Kia Ora Gaza Press Statement

Hon Winston Peters,

Minister of
Foreign Affairs,
Parliament of New Zealand.

Dear Mr. Peters,

Calling on the New Zealand Government to Urge Israelis Urgently
the authorities put an end to the inhuman blockade of Gaza and allow the
2018 Gaza Freedom Flotilla safe and unhindered passage to Gaza
their destination – the port of Gaza.

We are happy to
announce that our New Zealand candidate, Mike Treen, has been
selected to join the International Freedom Flotilla from 2018 to
Gaza. Mike is a human rights activist for life and the
National Director of Union Unite. You can remember that in
2016 Kia Ora Gaza has facilitated the work of MP Green Marama Davidson
participating in a similar mission with the women's boat
in Gaza.

Mike will join many other important human rights
advocates from all over the world and the international media
staff on this peaceful and nonviolent civil society
mission to challenge the illegal and inhumane 11-year-old of Israel
naval blockade of Gaza. This flotilla will also highlight
the fight for human rights and freedom
Palestine.

Due to departure from Sicily in mid-July, the four-ship
flotilla will draw the world's attention to the ravages
effects of the cruel blockade imposed on the 2 million
Palestinians stranded in Gaza and demand end
Israel's hard-line siege, military attacks and territorial attacks
confinement that severely restricts community development
and the building of the nation, and hinders efforts towards peace.
The flotilla also aims to allow Palestinian voices
heard, especially in these times of extreme injustice

We also recognize the recent
eighth anniversary of the Mavi Marmara massacre
flotilla of peace in 2010, when 10 civilians were murdered
during a violent raid by Israeli commandos; an outrageously
illegal attack in international waters that continues to go
unpunished. However, this brutal attack does not compare
with continual violence and occupation without remorse
inflicted on Palestinians while world leaders do not act.
End the colonial occupation, the headquarters and the
aggression is essential to bring peace to the region
and the world.

Many homes, vital infrastructure, schools
and hospitals in Gaza were destroyed by
Israeli bombing. Mainly as a result of this destruction
and the seat, 95% of the water is undrinkable and the electricity
is reduced to a few hours a day. The headquarters of Israel and
naval blockade severely restricts the movement of goods and
people resulting in extreme levels of unemployment and
impoverishment. Over-stretched medical services are in
crisis and unable to cope with high levels of injury
and the deaths of ongoing Israeli military attacks. Gaza
one of the most densely populated areas of the world, is also
known as the world's largest open-air prison.
UN report says Gaza will be uninhabitable
by 2020. In order to avoid this horror
the siege and the naval blockade must be immediately
survey.

Mike's participation in this important mission
was facilitated by Kia Ora Gaza and supported by many
hundreds of New Zealand compatriots The flotilla of freedom,
approved by many NGOs in Palestine and by civil society
organizations around the world, seeks to bring a message of
hope and solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for peace
and justice and the right to return.

The 2018
international flotilla of freedom in Gaza will also carry
amount of urgent medical help, and as before
peace missions, the flotilla poses no threat to
Israel. However, in light of the illegal interception of Israel
and the seizure of boats bound for Gaza abroad
waters, we call on the New Zealand government to demand
Israeli authorities end the inhuman blockade of Gaza
Strip and allow the 2018 Freedom Flotilla to
smooth passage to their destination – the port of
Gaza.

We are waiting for your quick reply.

Sincerely,

Roger Fowler QSM,

President, Kia Ora Gaza
Trust

Email: [email protected]

Approved
by:

Janfrie Wakim, spokesperson of NZ Palestine Human
Campaign for Rights

Debbie Abbas, National Secretary, New Zealand
Solidarity Network with Palestine

Cc: Prime Minister, Jacinda
Ardern.

ends

© Scoop Media