A vigil in Auckland being held in solidarity with people of Gaza, Oct 2023 Photo: Kadambari Raghukumar
In these past few weeks across cities in New Zealand, thousands have been showing up to rallies and marches to condemn the bombings of civilians in Gaza and demand an immediate ceasefire.
In this episode we're talking to Ahmed Saadeh, national coordinator for Palestinians in New Zealand - who's been helping organize rallies and vigils across the country, Louis Frayse of the Jewish community in Auckland, and Wellington-based Marilyn Garson, cofounder of Alternative Jewish Voices.
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A vigil in Auckland being held in solidarity with the people of Gaza, October 2023 Photo: Kadambari Raghukumar
The 7 October attacks that killed 1400 Israelis, including 29 children, and saw more than 220 people taken hostage caused Israeli retaliation with nearly four weeks of intense bombardment of the Gaza strip.
2.3 million people live in Gaza, confined to a space that is 10 kilometres wide and 41km long. Gaza has been under an Israeli land, sea and air blockade since 2007.
Since the war began, more than 9000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. According to the charity Save the Children, more children have died in Gaza in this war so far, than in all conflicts around the world in each of the past four years.
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An excavator clearing rubble as people search for survivors and the bodies of victims in buildings destroyed during Israeli bombardment in Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip, on 25 October. Photo: AFP
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