Media Release: Saturday 8 October 2016

For Immediate Release

MP Marama Davidson’s Gaza protest an embarrassment to Maori, says kaumatua

Green MP Marama Davidson has been heavily criticised by Ngapuhi kaumatua David Rankin for her involvement in the illegal Gaza flotilla protest.

Mr Rankin has said that Maori have an affinity with the Jewish people which goes back two centuries: “Our ancestors in the nineteenth century, especially our spiritual leaders, identified with the plight of the Jews and their struggle for an indigenous homeland. By Marama [Davidson] trying to stir up trouble against Israel, she is challenging the indigenous rights of Jews. This is an embarrassment to all Maori.”

Mr Rankin is highly critical of what he calls Davidson’s “pretence” at being a Maori: “she can’t speak the language, she knows next to nothing about the culture, and she acts like someone who is imbalanced.”

“The result of her protest action is a kick in the face for Maori who identify with the indigenous Israelis,” says Mr Rankin. “When she returns to New Zealand, I expect that several Maori will make their views very clear to her.”

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