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.
-
Francis Hape signed 2023-11-11 08:07:19 +1300 -
Matthew Newman signed 2023-11-11 08:07:15 +1300
-
Noel Minnaar signed 2023-11-11 08:07:10 +1300
-
Gaye Gardner signed 2023-11-11 08:07:09 +1300Peace is the goal, not who is right or wrong.
-
Anne Macann signed 2023-11-11 08:07:02 +1300
-
Faye Moir signed 2023-11-11 08:07:00 +1300
-
Malcolm Macaulay signed 2023-11-11 08:07:00 +1300
-
Peter Joyce signed 2023-11-11 08:06:36 +1300
-
Julie O’Garra signed 2023-11-11 08:06:26 +1300
-
Lorraine Hagen signed 2023-11-11 08:06:24 +1300
-
Lee McAuslan signed 2023-11-11 08:06:23 +1300
-
Kevin Cudby signed 2023-11-11 08:06:17 +1300
-
Gaile Para signed 2023-11-11 08:06:08 +1300Everyone entitled is to their opinion without being punished by a few
-
Jeremy Westenra signed 2023-11-11 08:06:06 +1300
-
Liza Gordon signed 2023-11-11 08:06:04 +1300
-
Baden Ewart signed 2023-11-11 08:05:44 +1300
-
John Scahill signed 2023-11-11 08:05:41 +1300I stand for Israel and her right to protect herself
-
Alexandra Robbins signed 2023-11-11 08:05:34 +1300
-
Alan Stephenson signed 2023-11-11 08:05:33 +1300There is far too much hate in the world right now
-
Nicholas Waldon signed 2023-11-11 08:05:15 +1300
-
Merilyn Rigg-Weston signed 2023-11-11 08:05:13 +1300
-
Eleanor Turner signed 2023-11-11 08:05:03 +1300
-
Debby Verdonk signed 2023-11-11 08:04:39 +1300
-
Gordon fullard signed 2023-11-11 08:04:24 +1300
-
Steve Shadbolt signed 2023-11-11 08:04:10 +1300Hamas instigated this violence worse than any animals, what did they expect or is this Irans plan. Israel has the right to end them. What about the Ukraine and what Russia has done?
-
Gray Bartlett MBE signed 2023-11-11 08:04:09 +1300The instigator of extreme violence MUST still be brought to justice, otherwise peace and free speech cannot go hand in hand.
Organisations like Hamas and Hezbolah have NO place in a free speech democracy. -
Geoffrey Monks signed 2023-11-11 08:04:08 +1300
-
Lisa Condell signed 2023-11-11 08:03:59 +1300
-
Laurence Ennor signed 2023-11-11 08:03:58 +1300
-
N Bradford signed 2023-11-11 08:03:47 +1300