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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Denise Hart signed 2023-11-13 10:30:56 +1300
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Anita Gude signed 2023-11-13 10:30:12 +1300
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leon vermeulen signed 2023-11-13 10:30:09 +1300
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Ritchie Goodall signed 2023-11-13 10:30:09 +1300
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Ken Magill signed 2023-11-13 10:29:58 +1300
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Johan Nel signed 2023-11-13 10:29:49 +1300
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Renate van Eckert signed 2023-11-13 10:29:42 +1300
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E. Ann O'Brien signed 2023-11-13 10:29:23 +1300
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Janet Leonard signed 2023-11-13 10:29:20 +1300
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Cheryl Simes signed 2023-11-13 10:27:58 +1300
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Robert Fredericksen signed 2023-11-13 10:27:57 +1300
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Peter Simpson signed 2023-11-13 10:27:47 +1300
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Chris Collins signed 2023-11-13 10:27:41 +1300
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Maurice Carthew signed 2023-11-13 10:27:22 +1300
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Michael Webster signed 2023-11-13 10:27:16 +1300
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Rachel Ching signed 2023-11-13 10:26:17 +1300
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Helen Shae signed 2023-11-13 10:26:08 +1300
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Mauroce Hooper signed 2023-11-13 10:26:06 +1300
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Nancy Donald signed 2023-11-13 10:25:53 +1300
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Paul Fieldman signed 2023-11-13 10:25:48 +1300
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Richard Hammond signed 2023-11-13 10:25:39 +1300
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Patrick Doherty signed 2023-11-13 10:24:46 +1300
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Jane Shearer signed 2023-11-13 10:24:38 +1300
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Jenny and John Marchbanks signed 2023-11-13 10:24:22 +1300
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Thomas ORourke signed 2023-11-13 10:24:16 +1300
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Gary Cope signed 2023-11-13 10:23:48 +1300I am a strong believer in free speech, but it should never include incitement to violence. I am not Jewish but I stand 100% behind Israel
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John Gibb signed 2023-11-13 10:23:39 +1300
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Peter Adams signed 2023-11-13 10:23:29 +1300
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Lynne Pettit signed 2023-11-13 10:23:27 +1300
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Guilherme da Silva Vilhena signed 2023-11-13 10:23:15 +1300