The chair of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says New Zealand needs to stand up for peace and justice in the Middle East.
John Minto says Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is using war to stay in power.
New Zealand is silent at provocations like the assassination of leaders and diplomats in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Iran but quick to condemn anyone who retaliates to that provocation.
“It’s a dreadful double standard that New Zealand is following other western countries and it’s all very well for our foreign minister to say we want all countries to pull back. The country that’s not pulling back, the country which is trying to widen the war is Israel but New Zealand will not condemn any of the actions Israel has taken which have been designed to provoke this wider war,” Mr Minto says.
Meanwhile, Justice for Palestine and Alternative Jewish Voices are planning a rally and march in Wellington on Sunday to launch a new campaign targeting financial institutions that are seen to be supporting Israel’s illegal activities.
