The 7th of November marked one month since an attack on Israel reignited bloody conflict in Gaza. This ongoing and devastating situation has continued to fuel intense emotions overseas and in New Zealand.
The cause is complex, and so is knowing the appropriate response.
We do not pretend to have the perfect answer.
But no matter which side we are on, if we strike at the basic democratic principles in our outrage, we will all be poorer.
One side can’t have the right to have their say without the other receiving the same. The opportunity to listen and provide counter-speech must exist, otherwise this wouldn’t be a democracy.
Would you sign this public letter, regardless of which side you come from on this issue, working with us to preserve open debate and civil discourse?
Together, we sign this letter whilst disagreeing on many things.
We disagree about a way forward in the Middle East, and we disagree about much to do with the Arab-Israeli conflict.
We all agree, however, on the basic principles of democracy and are united against violence.
We are appalled that a Member of Parliament required Police protection to leave a protest in Auckland Domain because he expressed an unpopular opinion. We condemn intimidation, violence, and intolerance.
We are saddened by the unprecedented levels of both antisemitic and Islamophobic actions occurring around New Zealand associated with events overseas. Our common desire is that New Zealand would be a peaceful and free nation, where all people can speak freely and share their story.
We encourage all New Zealanders to use their voices to call out intolerance and hate, and to speak up for peace.
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Belinda Goldfinch signed 2024-04-22 11:14:01 +1200 -
Nicola Moore signed 2024-04-17 08:37:45 +1200
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Toni Laurie signed 2024-04-12 00:30:41 +1200
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Reg KIdd signed 2024-03-31 13:59:16 +1300
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Chimene Del La Varis signed 2024-03-29 20:35:49 +1300
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Marg Burt signed 2024-03-28 14:28:09 +1300
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Caroline Houghton-Brown signed 2024-03-25 18:47:02 +1300
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Emma Fale signed 2024-03-24 22:45:23 +1300This is a very complex war and we often don’t understand it culturally or from a religious viewpoint. We must consider the perspectives of both sides and allow others to have a voice for both sides. It is not our war.
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Chris Howden signed 2024-03-21 19:21:33 +1300
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Peter Scott signed 2024-03-20 09:03:14 +1300The terrorists who planned and committed the atrocities on the 7 October need to be brought to justice.
The UN and main stream media need to stop supporting terrorist like Hamas. -
Deborah Botica signed 2024-03-18 11:14:45 +1300
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Glenn Jackson signed 2024-03-13 14:48:57 +1300There is a lot of misinformation out there and this needs to be challenged. The events of the October attack by Hamas have been described as some of the most appalling acts of hate and violence ever seen. Israel is at war and there can be no half measures. You don’t stop halfway through a war you are winning to give your enemy a chance to regroup. Imagine if the allies had done this in the second world war and allowed Nazi Germany to regroup. The simple fact now is if Hamas releases the hostages then there will be a ceasefire and humanitarian aid can be delivered. The ball is in Hamas court.
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tania phoenix signed 2024-03-12 21:15:18 +1300I am concerned at the rise in Anti Semitism
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Kay Huggins signed 2024-03-12 20:12:57 +1300
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Kyle Smith signed 2024-03-12 17:20:14 +1300
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Andrew Robinson signed 2024-03-11 11:29:19 +1300
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Sarah Meyer signed 2024-03-10 18:03:08 +1300
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Mogens Petersen signed 2024-03-09 08:23:51 +1300
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Simon Wood signed 2024-03-06 16:43:36 +1300Tragedy piles upon tragedy in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, etc…all the while the 1% power elite share portfolio’s are booming from their Military Industrial Complex stocks going through the roof…the 1% pyscho’s are laughing all the way to the bank.
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Susan Holt signed 2024-03-06 11:35:27 +1300
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Kenny Pee signed 2024-03-06 11:02:02 +1300
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Jane Roper signed 2024-03-06 07:05:44 +1300
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Andrew Parsonson signed 2024-03-06 06:40:58 +1300
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Lewis Vaughan signed 2024-03-05 15:28:00 +1300
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Tim Appleton signed 2024-03-05 07:22:17 +1300
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Fir McGrevy-Gilmore signed 2024-03-03 08:10:18 +1300
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Murray Cameron signed 2024-03-02 08:08:29 +1300
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Deborah Booth signed 2024-02-27 21:07:57 +1300
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Andrea Plumpton signed 2024-02-27 17:20:59 +1300
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Carol Watkins signed 2024-02-27 15:33:03 +1300Everyone has a right to state their opinions, without which we would be like Russia or Hitler’s Germany. Let the people speak, they have that right.