PALESTINE SOLIDARITY NETWORK AOTEAROA-NZ

MEDIA RELEASE

01.04.2019

LAND DAY AND ANNIVERSARY 0F GREAT MARCH OF RETURN GAZA

Since 30 March 2018, the Israeli occupying forces have systematically and deliberately resorted to lethal and other excessive force to suppress the Great Return March in the occupied Gaza Strip, having killed 197 Palestinians within the context of the demonstrations, including 42 children, seven persons with disabilities, three paramedics, and two journalists.

In addition, over 29,000 Palestinians have been injured according to the World Health Organization, including over 6,500 by live ammunition, of whom more than 1,200 have been left with complex limb injuries requiring multiple surgeries and long-term follow up. http://www.emro.who.int/palestine-press-releases/2019/who-appeals-for-us-53-million-to-respond-to-trauma-and-emergency-needs-in-gaza.html

On its anniversary 30.03.2019 Israeli troops have killed another 4 Palestinians protesting their rights 64 injured.

PSN Aotearoa-NZ condemns the use by Israeli military of excessive force and live ammunition killing an injuring protestors at the fence which separates Gaza from Israel over the past year. Israel is an occupying power under international law, obliged to protect the people of Gaza and ensure their welfare and a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The Great March of Return has highlighted to the world that there is a legitimate grievance that most of the Palestinians in Gaza were driven there in the first place by Israel. They want to be able to return to the homes they were forced out of over the past 70 years, instead of living for 12 years under a brutal blockade.

Israel has been blaming the victims in Gaza going back to 1956 when Israeli soldiers murdered more than a thousand Palestinians prisoners at Rafah in 1956. Over the past year Israeli snipers have used internationally illegal ‘butterfly’ bullets which explode on impact, as well as new forms of gas attacks.

For decades Israel has abused Palestinian human rights while the world connives.

The time for gentle posturing by New Zealand has passed. Israel is not only strangling Gaza but rapidly confiscating Palestinian land on the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem in clear violation of international law.”

We call on PM Jacinda Ardern to summon the Israeli Ambassador to her office so she could tell him to leave New Zealand until Israel can abide by the norms of international law.

End the blockade of Gaza. End the occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem. Enforce Palestinian refugees Right of Return. Free Palestine.

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