Marchers work their way down Queen Street at Sunday's protest march for a ceasefire in Israel/Gaza. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Several thousand people gathered in Auckland's CBD this afternoon, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the three-month-old Israel-Hamas conflict.
They made their way from Aotea Square along Queen Street to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Quay Street.
Some waved large Gaza flags carrying banners reading 'Free Palestine, stop genocide in Gaza', 'NZ Five Eyes but no Spine' and 'Stop Killing our Kids.'
The protest group's goal was to make what they called 'All Out Palestine' be 'the biggest march for Palestine in NZ history'.
The group taped photographs and posters of Palestinian victims of the violence to the doors of the American consulate in Auckland.
Marchers work their way down Queen Street at Sunday's protest march for a ceasefire in Israel/Gaza. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Several other protests calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine war have been held around the country recently including one to the steps of Parliament in Wellington.
A Green Party MP attending the protest said New Zealand needs to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Ricardo Menéndez March said he wants to see a stronger stance from the government.
"Our stance on the genocide happening upon the Palestinian people has been weak, because it does not put pressure on our peers, particularly in the US and Israeli government, who have been complicit at the UN level by blocking attempts from the international community to call for a ceasefire."
The United States vetoed a United Nations resolution on Friday demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
Parliament also debated the war this week, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calling for "steps towards" a ceasefire before a ceasefire begins.
Today's march was organised by Palestinian Youth Aotearoa and Aotearoa Liberation League.
Hamas fighters broke through Israel's borders 7 October, killing 1200 people and taking 240 hostages.
The Hamas-run health ministry has said that Israel has killed more than 17,700 Gazans in its retaliatory campaign, including more than 7000 children.
Crowds converge on Auckland's Aotea Square for a 'All Out For Palestine' march Sunday. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Crowds converge on Auckland's Aotea Square for a 'All Out For Palestine' march Sunday. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Crowds gather at Auckland's Aotea Square to call for a ceasefire in the Israel/Gaza conflict. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Marchers work their way down Queen Street at Sunday's protest march for a ceasefire in Israel/Gaza. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Marchers work their way down Queen Street at Sunday's protest march for a ceasefire in Israel/Gaza. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
