Kia Ora Gaza invites supporters to pen an urgent letter to Foreign Minister Murray McCully, urging him to demand that Israel allows safe passage for the Women’s Boat to Gaza. His email address: M.McCully@minister.govt.nz
Murray McCully and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu seem pleased to meet each other. [Photo: stuff.co]
Hon Murray McCully,
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Parliament,
Wellington.
4 October 2016.
Dear Mr McCully,
As your parliamentary colleague, MP Marama Davidson, currently approaches the Palestinian enclave aboard the Women’s Boat to Gaza – the Zaytouna, we are extremely concerned that we have not received a response to our open letter which was emailed to you over a week ago. Israel has since reportedly issued instructions to their navy to intercept the Zaytouna.
Again we ask you to urgently demand the Israeli authorities end the inhumane blockade and allow the Women’s Boat to Gaza safe and unhindered passage to their destination, the port of Gaza.
Yours sincerely,
Roger Fowler QSM,
For Kia Ora Gaza
Janfrie Wakim,
For Palestine Human Rights Campaign
Sian Robertson,
For the NZ Palestine Solidarity Network.
Below is our OPEN LETTER sent to Murray McCully a week ago. You can view the post by scrolling back to 26 September.
OPEN LETTER TO MURRAY McCULLY
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Parliament.
Dear Mr McCully,
“We call on the NZ Government to urgently demand the Israeli authorities end the inhumane blockade and allow the Women’s Boats to Gaza safe and unhindered passage to their destination – the port of Gaza”
We are pleased to announce that our New Zealand nominee, Green Party MP Marama Davidson, has been selected to join the international Women’s Boats to Gaza peace flotilla. Marama is the Green Party spokesperson for Human Rights.
Marama has joined other prominent women from around the world and international media personnel on this peaceful civil society mission to challenge the illegal and inhumane 10-year Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. This all-women flotilla will also highlight the important role of women in the struggle for human rights in Palestine.
Due to depart Sicily this week, the two-boat flotilla will accentuate the devastating effects of the cruel Israeli blockade on the 1.8 million Palestinians isolated in Gaza, and emphasize in particular the struggle of women who often fill the role of caring for and sustaining life, and are actively involved in community development and nation building. It is important to make their voices heard, even more so during these times of extreme injustice and hardship.
We also acknowledge the recent anniversary of the massacre on the Mavi Marmara-led peace flotilla in 2010, when 10 civilians were murdered by Israeli commandos, an illegal attack in international waters that continues to go unpunished. However, this brutal assault doesn’t compare with the continual violence and occupation inflicted on Palestinians while world leaders fail to act. Ending Israel’s harsh settler-colonial occupation, siege and aggression is pivotal to bringing about peace in the region and the world.
Homes, schools and hospitals in Gaza have been destroyed by repeated Israeli bombings. 95% of the water is undrinkable and electricity is reduced to a few hours per day. Israel’s siege and naval blockade severely restricts the movement of goods and people. Gaza is known as the ‘world’s largest open air prison.’ A United Nations report states that Gaza will be uninhabitable by 2020. In order to obviate this horrifying prediction the siege and naval blockade must be immediately lifted.
Marama’s participation in this important mission has been facilitated by Kia Ora Gaza and supported by many hundreds of fellow New Zealanders. The Women’s Boats to Gaza flotilla, supported by many women’s groups and NGOs in Gaza and by civil society around the world, seeks to bring a message of hope and solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for peace and justice.
Like previous peace flotillas, the Women’s Boats to Gaza poses no threat whatsoever to Israel. However, in light of Israel’s illegal interception and seizure of previous Gaza-bound boats in international waters, and NZ Parliament’s support for the women’s peace flotilla (21 September 2016), we call on the NZ Government to urgently demand the Israeli authorities end the inhumane blockade and allow the Women’s Boats to Gaza safe and unhindered passage to their destination – the port of Gaza.
Yours sincerely,
Roger Fowler QSM, Chair, Kia Ora Gaza.
Janfrie Wakim, Spokesperson for the Palestine Human Rights Campaign
Sian Robertson, Organiser, NZ Palestine Solidarity Network
Kia Ora Gaza 
My own view if people dont get any jai they dont survive at all. Yes ppl have suffered many afflictions around the world past, present and in the future. To break that cycle do good unto others as they will do good unto you. If you care for humanity how richer you will be even to one soul and many more. Richer in knowing of a life. Yes one can rewrite history and be kind to one another show by example. Yes we all wish we can change the past, things happen due to others lack of understanding who didnt have value. But today we can make a change by doing what is right. Please dont let palestine suffer as you did israel how much pain will it take until you are well and a free people. Be free to be you let all that stuff “emotions” you been holding onto for years let go. When you block people to give supplies and food to others that desperately need it, you still stop yourself from showing unconditional love. Heal your fears, forgive others, heal your soul to be able to love in a humane way. Barriers can be broken, relationships can be relinquish. Bring out the humanity of unconditional love. Be the doers of the word and not just listeners show compassion to your brothers and sisters of palestine and they will love you forever. I plead to you this day that as you do this the lord will bless you and your families and see the good works you do. Let it but one soul and how great will be your joy. I stand strong to my words and hope that all will be well in good faith.