Alternative Jewish Voices and Justice for Palestine are holding a snap action to protest the celebration of Israel while the state starves the civilian population in Gaza and signals its intention to violently dispossess and displace Palestinians in Gaza.

Date: Today, Tuesday 6 May 2025
Time: 5:30pm
Location: TBC - Central Wellington location - for venue information, please contact us (0277802843) or check our socials at www.instagram.com/just4pal

For over two months Israel has blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including food, water and critical aid, for the 2.1 million Palestinians who are blockaded there. The inevitable and intended consequence is that tens of thousands of Palestinians are facing severe malnutrition, and over 50 deaths by starvation so far, including children.

Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war is a war crime, and just last week the International Court of Justice concluded hearings on Israel’s obligations to allow humanitarian aid in the Palestinian territories. The vast majority of participating States agreed that Israel should not be allowed to starve civilians in the territories it occupies.

Just today Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to “intensify” its forced displacement of civilians in Gaza, doubling down on its ethnic cleansing and genocide.

At the same time, the Israeli embassy in New Zealand intends to celebrate Israel’s independence, wining and dining, while the same State is literally starving the people in Gaza to death.

Marilyn Garson, spokesperson for Alternative Jewish Voices said: “New Zealanders will not stand by while the people of Gaza are deprived of food and water. Israel has chosen to use starvation as a weapon of war. To protest against that is an act of empathy and principle. We find it intolerable that Israel's representative should host a party in the midst of these illegal and immoral acts.”

Alternative Jewish Voices and Justice for Palestine call for the New Zealand government to:

• Sanction Israel until it complies with its obligation under international law, including providing humanitarian aid to Gaza
• Establish emergency visas for people in Gaza with family in New Zealand
• Increase humanitarian aid
• Actively support and engage with ICJ and ICC proceedings
• Recognise the State of Palestine

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