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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Tim Burcher signed 2023-11-11 08:56:58 +1300 -
Hamish White signed 2023-11-11 08:56:43 +1300
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Jo Roffe signed 2023-11-11 08:56:27 +1300
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Graham Galbraith signed 2023-11-11 08:56:26 +1300
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leighton Duley signed 2023-11-11 08:55:54 +1300“An eye for an eye and the world goes blind” Ghandi.
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Ernest Blackmore signed 2023-11-11 08:55:54 +1300Conflict is likely to go on in the region for next 1,000 years.
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Sylvie Kerr signed 2023-11-11 08:55:38 +1300
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Tim Dickson signed 2023-11-11 08:55:38 +1300Member of Parliament or man on the street, the right to express an opinion no matter how unpopular must be protected, it’s up to individuals how they react to such, this is where accountability lies.
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Tim Bryant signed 2023-11-11 08:55:25 +1300
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Howard Verity signed 2023-11-11 08:55:01 +1300
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Dean Nugent signed 2023-11-11 08:54:45 +1300Formula for World Peace C + T = P (Cooperation plus Tolerance = Peace)
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Jason Milne signed 2023-11-11 08:54:35 +1300
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Patricia Woodman signed 2023-11-11 08:54:25 +1300
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Paul Lloyd signed 2023-11-11 08:53:35 +1300
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Duane Olsen signed 2023-11-11 08:53:16 +1300
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Stephen Whitwell signed 2023-11-11 08:52:47 +1300
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Wayne Mckenzie signed 2023-11-11 08:52:41 +1300
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Ngaire Grainger signed 2023-11-11 08:52:20 +1300
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Gill Sanders signed 2023-11-11 08:52:19 +1300
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John Nesbitt signed 2023-11-11 08:52:12 +1300
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Graeme Reinhardt signed 2023-11-11 08:50:37 +1300The world has gone mad.
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Rowena Haldane signed 2023-11-11 08:50:32 +1300 -
David Gear signed 2023-11-11 08:50:09 +1300
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Judith Bensen signed 2023-11-11 08:49:48 +1300We are all human beings, we must never forget!
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Stefan Tyler signed 2023-11-11 08:49:33 +1300
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Peter Dornauf signed 2023-11-11 08:48:59 +1300Deep hatreds and volatile people on both sides. An impossible situation. Disturbing rise in extremism in New Zealand.
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Hannah Winder signed 2023-11-11 08:48:42 +1300
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Peter Cottier signed 2023-11-11 08:48:41 +1300
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Robert Biggs signed 2023-11-11 08:48:17 +1300The need for violent retribution and vengeance has not worked anywhere and has muddled things between the Arabs and Israelis since 1947. It is a good example of what not to do.
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Sally Kilpatrick signed 2023-11-11 08:48:17 +1300