Peace Group Demands Action Over Middle East

The Nelson Peace Group is shocked at the disproportionate amount of force used by the Israeli military against Palestine in Gaza over recent months and now Lebanon over the last few days.

We formally call on Helen Clark and the New Zealand Government to state our country’s disapproval, in the strongest terms possible to the Israeli Government, thereby supporting the European Union. We support our Government withdrawing all ties and support of Israel immediately. Israel has failed to implement international law, including humanitarian law, and UN resolutions concerning Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and now continues this same behaviour into Lebanon.

The capture of one Israeli soldier by Palestine and two soldiers by Hezbollah does not justify this excessive use of military power against innocent civilians and blatant targeting of infrastructure such as power, roading, airport and apartment complexes.

We believe a humanitarian crisis has is unfolding in Lebanon as well as Gaza from which women, children and an entire civil society may never recover.

At the same time, we do not condone the actions of both Palestine and Hezbollah in retaliation against innocent Israeli people. All violent actions must cease in the whole region, including those of legitimate protest.

Nelson Peace Group Secretary, Anne FitzSimon, says “We are sickened by the disproportionate level of violence by Israel with the complete disregard of any peace process in the Middle East”. Ms FitzSimon says “we believe all violent actions must cease by all sides in the Middle East immediately”.

On Wed 19 July, the public are welcome to join Nelson Peace Group outside the Nelson City Council offices on Trafalgar St at 12 noon, walk up Trafalgar St to the Church Steps, where that Group will hold a candle vigil until 1pm. A letter to Helen Clark will be available to sign by attendees.

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