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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Richard Gardiner signed 2023-11-13 10:04:37 +1300
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steve hodge signed 2023-11-13 10:04:34 +1300Very disapointed to see conservative commentators who have been telling us how important it is to uphold free speech now trying to stop any such speech if it disagrees with the Israeli regime. Shameful stuff.
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Techo Bale signed 2023-11-13 10:04:01 +1300
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Sian Jones signed 2023-11-13 10:03:59 +1300
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Steve Hughes signed 2023-11-13 10:03:37 +1300
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Jae Williams signed 2023-11-13 10:02:21 +1300
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Norm Morgan signed 2023-11-13 10:02:17 +1300
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Stewart Rathgen signed 2023-11-13 10:02:07 +1300
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Gregor Casey signed 2023-11-13 10:02:01 +1300
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Andrea Davies signed 2023-11-13 10:01:54 +1300
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Mark Broomhead signed 2023-11-13 10:01:21 +1300
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Graham Dyce signed 2023-11-13 10:01:17 +1300
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Grant Hartley signed 2023-11-13 10:01:01 +1300
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Hayley Brown signed 2023-11-13 10:00:31 +1300
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Miriam Rutherford-van Gisbergen signed 2023-11-13 10:00:27 +1300As I understand it the conflict is Hamas vs Israel not Israel vs Palestinians
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Jason Li signed 2023-11-13 10:00:15 +1300We need to seriously think about why none of their Arabic neighbour countries is willing to accept a single Palestine refugee, and what is happening all around the World after all western countries received many of them.
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Godfrey King signed 2023-11-13 10:00:02 +1300
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Alan Caughley signed 2023-11-13 09:59:49 +1300
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Les Stewart signed 2023-11-13 09:59:22 +1300
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Jared Connon signed 2023-11-13 09:59:15 +1300
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Michele ashby signed 2023-11-13 09:59:02 +1300
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Rodney Shepherd signed 2023-11-13 09:59:02 +1300
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Barbara Goldstone signed 2023-11-13 09:58:51 +1300
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Steve O'Hagan signed 2023-11-13 09:58:45 +1300
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Janelle Taylor signed 2023-11-13 09:58:17 +1300
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Bryan Leyland signed 2023-11-13 09:58:13 +1300
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Mikey Readman signed 2023-11-13 09:58:07 +1300
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Joy Allen signed 2023-11-13 09:58:03 +1300
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John Greenwood signed 2023-11-13 09:57:48 +1300
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Ken Grace signed 2023-11-13 09:57:36 +1300