Hundreds of activists gathered in Dunedin on Saturday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
A coalition of activist groups including Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) and Justice for Palestine and local Palestinian families gathered at the Otago Museum reserve and marched to the Octagon on Saturday.
Rally organiser Oscar Bartle said the march was a call for a ceasefire.
"We’re here to show our opposition to what is going on in Gaza — the indiscriminate bombing of civilians and the murder of thousands of children in Gaza is disgraceful."
Israeli military action followed a deadly attack from Hamas militants earlier this month.
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said last week civilians had suffered disproportionately in the conflict.
"New Zealand supports the right of Israel to defend itself against Hamas’ terrorist attacks, but the way it does so matters," she said.
"It must abide by international law, exercise restraint, and prioritise the protection of civilians."
Caretaker Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called for a "humanitarian pause" and also reiterated New Zealand’s condemnation of Hamas’ "brutality" — "their targeting of civilians, and the taking of hostages, which are clear violations of international law".
"The New Zealand government seems to broadly gesture at a ceasefire but has a history of not actually calling for a ceasing of the occupation in any form that is stronger than a vote ... at the UN or some lip service to a two-state solution.
"What we actually need are diplomatic solutions and if Israel won’t abide by international law we need political sanctions — the same sort of thing we saw on day one when there were terror attacks in Israel two weeks ago.
"That’s the kind of energy we want to see against the state of Israel when war crimes are perpetrated en masse against Palestinian people."
The rally included speeches from Dunedin city councillor Marie Laufiso and Palestinian community leader Dr Mai Tamimi.
Dr Tamimi said everyone needed to do their part to support Palestinians.
"Each one of you has a job to do and has a responsibility to tell the truth and support Palestinians in Aotearoa New Zealand."
The protest was one of many around the country’s main centres on Saturday.
mark.john@odt.co.nz — Additional reporting by RNZ
