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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Mogens Petersen signed 2024-03-09 08:23:51 +1300 -
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.
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Carol Brooks signed 2024-02-27 14:26:29 +1300
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Graeme Frethey signed 2024-02-27 14:22:24 +1300
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scott payne signed 2024-02-27 13:08:17 +1300Open fare discussions are the only way to try and understand where this conflict sits.
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Chas Thorburn signed 2024-02-27 12:43:08 +1300
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Wendy Cooper signed 2024-02-27 12:01:00 +1300
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Mark David Williamson signed 2024-02-27 11:27:08 +1300
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Leonie Ireland signed 2024-02-27 11:08:00 +1300
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Peter Haward signed 2024-02-22 08:54:57 +1300
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Deborah Henderson signed 2024-02-19 15:44:49 +1300
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Richard Eltringham signed 2024-02-17 23:44:34 +1300
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Matt Davey signed 2024-02-17 12:04:40 +1300
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Chris Penniall signed 2024-02-15 19:32:50 +1300
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Aaron Dixon signed 2024-02-15 18:01:38 +1300
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Willem Bosman signed 2024-02-15 13:52:47 +1300
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Ross McPherson signed 2024-02-14 15:51:11 +1300
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Catherine Palmer signed 2024-02-14 15:44:36 +1300
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Jacqueline Green signed 2024-02-12 05:53:02 +1300