Letter to Murray McCully re Israeli Apartheid
November 22, 2012 4 Comments
-
- image21
-
- image1
21 November 2012
Murray McCully
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Email: murray.mccully
Kia ora Mr McCully,
Israeli apartheid
We were very surprised to learn after the fact that the New Zealand Rugby Union had sent rugby coaches to Israel in early October at the behest of the Israeli Rugby Union and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
You should be aware that Israel is now subject to an international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign because of its unashamedly racist treatment of its Arab-Israeli citizens; its brutal military occupation of Palestinian territory; the construction of illegal Jewish-only settlements on Palestinian land and the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The BDS campaign was launched in 2005 by some 260 Palestinian civil society organisations as the best way for the international community to support the Palestinian struggle for justice and human rights. GPJA has taken action in support of the campaign such as the protests against Israeli women’s tennis player Shahar Peer participating in New Zealand tournaments.
Your government already has a blatantly one-sided policy towards the Middle East with an Israeli embassy in Wellington, a visa-free scheme for young Israelis wanting to come to New Zealand, and a Prime Minister who says the security of Israel is a key part of our foreign policy. No mention of Palestinian rights which apparently don’t exist on Planet Key.
We request an explanation of the role of your Ministry in this breach of the international boycott and we want an assurance that in future the government will refuse to engage in any such approaches from Israel.
It would be good to think your government would be on the right side of history with this issue, unlike where you stood in the case of apartheid South Africa. It’s worth mentioning here that Bishop Tutu is on record as saying the situation for the Palestinians today is much worse than it was for black South Africans under apartheid. We don’t want you to get it wrong again Mr McCully.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
John Minto
Spokesperson
Global Peace and Justice Auckland
0220850161
johnminto
GPJA's Blog 
The treatment of Palestinians, by Israel Zionists, is not just racial. It is genocide and has been on going for 60 years. Marry McCully and all those in his party are quite happy to support this.
Hi John,
Once again, you are on expressing what a huge number of people are thinking. And history will again prove you correct. Alas for the embarrassing publicity of yet another National Government that is getting it wrong.
The next thing they’ll be doing is supporting the military regime in Burma, so the Junta’s rich will buy Fonterra’s baby milk powder to sell on to China via the back door.
Thank you for representing us and maintaining some voice of protest in Aotearoa. Kia Kaha, Kia manawanui.
Sheena von Bassewitz and Zeke Wolf
On behalf of Palestinians here and elsewhere in the world, many thanks John for an exceptionally excellent letter. Hope you can have it published. Tuma Hazou
Greetings,
Here’s an excellent video showing how the corporations destroy democracy:
Sincerely,
Martin Hanson