Feel The Fire
The false equivalence of politicians, protests, and people.
When you’re waiting for the thrill to return
And the world it leaves you so damn tired
Lying awake, writing letters to yourself
Trying to find some way to feel the fire
Songwriters: Jon Toogood, Karl Kippenberger, Phil Knight and Tom Larkin.
Protest and Counter-protest.
This weekend, approximately 20,000 Kiwis, some having travelled great distances to take part, marched through central Tamaki Makaurau in protest against the genocide in Gaza and the lack of action from our government in response to Israel.
It is scarcely believable that after nearly two years of killing, destruction, and starvation, it remains too early for our representatives to take the most basic of steps to recognise Palestine and the plight of the Palestinian people.
There were families, groups from small towns, and people from every walk who demanded we do something to demonstrate the level of anger and disgust in Aotearoa against Netanyahu’s madness.
Even a rock star, who wrote the song at the end of today’s newsletter, was there.
As well, quite naturally, there were Jewish people, and I was pleased to read the following. Like others, I find it difficult to reconcile the horrors of Gaza with a group of people who have themselves been victims of such genocide.
Sadly, others had come to oppose the protest's objective—a small number, yet one that inevitably received disproportionate coverage.
Too much attention.
As usual, the Man Up thugs were there to try to spoil things. Destiny’s deluded devotees were revved up into seeing this as a battle between those of Judeo-Christian heritage and the infidel.
Another group carrying NZ and Israeli flags seemed keen to repeat the ugly nationalist scenes we’ve seen across the Tasman. They chanted “Free the Hostages” and “Down with Hamas”.
Cleverly, the march organisers held banners in place to shield the 99% of people who were there for humanitarian reasons from the tiny group of spoilers.
It made me think, what drives those few? Why were they really there? I posted:
Are counter marches to the Gaza protests, pro-genocide?
Seems like there's a lot more Islamaphobia going on than anti-Semitism.
Listen to politicians around the world who drag their heels over doing anything about Israel. They cry out at any sign of anti-semitism, but their words and lack of action smack of Islamophobia. Like this reaction to the protest from ACT’s Simon Court:
Protesters might be surprised to find that one of our MPs viewed the March For Humanity as “for ethnic cleansing,” not against it. In Simon Court’s view, marchers were anti-Semitic for demanding that Israel cease killing innocent civilians and starving babies.
As usual, Mr Court perceives a different reality than I do. Mind you, I shouldn’t judge; I don’t know what it’s like when your colleagues are the ACT Party caucus.
For people like Court, and many American politicians, it’s not just Gaza where Israel gets a free ride; they can do whatever they like…
A Free Pass for Israel.
So far in the 21st century, upwards of a million followers of one religion have been killed as a result of prejudice and lies. That religion is not Judaism; it is Islam.
Do you think that the American public would be as willing to go along with their government funding a client state that massacres white Christians? Not a hope in hell, but if it’s muslims then, well, we can see what happens.
Israel has carte blanche to attack any of its neighbours, not just the massacre of civilians in Gaza, but across the Middle East, even including US ally Qatar. This, from Al Jazeera last week:
Some countries make the right noises about Israel’s actions being unacceptable, and yet when their own citizens demand action, those people become the problem.
Cracking down on civil rights.
We’ve seen protests across Europe from Germany to the UK, where the authorities stand back and do nothing as white supremacists protest against immigrants and refugees; meanwhile, they crack down on criticisms of Israel, arresting people for wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh or chanting, “Free Free Palestine”.
This weekend in London, we saw that angry mob turn into a far-right throng with a hundred thousand people protesting in London against their government for not doing enough to Make Britain Great Again.
In recent weeks, we have seen police dragging away entirely peaceful protestors, some elderly or disabled, who have opposed the genocide in Gaza. This weekend’s protest was more akin to the football hooliganism of decades ago.
Like our protest this weekend, there were protesters and counter-protesters, but also bizarrely, the influence of Brian Tamaki. I posted:
Brian Tamaki at a Tommy Robinson anti-immigrant march in London? It looks like someone needs a new grift.
How embarrassing to see the Haka in such a situation.
I was disgusted to see the haka used to support such a group, and those dressed as warriors tearing a Palestinian flag to pieces. I can only imagine how Māori must feel about this misappropriation of their culture for such a purpose.
Tau wasn’t impressed and commented, “Temu kapa haka group!”
Alison wrote, “I was actually furious to see the haka in that vile setting. And who funded their trip? South Auckland parishioners, I guess.” Either them, or perhaps Elon Musk, who seems to be backing the far-right movement.
If the haka itself wasn’t embarrassing enough, hang around for the song at the end. Yowsers.
More mindless idiots who have been convinced, like the marchers in London, that the problem is immigrants and the left.
Halina commented, “That whole march is horrifying. The world is going through an unsettling stage, and it's hard to predict when and how it will play out. My naturally optimistic nature is feeling bruised and baffled.”
Mine too, Halina, and unfortunately, it sounds as if Mr Tamaki wants to see the same level of protest here.
Blaming the left.
We’ve seen a lot of blame aimed at the left this week following the shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Fox News and Trump have treated the death as a declaration of war from the left, even though the suspect who has been arrested isn’t close to being in any of the groups they have ranted about since the death.
So, not a trans person, or an immigrant, or even a liberal, just an angry white American man with a gun, like every other time.
Other voices have told us that the violence is the fault of both sides, but it’s not true. The left is far too woke for that.
When someone like Kirk spreads hate, we protest or sign petitions. When the right doesn’t like what they hear, they shoot people, they track them down in their homes, and if it’s a right-wing speaker that they don’t think goes far enough, then they shoot him, too.
Vicious lies in Wellington.
In recent days, we’ve seen the disinformation wash ashore here with a ridiculous attack on Wellington Councillor Rebecca Matthews.
Poisonous garbage from the group affiliated with Ray Chung, the would-be mayor who previously smeared Tory Whanau with lies.
I’ve seen Rebecca’s political career over many years. She was on the student council when I was at Uni in the 90s, and we both had summer jobs at the College of Education. I’d struggle to think of another politician who is as peaceful, decent, and in the service of the people.
The idea that she would encourage or participate in violence is crazy, and I highly recommend you don’t vote for anyone associated with Better Wellington.
Continue standing.
When your government remains silent in the face of mass murder, it stands by as others stir up hatred but suppresses protests for humanitarian reasons, it is disillusioning.
But we’re not like the UK or the US, where it seems to make little difference which party is in power, as they all take money from Israeli donors or are terrified of being accused of anti-semitism if they do the right thing.
All three of our parties of the left are unequivocal in their support for the Palestinian people, and that is worth believing in and supporting.
We must, for as long as it takes, oppose the actions of Israel and Netanyahu, but let’s not blame the Jewish people.
We should reject the attacks on our MPs in Aotearoa. Time and again, we have seen the media amplify lies about left-wing politicians, furthering the agenda of those with hate.
Free Palestine, fair treatment for politicians on the left, no more Islamophobia or anti-Semitism, and a lot less Brian Tamaki, it’s not much to ask, is it?
Have a good Monday, folks, and if you enjoyed today’s newsletter, please subscribe to support my mahi and/or share today’s kōrero.
Ngā mihi,
Nick.
To end today, here’s Shihad with Feel The Fire. Love these guys.
I can’t help but compare the photos of Oriini, Marama and Carmel with the oft repeated footage of the three coalition leaders smirking and laughing as they strut down the corridors of Parliament. All our differences and problems in two images…
Very well written Nick. What a world we are living in. I had seen coverage of the awful protest in London and felt sad, angry, and very disturbed. Sad that such viciousness and violence has become all too common in the country I was born in, that people like Tommy Robinson have such influence over so many. Angry (but not surprised) that this sort of violence and anarchy has been supported by Brian Tamaki and his thugs. As if this disgusting event wasn’t disturbing enough, the coverage ended with Elon Musk spouting hate from a giant screen, interfering in the politics of Britain the way he did in America.
In contrast we had the protest down Queen Street where no police were beaten up by protesters, and violence did not break out between the protesters and counter protesters. I really hope that in our country (my home of 54 years) we can hold the line against the violence and hatred that is increasing around the world. We are a small and diverse country, we cannot afford to allow ourselves to let the violence and hate we saw in London take hold here. We must continue to stand up for what’s right and be the small country with a big heart.