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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Graham Peters signed 2023-11-13 13:29:22 +1300 -
Trevor Fredericksen signed 2023-11-13 13:29:03 +1300
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Jared Ayton signed 2023-11-13 13:26:51 +1300
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Anna Bailey signed 2023-11-13 13:25:18 +1300
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Mckeagg John signed 2023-11-13 13:23:57 +1300
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Tony Georgetti signed 2023-11-13 13:22:49 +1300
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Alan Williams signed 2023-11-13 13:22:49 +1300
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Stephen Thoms signed 2023-11-13 13:20:33 +1300
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Richard Rawles signed 2023-11-13 13:19:11 +1300
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Maryanne Richards signed 2023-11-13 13:18:24 +1300One wonders if any speech is free: or does it come from the background of culture, experience, ideas and ideals like religion and nationalism, from the past and being conditioned by them. If we can see that thought emerges from that conditioning we can see that thought is a process particular to all and we are conditioned each of us to a personal point of view and it ends up being just an opinion. The stronger the views the more radical we can become. Truth gets lost in the struggle to get our views across. Becoming aware of this is the only way out.
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Lilia Sevillano signed 2023-11-13 13:15:14 +1300
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Jonathan Marxen signed 2023-11-13 13:15:10 +1300I am in here to support you Jon & the team, have a Good Heart (of flesh) .
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Mario Franzoni signed 2023-11-13 13:14:04 +1300
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Bruce McKenzie signed 2023-11-13 13:13:37 +1300Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
Afghan Taliban.
Al-Nusrah Front.
Al-Shabaab.
Ansar al-Sharia.
Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM)
Al-Qa’ida Core (AQ)
Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian. Peninsula (AQAP)
Hamas.
Good luck talking about “freedom, peace, sharing, free speech, debate, civil discourse, western values, democracy” with this lot! -
Ken Maclaren signed 2023-11-13 13:12:23 +1300
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Leigh Parmentier signed 2023-11-13 13:11:42 +1300
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David Fornusek signed 2023-11-13 13:11:30 +1300
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Roy Menzies signed 2023-11-13 13:09:57 +1300
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Michael Christopher Goodall signed 2023-11-13 13:09:47 +1300
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Vivien Gallie signed 2023-11-13 13:09:35 +1300
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Kenneth Spall signed 2023-11-13 13:09:33 +1300
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Michael Brathwaite signed 2023-11-13 13:08:50 +1300
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Graeme Reeves signed 2023-11-13 13:05:48 +1300
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Peter Hind signed 2023-11-13 13:05:47 +1300
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Lynise Jones signed 2023-11-13 13:03:54 +1300
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Lucas Keen signed 2023-11-13 13:03:53 +1300
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John Richardson signed 2023-11-13 13:03:18 +1300
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Debra Bird signed 2023-11-13 13:02:05 +1300
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Karen Mason signed 2023-11-13 13:00:22 +1300
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Mick Wilson signed 2023-11-13 12:56:46 +1300