Queenstown for Palestine spokeswoman Kirsty Marshall says the flotilla to Gaza is a co-ordinated, non-violent fleet of mostly small vessels sailing from ports across the Mediterranean to break the Israeli occupation, attempting to bring "vital, life-saving aid" to the civilian population.
More than 50 people turned out to the event, on the Village Green, all of whom are asking Kiwi citizens to call on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, deputy PM David Seymour and Foreign Minister Winston Peters to condemn the terrorist attacks, and assist in the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In a ministerial statement delivered in the House on Tuesday, Peters said it was two years to the day Hamas mounted its "heinous terrorist attacks" on Israeli citizens, and those from other nations "caught in the wrong place on that day of infamy", which resulted in the worst massacre in Israel’s history.
"We have strongly condemned the overwhelming nature of Israel’s military response as Palestinian civilians have paid a disproportionate price for the sins of Hamas.
"Most New Zealanders were rightly appalled at scenes of violence and famine in Gaza, [and] understand that we have limited ability to influence the direction of the conflict.
"But we can provide aid to those suffering, which we have done and continue to do so, working through those agencies that can get the aid to where it is most needed."
According to the NZ Herald, a large group gathered outside Peters’ home in support of those on board the Global Sumud Flotilla over the weekend.
Tensions came to a head at the protest in Mt Mary’s Bay on Monday, with someone smashing one of Peters’ windows with a crowbar on Monday night — they handed themselves in hours later.
