MEDIA RELEASE- Monday August 3rd
Senior Citizens for Peace
Superannuitants call on Super Fund to quit Super Funding Apartheid
In commemoration of the one year anniversary of the murder of nearly 2000 captive Palestinians in Gaza, taxpayers will
today picket the NZ Superfund office to oppose the investment of New Zealanders money into companies which profit off
Israel’s violence against Palestinians.
12.00pm onwards Monday August 3rd.
Outside NZ Superfund office, Level 12 , 21 Queen Street, Auckland
“Last August, we witnessed the bombing of hospitals and schools in a bloody Israeli incursion into Gaza, the third of
its type in less than seven years. The only way for this kind of human suffering to continue, is for good people to
stand by and do nothing while our taxes Super Fund companies that profit off others suffering,” says concerned
superannuitant Phil McNeale
“A group of us superannuitants are today picketing the NZ Superfund office to send a clear message; we demand our tax
dollars are immediately withdrawn from companies which arm Israel and help maintain it’s brutal regime of occupation and
siege. People of all ages are welcome to join us.
“Companies such as Israel Chemicals Ltd, which produces white phosphorous, a chemical that’s use in war was banned by UN
Convention because of its extremely harmful effects on civilians. White phosphorous was used by the Israeli military in
Gaza in 2008/2009 in densely populated areas, causing extreme human suffering and loss of life among men, women and
children.
“In 2012, Superfund divested from a number of companies which profit off Israel’s war crimes, such as Elbit Systems, a
drone manufacturer.
“We have previously met with NZ Super Fund, but they are refusing to discuss our concerns with them further. Chief
Executive Adrian Orr seems to have forgotten who pays his $800,000 public servant salary; us!
“NZ Super Fund continues to invest in companies* which supply Israel with the means to attack civilians, and in
companies which profit from the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These investments are an affront
to international law and the principles of human rights.
“NZ Superfund has taken an ethical stance on not investing with companies tied to nuclear weaponry and whaling. We want
to see this same compassion afforded to Palestinians. As taxpayers we do not want to see our money invested in the
oppression and murder of other human beings.”
• G4S: a British-Danish private security company that provides services and equipment to Israeli prisons, checkpoints,
the Apartheid Wall and the Israeli police. ($542,755)
• United Technologies: produces Blackhawk helicopters used to attack cities, refugee camps and villages. ($7,290,126
invested)
• Boeing: sells Israel F-15A fighter jets and Apache AH 64 helicopters used in attacks on Gaza. ($6,579,342)
• General Dynamics: manufactures diesel engines used in Israel's Merkava battle tanks and produces bombs for Israel.
($1,967,381)
• Raytheon: produces bombs used in attacking Gaza. ($1,797,902)
• Caterpillar: produces militarised bulldozers used to destroy Palestinian homes.(4,710,251)
• Israel Chemicals: produces white phosphorus. ($327,668)
• Hewlett-Packard Co: produces technologies for the Israeli military and profits from business in illegal settlements
($4,434,988)
ENDS