About 2000 people have gathered in Auckland's CBD this afternoon, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the three-month-old Israel-Hamas conflict.
They are making their way from Aotea Square along Queen Street to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Quay Street.
They made their way from Aotea Square along Queen Street to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Quay Street. (Source: 1News)
Some are waving large Gaza flags carrying banners reading 'NZ Five Eyes but no Spine' and 'Stop Killing our Kids.'
The protest group's goal is to make what they called 'All Out Palestine' be 'the biggest march for Palestine in NZ history'.
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."
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.
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 is organised by Palestinian Youth Aotearoa and Aotearoa Liberation League.
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