Help reverse voting at the United Nations
PSNA has written to the diplomatic representatives of countries in Wellington who last year voted against a demand that Israel withdraw from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.
Argentina, Hungary, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Tonga, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau, sided with Israel, and against 124 counties (including New Zealand) who voted for the resolution.
Of the other Pasifika countries represented in Wellington, Samoa, Kiribati, and Vanuatu abstained, though Vanuatu was one of 79 country signatories to a declaration in support of the International Criminal Court when the US and Israel questioned its jurisdiction. Vanuatu also made a submission to the International Court of Justice in May 2025.
The General Assembly will meet again next month and will consider Israel’s total failure to comply.
In Gaza, the genocidal carnage continues - Israeli troops are now reinvading Gaza City to ethnically cleanse nearly a million people and Israeli aircraft are still terror bombing what is now listed officially as a famine-devastated community in the Gaza Governate.
In the Occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers are freely shooting and lynching Palestinians. Israel’s Knesset has just voted to annex the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced plans for building E1, a settlement strategically designed to sever the West Bank irreparably into two parts.
Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu has just revived proposals for a Greater Israel. That would entail an Israeli invasion of all of Israel’s neighbours and the extinction of at least Lebanon and Jordan, and most of Syria, all of who in Israel’s eyes have no right to exist.
We have pointed to all the diplomatic posts that their governments are signatories to the IV Geneva Convention, and in the case of Argentina, Hungary, Fiji, Tuvalu, and Nauru, to also being signatories of the Genocide Convention.
Of course, Israel is doing its best to make sure it gets the same voting result next month; https://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2025/08/israel-announces-official-visit-to-pacific-region-to-broaden-partnerships/
Israel, and its backer the United States, have successfully targeted, bullied, and used religion to manipulate Pacific countries to side with Israel.
Only four countries have followed the United States and relocated their embassies in Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, a de facto recognition of the Occupation. One of those four is Papua New Guinea. Fiji plans to join them, along with Argentina.
It would be great if PSNA supporters individually also wrote to these High Commissioners and Consuls to counter the Israeli propaganda and pressure. Likewise other Palestine support organisations throughout Aotearoa could also write.
See below a representative letter PSNA has sent to Argentina, as a model letter. Please copy and paste text into your email, and feel free to add your own arguments.
First check whether the country voted against Palestine 2024 or abstained, and whether they are parties to the Genocide Convention.
Below that are the contact details for the NZ based Embassies, High Commissioners and Consuls, their 2024 UNGA votes, and if they are signatories to the Genocide Convention;
Subject line: Concern for the escalating crisis for the Palestinian people in Gaza
Argentina
Emailenzel@mrecic.gov.ar
Head of Mission Her Excellency Ms Maria Belen Bogado
Dear Ms Bogado
We write to you out of deep concern for the escalating crisis for the Palestinian people in Gaza under a relentless campaign by Israel of genocide through military attacks, starvation, and ethnic cleansing.
We wish to remind you of the emergency session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on 17 September 2024. The meeting adopted a resolution, by 124 votes in favour, 43 abstentions and 14 against, demanding that Israel end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) within 12 months.
This resolution followed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issuing an Advisory Opinion in July 2024 that the Israeli occupation was unlawful.
The UNGA resolution also required Israel to;
Cease all new settlement activities.
Evacuate all settlers from occupied land.
Dismantle parts of the separation wall constructed in the West Bank.
Return land and cultural property taken since the occupation began in 1967.
It was most disappointing to see that Argentina was one of 14 votes against the resolution.
We are also disappointed that Argentina plans to move its embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, to join the embassies of only four other countries there.
Theses stands by Argentina are obstacles to the achievement of Palestinian rights which have been denied for 77 years.
Heeding diplomatic positions such as these, the response of Israel, to the ICJ advisory, the UNGA vote last year and worldwide government objections and civil protests, has been to ignore them.
In the Occupied West Bank, settlers are shooting and lynching Palestinians. Israel’s Knesset has just voted to annex the West Bank, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced plans for E1, a settlement strategically designed to sever the West Bank irreparably into two parts.
In Gaza, Israeli troops are now reinvading Gaza City to ethnically cleanse nearly a million people, and Israeli aircraft are still terror bombing what is now officially defined as IPC Phase 5, a famine devastated community, in the Gaza Governorate. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/famine-confirmed-in-gaza-city-for-first-time-un-backed-report-says/ar-AA1L0Cyj?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu has just revived proposals for a Greater Israel. That would entail an invasion of all of Israel’s neighbours and the extinction of at least Lebanon and Jordan. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/netanyahu-embraces-greater-israel-vision-including-parts-jordan-and-egypt
Within the context of the desirability for smaller countries of upholding a rules-based international order, Argentina is a state party to the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, and its additional protocols.
Argentina is also a party to the Genocide Convention.
These instruments mandate Argentina, and all other state parties, to take steps to ensure international compliance with the GCIV.
Our request is that therefore Argentina reverses its vote and stands in vigorous support of Palestinian rights in the upcoming 80th regular session of the General Assembly in New York in September.
This is not the time for further acquiescence to Israeli genocide. It is the time for concerted international action, to materially assist in alleviating a further catastrophe for the Palestinian people.
<your name>
<your location - eg Tamaki Makaurau>
Argentina Against signatory to the Genocide Convention Plans to move its embassy to Jerusalem
lenzel@mrecic.gov.ar
Head of Mission Her Excellency Ms Maria Belen Bogado
Vote 2024 Abstain
High Commission of the Republic of Vanuatu
vhcwellington@vanuatu.gov.vu
His Excellency Mr Jimmy Nipo
Vote 2024 Abstain
Kiribati's Consulate
ben.otang@gmail.com
Mr Ben Otang, Honorary Consul
Vote 2024 Abstain
High Commission for the Independent State of Samoa
info@samoa.org.nz
His Excellency Mr Afamasaga Faamatalaupu Toleafoa
Vote 2024 Against signatory to the Genocide Convention Its embassy is in Jerusalem
High Commission of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Contact details
office@png.org.nz
His Excellency Mr Sakias Tameo
Vote 2024 Against
High Commission of the Republic of Nauru
nauru.highcomm@canberra.gov.nr
Her Excellency Mrs Camilla Solomon
Vote 2024 Against
High Commission for Tuvalu
info@tuvaluhc.org.nz
His Excellency Mr Feue Tipu
Vote 2024 Against signatory to the Genocide Convention
Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga
saho@xtra.co.nz
Mr Lenisiloti Sitafooti Aho
Vote 2024 Against signatory to the Genocide Convention Plans to move its embassy to Jerusalem
High Commission for the Republic of Fiji
lviti.fhc@gmail.com
Ratu Inoke Kubuabola
Vote 2024 Against signatory to the Genocide Convention
Hungary
mission.wlg@mfa.gov.hu
Head of Mission His Excellency Dr Gabor Nagy, Ambassador