Latest news with #MaherNazzal
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Israeli ‘Nine Truck Photo-Op' Doesn't Slow Gaza Genocide
The Israeli government approved nine truck aid convoy into Gaza is a cynical photo-op, according to the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. PSNA says the trucks are designed to appease and confuse both western news media and critics of Israeli genocide in Gaza. PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal says the Israeli Prime Minister is openly reported in the Israeli media that leading backers of Israel in the United States are concerned that blocking food and other supplies entering Gaza is not a good look. 'These American politicians completely back Israeli war crimes of genocide and ethnic cleansing, but they worry that US and UK war supplies for Israel are in jeopardy if it looks like Israel is starving an entire civilian population to death.' 'The UN estimated that 600 trucks a day are required for minimum food, medicine and fuel supply. This was before Israel destroyed food production in Gaza itself. Nine truckloads – even if a few more follow – will make no difference.' Nazzal says the images of trucks entering Gaza will dominate what he describes as obedient media coverage. 'The indications are that Israel is escalating the military onslaught on Gaza to unprecedented ferocity.' 'Israel has wreaked nearly every building in the Gaza Strip. This new phase is to kill and drive the population of more than two million Palestinians, men, women and children, either onto tiny reservations in Gaza or into Africa. This is happening in full view of the world.' 'Leading international genocide scholars have just announced that Israel is conducting genocide. There are no ifs and buts about their conclusion.' 'We just hope that our Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, has been briefed on the most recent of Israeli war crimes and intentions.' 'He's scheduled to visit a number of South Asian countries next week. He'll be needing to end his silence on Israeli atrocities in Gaza and be able to tell foreign leaders what specific steps New Zealand is taking to help bring Israel to heel.'
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Commemorating 77 Years Of The Palestinian Nakba: A Call For Justice, Memory, And Solidarity
On 15 May 2025, Palestinians and their allies around the world mark Nakba Day, commemorating 77 years since the catastrophic displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians from their homes in 1948. Known as al-Nakba, or 'the Catastrophe,' this moment in history saw the systematic destruction of Palestinian villages, towns, and society — a tragedy whose consequences are still being felt today. For Palestinians, the Nakba is not confined to history books; it is a lived and ongoing reality. Millions remain refugees and exiles, denied their internationally recognised right of return, while those in the occupied Palestinian territories and within historic Palestine continue to endure military occupation, siege, and systematic oppression. "Nakba Day is a solemn reminder of both the injustice that befell the Palestinian people in 1948 and the ongoing violations of their rights to this day," said Maher Nazzal, spokesperson for the Palestine Forum of New Zealand. "It is a call to the international community — including here in Aotearoa — to stand with Palestinians in their struggle for freedom, justice, and self-determination." This year's commemoration comes amid intensified violence in Gaza, relentless settlement expansion in the West Bank, and a growing humanitarian catastrophe. The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on the New Zealand government to uphold its moral and legal responsibilities by advocating for an end to the occupation, supporting the right of return for refugees, and taking decisive action against ongoing violations of international law. "The Nakba is not a chapter of the past — it is a continuing story of dispossession and resistance," Nazzal added. "We urge all people of conscience to honour the memory of the Nakba by standing in solidarity with Palestine today."
Scoop
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Aotearoa New Zealand Stands In Solidarity: Keffiyeh Day, May 11, 2025 Announced
Communities across Aotearoa New Zealand are coming together to mark Keffiyeh Day on May 11, 2025 — a day of solidarity, cultural pride, and resistance in support of the Palestinian people. On this day, people from all walks of life are encouraged to wear the iconic Palestinian keffiyeh (scarf) — a symbol of resilience, identity, and resistance — to raise awareness about the ongoing struggle for justice and human rights in Palestine. Keffiyeh Day is more than a cultural celebration; it is a powerful statement of unity. In workplaces, schools, universities, and public spaces, New Zealanders will proudly don the keffiyeh to amplify Palestinian voices and stand against oppression and injustice. 'The keffiyeh has become a global emblem of solidarity. In wearing it, we honour Palestinian heritage and reaffirm our collective commitment to justice, freedom, and dignity for all,' said Maher Nazzal, chair of the Palestine Forum of New Zealand. Events on the Day Include: Community gatherings and photo calls Workplace and campus solidarity actions Educational workshops and cultural displays A nationwide social media campaign using the hashtag #KeffiyehDayNZ Organized by the Palestine Forum of New Zealand, Keffiyeh Day is part of a growing global movement to keep Palestine visible on the international stage and ensure that Palestinian narratives continue to be heard. We warmly invite individuals, community groups, organizations, and public figures across Aotearoa to participate in Keffiyeh Day 2025 and show their solidarity.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
New Zealand ‘Nowhere To Be Seen – Again' – On Intensifying Gaza Genocide
Press Release – Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa The ICJs ongoing investigation into Israeli genocide in Gaza is now considering the illegality of Israel cutting off all food, water, fuel, medicine and other essential aid entering Gaza since early March. The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is demanding the New Zealand government justify its absence from submitters to the International Court of Justice hearings at the Hague into Israel blocking vital supplies entering Gaza. The ICJ's ongoing investigation into Israeli genocide in Gaza is now considering the illegality of Israel cutting off all food, water, fuel, medicine and other essential aid entering Gaza since early March. Countries submitting include the UK, Spain, Belgium and Malaysia. New Zealand is not on the list for making a submission. PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal says the New Zealand government has gone completely silent on Israeli atrocities in Gaza. 'A year ago, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were making statements about how Israel must comply with international law.' 'They carefully avoided blaming Israel for doing anything wrong, but they issued strong warnings, such as telling Israel that it should not attack the city of Rafah.' 'Israel then bombed Rafah flat. The New Zealand response was to go completely silent. 'Israeli ministers are quite open about driving Palestinians out of Gaza, so Israel can build Israeli settlements there. And they are just as open about using starvation as a weapon.' 'Our government says and does nothing. Chris Luxon had nothing to say about Gaza when he met British Prime Minister Keir Stamer in London earlier in the month. Yet Israel is perpetuating the holocaust of the 21st Century under the noses of both Prime Ministers.' Maher Nazzal says that it is deeply disappointing that a nation which so proudly invokes its history of standing against apartheid and of championing nuclear disarmament, chooses to not even appear on the sidelines of the ICJ's legal considerations. 'New Zealand cannot claim to stand for a rules-based international order while selectively avoiding the rules when it comes to Palestine.' 'We want the New Zealand government to urgently explain to the public its absence from the ICJ hearings. We need it to commit to participating in all future international legal processes to uphold Palestinian rights, and fulfil its ICJ obligations to impose sanctions on Israel to force its withdrawal from the Palestinian Occupied Territory.' 'If even small countries, such as Vanuatu, can commit their meagre resources to go to make a case to the ICJ, then surely our government can at the very least do the same.' See here for the official list of countries and other organisations submitting to the ICJ
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
New Zealand 'Nowhere To Be Seen - Again' - On Intensifying Gaza Genocide
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is demanding the New Zealand government justify its absence from submitters to the International Court of Justice hearings at the Hague into Israel blocking vital supplies entering Gaza. The ICJ's ongoing investigation into Israeli genocide in Gaza is now considering the illegality of Israel cutting off all food, water, fuel, medicine and other essential aid entering Gaza since early March. Countries submitting include the UK, Spain, Belgium and Malaysia. New Zealand is not on the list for making a submission. PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal says the New Zealand government has gone completely silent on Israeli atrocities in Gaza. 'A year ago, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were making statements about how Israel must comply with international law.' 'They carefully avoided blaming Israel for doing anything wrong, but they issued strong warnings, such as telling Israel that it should not attack the city of Rafah.' 'Israel then bombed Rafah flat. The New Zealand response was to go completely silent. 'Israeli ministers are quite open about driving Palestinians out of Gaza, so Israel can build Israeli settlements there. And they are just as open about using starvation as a weapon.' 'Our government says and does nothing. Chris Luxon had nothing to say about Gaza when he met British Prime Minister Keir Stamer in London earlier in the month. Yet Israel is perpetuating the holocaust of the 21st Century under the noses of both Prime Ministers.' Maher Nazzal says that it is deeply disappointing that a nation which so proudly invokes its history of standing against apartheid and of championing nuclear disarmament, chooses to not even appear on the sidelines of the ICJ's legal considerations. 'New Zealand cannot claim to stand for a rules-based international order while selectively avoiding the rules when it comes to Palestine.' 'We want the New Zealand government to urgently explain to the public its absence from the ICJ hearings. We need it to commit to participating in all future international legal processes to uphold Palestinian rights, and fulfil its ICJ obligations to impose sanctions on Israel to force its withdrawal from the Palestinian Occupied Territory.' 'If even small countries, such as Vanuatu, can commit their meagre resources to go to make a case to the ICJ, then surely our government can at the very least do the same.' See here for the official list of countries and other organisations submitting to the ICJ
