Kia ora Marama, you are a credit to our country. I’m old enough to remember Norman Kirk’s principled stand against French nuclear bomb testing at Mururoa. You are carrying on that fine tradition of standing up for what is right.

WIthout just peace for Palestine there will never be security for Israel. this is a salient lesson Israelis do not seem to grasp

Hi Andrea – Marama Davidson here.

Yep I have been consistent, vocal and clear in all my communications that it is an absolute privilege to be able to choose to go in and out of conflict zones. Including at the fundraising dinner a couple of weeks ago where I spoke deeply and at length about the privilege I will have of returning to my healthy, happy family and my babies – in our healthy and happy home. Your are absolutely right – and I will continue to be clear and vocal about this. Maori have long had an understanding and affinity with what is happening to Palestinian people and we have used whatever platforms we have available to keep our voices strong on wanting peace and justice for Palestine.
I have also long had a relationship with Palestinian women here in Aotearoa, most of whom still have whanau facing huge oppression but also standing resilient in Gaza. Again your are correct – I do not want to be part of any paternalistic campaign that ignores the very people most impacted on. The peace flotilla and participating groups have long had these very conversations and communications. But absolutely I also have much to learn and will continue to ensure that the voice of Palestinian women in Gaza is paramount. Fair call.
Finally – whatever opportunities are available to me, I will take them. At this time it happens to be this Women’s Boat to Gaza Peace Flotilla. I was also asked to investigate being part of a land convoy to Gaza and this hasn’t been able to eventuate. I hope that I can use my participation to have deeper discussions with the wide networks and platform that I have – who may not already be aware of the nature and scale of the humanitarian crisis. I have a particular reach where perhaps many of the conversations I can initiate will be first time conversations.

Thanks for your support 🙂

By defending the genocide, reiterating Zionist propaganda supporting the genocide and land grab or remaining silent, the shame of those actions will be reflected upon them.

The Jewish identity whether centred on religious beliefs and practices, culture or blood lines, is strongly held by significant group of NZders, many who abhor what is happening in and around Israel, but are scared to speak out. They become victims of the Zionist hard line psychopaths.

She says, ‘As an indigenous woman myself, I want to stand alongside the women of Gaza and to draw attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis there…’

It sounds just so Inspired and Indigenous and Important – and she can come home at the end of it.

‘to draw attention to’ – Whose attention we are not told. Nor the means whereby.

Perhaps she could get off the boat and find out what the women of Gaza would like – and arrange to get it to them. I mean, if we can send miserable sheep to die in the desert – perhaps we could get some decent technologies through the blockades to offset the attacks on water and sewage and medical assistance. Or schools and orphanages. Or veterinary care.

And then she could stand up in parliament here and nag and nag and nag that pasty ineffectual McCully until he stands up for decency at the UN – at long last.

And speak quite firmly with the Sainted Helen, as well. Along with other women around the world who are also Green Party people. Natalie Bennett, for example, who also happens to be ‘an indigenous woman.’