August 01, 2018
Bible guide for Gaza policy
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand is continuing to back a two state solution in Israel despite deteriorating conditions on the ground.
New Zealand trade unionist Mike Treen has been detained by Israel after attempting to reach Gaza on a ship carrying medical supplies.
Mr Peters says the New Zealand embassy in Ankara and its consular services in Israel are working on the case, but New Zealanders are warned such blockade-busting protests will lead to arrest.
He rejected comparisons between the Maori experience of colonialism and that of the Palestinians.
"If you are talking to a Maori who understands the Bible they would argue other people have rights there as well such as the Jews and so that is why we have always argued for a two state solution. You've got to go back to the Old Testament and the New Testament and follow how things happened back then. So have people got rights? Yes they probably both have serious rights there," Mr Peters says.
He described the situation in Gaza as an ongoing tragedy.
Unite Union says Mr Treen was tasered repeatedly by Israeli Occupation Forces while in the wheelhouse of the Al Awda and subsequently received injuries to his face and head.
Mr Treen reported from Givon prison that one of his fellow flotilla members one was tasered in the head, a 69 year old female surgeon received a head injury and a senior
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com