News media statement
For immediate release
11 January 2009

Christians "die in" for Gaza in Wellington

The deaths of more than 800 people in Gaza over the last two weeks will be commemorated by a “die-in” in Wellington’s Civic Square at 12.00 noon on Tuesday. The Israeli government has just announced that it will be escalating its military operations in the Gaza Strip this week.

The peaceful non-violent symbolic representation of the loss of life is being organised by Christians for Justice in Palestine to highlight the need for our Government to play an active international role in support of human rights. Protestors are concerned that the lives of innocent individuals in the Gaza strip and Israel continue to be lost while the international community quibbles.

In response to the loss of so many lives, the New Zealand Government has taken a very weak “watching brief”.

The demonstration will begin with a short time of silence at the Yitzhak Rabin memorial in Harris Street to remember the 60 years of dispossession and suffering of the Palestinian people. The demonstration will then move into Civic Square where participants will lie on the ground wearing “bloodstained” clothing and bandages.

A “counting up” of the more than 800 deaths, including those Israelis who have died as the current intense military action goes into its third week, is also part of the programme.

A petition will be signed for presenting to the Government. Christians for Justice in Palestine supports the calls for
- cutting ties with the Canberra based Israeli Embassy,
- preventing exports or electronic equipment from New Zealand that could be used to support military attacks, and
- increasing aid and support for the Palestinian people suffering under an army of occupation.

Wellington Catholic priest Fr Gerry Burns has said “No state can be beyond criticism in terms of human rights and international law”.

Christians for Justice in Palestine is an ecumenical group. The organising group welcomes all who wish to participate – whatever their faith – believers and non-believers.

Participants are encouraged to bring and wear "bloodstained" clothes and/or bandages to be presented with the petition. Religious ministers are invited to wear their clerical garb.

ENDS

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