Statement by PASC

As a collective with members representing broader Asia including West Asia and as settlers living on colonised land, we are horrified by the violence happening in the Israeli occupied territory of Palestine, and join the voices across the world demanding an immediate ceasefire.

We urge our political leaders to call for an end to Israel’s military assault on the Palestinian people. Thousands of people in Aotearoa have protested demanding swift and deliberate measures from our government and we echo their calls. Putting political pressure on Israel to lift the siege is the first step towards achieving the enduring peace that Palestinian and Israeli civilians have always wanted and deserved.

This is the time to show compassion and broaden understanding through dialogue. It's important to not fall into traps of anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim sentiment at this time. We stand with our members, their friends and whānau who may be directly affected by the breaches of international law that have led to the intolerable human suffering that must end.

Nā mātou noa, nā
The PASC Board