Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian march in New Zealand

Thousands took part in a pro-Palestinian march in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city, on Saturday, in what organisers said was the largest rally of its kind since the war in Gaza began between Israel and the militant Islamist Palestinian group Hamas.

Some 50,000 attended the March for Humanity rally in central Auckland on Saturday morning, the Aotearoa for Palestine group said. New Zealand police estimated the attendance at 20,000.

Aotearoa for Palestine spokesperson Arama Rata said it was New Zealand’s largest march in support of Palestinians since conflict broke out in Gaza in October 2023, when Israel launched an offensive in retaliation for a Hamas-led cross-border attack that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of 251 hostages.

Palestinian authorities have said that more than 64,000 people have been killed in the conflict in Gaza, while humanitarian organisations say a shortage of food is leading to widespread starvation.

Many in Saturday’s protest carried Palestinian flags and banners with slogans including “Don’t normalise genocide” and “Grow a spine, stand with Palestine”, public broadcaster Radio New Zealand reported.

Australia to recognise Palestinian state

Australia to recognise Palestinian state

Organisers, motivated by a march in Australia that shut down Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge in August, wanted to close a major city bridge with Saturday’s rally, Rata said, but were forced to abandon those plans on Friday due to strong winds.