain, Northcote
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122102389178995966
Thames – Vigil to Stop the war on Children
(Hosted by Voices for Palestine - Hauraki)
First Saturday of the month Saturday 5 October
Tauranga – Flag Wave – Sanction Israel Now!
Sunday 14 September
11:00 am
Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui
Hamilton – Sanction Israel Now!
Every Saturday
1:00 pm
Flynn Park, Cnr Wairere Drive & Naylor, Hamilton
Raglan – Silent Vigil for Palestine
Hosted by Whaingaroa Palestine Solidarity
No event notified for this weekend
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
Gisborne
Saturday September 13
No Rally notified for this weekend
Napier – Rally for Palestine
Every Saturday
11:30 am
Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Hastings – Rally for Palestine
Every Sunday
1:30 – 3:00 pm
Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
Palmerston North - Global Day of Action
Every Sunday
2:00 pm
The Square, Palmerston North
Ngāmotu-New Plymouth
(Hosted by Palestinian Solidarity Taranaki)
Saturday September 13
No Rally this week
Ngāmotu-New Plymouth – the Doctors Wife
Sunday 14 September
3:00 pm
The 4th Wall, 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
Friday October 4
Wellington - Hill Street bridge Takeover
Saturday September 13
1:00 pm
Meet at Parliament grounds and Hikoī to Hill Street bridge
South Island
Nelson
Saturday September 13
Please refer to Facebook page
Picton / Blenheim - Global Day of Action
Every Saturday
10:30 – 12:00 am
Blenheim Railway Station
Picton
Joined with the Rally in Blenheim from now on
Greymouth - Te Tai Poutini - West Coast
Saturday 13 September
No event this weekend
Christchurch – Flags for Palestine
Every Friday
4:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Christchurch – Sanction Israel Now!
Saturday September 13
12:30 pm - Flag Waving before the rally - Durham Street side of the bridge
1:00 pm
Bridge of Remembrance, Christchurch
Timaru
Saturday September 13
No Event this weekend
Dunedin
Saturday September 13
1:00 pm
No Rally this week
Dunedin - Panels for Palestine II: When Civil Society Fails
Tuesday 16 September
12:00 – 1:00pm
Room 7.N.10, Richardson Building, University of Otago
https://www.facebook.com/events/4059791580927803
Invercargill - Sanction Israel Now Penny Simmonds!
(hosted by Invercargill Stands With Palestine)
Sunday September 14
1:00 pm
22 Kelvin Street, Invercargill
Invercargill - vote at Environment Southland council
Wednesday September 17
10.30 am
Corner of North Rd & Price St, Waikiwi
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)