Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)
Nationwide rallies this weekend will be calling for the government to suspend entry to New Zealand from soldiers in the Israeli Defence Forces.
“New Zealand should not be providing rest and recreation for Israeli soldiers fresh from the genocide in Gaza”, says PSNA National Chair John Minto. “We wouldn’t allow Russian soldiers to come here for rest and recreation from the invasion of Ukraine so why would we accept soldiers from the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel?”
As well as the working holiday visa, since 2019 Israelis can enter New Zealand for three months without needing a visa at all. This visa-waiver is used by Israeli soldiers for “rest and recreation” from the genocide in Gaza.
Israeli Defence Forces actions have resulted in at least 47,000 Palestinians killed – 70% of whom are women and children.
The International Court of Justice has declared Israeli actions a “plausible genocide” Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have used the terms genocide and extermination which the latest report from United Nations Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, is entitled “Genocide as colonial erasure”.
Meanwhile the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
All these red flags for genocide have been visible for months but the government is still giving the green light to those involved in war crimes to enter New Zealand.
PSNA has written to the government again in December asking for the suspension of travel to New Zealand for all Israeli soldiers and reservists.
New Zealand has signed the Genocide convention which requires us to prevent and punish the crime of genocide. The government is complicit with its silence.
It’s long past the time for the government to step up.
John Minto
National Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa