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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Mike Williams signed 2024-01-29 17:29:31 +1300Definitely see both sides of this. These days I’m always interested in who is paying for or who benefits from these actions. -
Brian Atkins signed 2024-01-29 14:57:46 +1300
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Charmaine Davis signed 2024-01-28 11:44:38 +1300
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Peter Thriscutt signed 2024-01-27 13:44:30 +1300
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Donald McKenzie signed 2024-01-27 11:29:52 +1300
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vivienne godkin signed 2024-01-27 09:25:08 +1300I will always support my right to speak out in an informed way about matters that interest and concern me. I do NOT support hurtful free speech or ideas that are not proven or untrue.
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Vic Alborn signed 2024-01-25 20:24:32 +1300
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Caleb Wylie signed 2024-01-25 08:37:09 +1300
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Rachel Gillespie signed 2024-01-24 16:57:06 +1300
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Bruce Ward signed 2024-01-24 16:50:22 +1300
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Graeme Eade signed 2024-01-24 15:39:05 +1300
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Roy Hobson signed 2024-01-24 12:46:17 +1300
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Craig Turney signed 2024-01-24 09:47:19 +1300
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Linda Bult signed 2024-01-23 23:57:52 +1300
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Annette Stewart signed 2024-01-23 23:09:22 +1300
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Cameron Murray signed 2024-01-23 22:27:31 +1300
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Erin Reeves-McMillan signed 2024-01-23 20:04:42 +1300We must ALL be free to protest and publicly express our views about political, social and cultural issues occurring in NZ and in countries that impact NZ.
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Carmit Goren signed 2024-01-23 19:54:04 +1300
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Paul Elliott signed 2024-01-23 19:24:39 +1300
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Ariella Rosenbaum signed 2024-01-23 17:59:23 +1300
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Robert Mclean signed 2024-01-23 17:09:25 +1300
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Oliver Ashmore signed 2024-01-23 16:51:37 +1300
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Susan Scott-Knight signed 2024-01-23 16:29:17 +1300
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Gwenda Hungerford signed 2024-01-23 16:19:29 +1300
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Lynnette Mellon signed 2024-01-23 16:05:16 +1300
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isuru mendis signed 2024-01-18 14:53:36 +1300We must preserve tolerance and peace in debate over Israel-Gaza conflict
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Anne O'Reilly signed 2024-01-18 12:56:34 +1300
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Gavin Harris signed 2024-01-15 16:11:12 +1300
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Louise McCarthy signed 2024-01-13 17:10:22 +1300Thank you for articulating a message of peaceful communication. Draw a line and move forward constructively.
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Robert McGowan signed 2024-01-12 06:45:34 +1300