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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Robert McLean signed 2024-01-23 17:09:25 +1300 -
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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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
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Jan McLauchlan signed 2024-01-09 16:03:50 +1300
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Leonie Heath signed 2024-01-09 08:42:47 +1300
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Sue Carnegie-Harding signed 2023-12-26 08:15:55 +1300
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Karena Hita signed 2023-12-20 19:06:46 +1300
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Mark McLeod signed 2023-12-20 11:03:48 +1300
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Cherie Hazlewood signed 2023-12-19 17:26:58 +1300
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maria van dien signed 2023-12-18 20:31:12 +1300
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Keryn Dunn signed 2023-12-18 19:47:52 +1300
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Philip Dashfield signed 2023-12-18 10:00:37 +1300
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Melinda Warner signed 2023-12-18 08:47:16 +1300
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Bruce Judd signed 2023-12-17 17:43:38 +1300Stuff together with other media outlets in New Zealand have suppressed free speech for years in this country, doubling down over the covid years to what became blatant Government propaganda and outright lies. As for the NZ Police performance on Parliament grounds last year, that was a copybook display of the Nazi goon squads in Police uniforms bashing and maiming innocent New Zealanders for not taking a poisonous jab that the Government commanded every one to take. (It is now on public record that it has now killed over 10,000 people in NZ so far) Don’t forget that the Government bribed the MSM with over $50,000 to publish the party line and HIDE the true facts.
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Nick Barclay signed 2023-12-17 15:46:06 +1300
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Mary Simpson signed 2023-12-11 17:36:47 +1300
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Geoff Neal signed 2023-12-11 10:54:45 +1300
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Joan Cole signed 2023-12-07 16:57:26 +1300
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Paul Cromb signed 2023-12-07 07:55:21 +1300
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Diana Williams signed 2023-12-05 03:25:21 +1300
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Bernard Kriel signed 2023-12-03 22:08:49 +1300People should be allowed to express any vile opinion they might have, but not to accompany it with threats, harassment, or assault – that is not the Kiwi way. We are at serious risk of losing our identity as a people we’ve worked so hard to foster over the last centuries, if we continue to allow the impulsive and immature in heart and thought to usurp the dictum of order and governance.
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Samantha young signed 2023-12-03 20:46:36 +1300Look I completely agree I can’t assume to know the actual details that has reignited this terrible time in the middle east. I know the struggles of the past throughout those beautiful and indignant countries have been contemptuous throughout the ages but as s/media and technology and international intervention add to and take from the issues of yesteryear I think it’s increasingly Important to speak up. Thank you
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Richard Ellis signed 2023-12-03 18:46:38 +1300
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Alice Volans signed 2023-12-03 14:27:00 +1300