Pro-Palestinian Activists Target Office of Incoming NZ PM

People take part in a pro-Palestinian rally organized by the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) in Christchurch on Oct. 21, 2023. (Sanka Vidanagama/AFP via Getty Images)

A group of pro-Palestinian activists have vandalised the offices of incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, ACT Leader David Seymour, and several other conservative MPs.

Tāmaki for Palestine has claimed responsibility for splashing red paint on the electorate offices of the parliamentarians in New Zealand.

Along with Mr. Luxon, the offices of ACT leader David Seymour, Simon Watts, Judith Collins, Dan Bidois, Paul Goldsmith, and Melissa Lee were also targeted, Newshub reported.

A similar incident took place overnight in Australia where graffiti was painted on the electorate office of Federal Minister Bill Shorten.

Tāmaki for Palestine Demand Ceasefire Support

The offices were sprayed with paint because the government “refused to call for a ceasefire” and have not condemned “Israel’s atrocities,” Tāmaki for Palestine said in a statement.

“Labour called for a ceasefire on the 37th day of this genocide. National must follow suit. Every child killed today is a child who would have been alive if there was a ceasefire yesterday,” the group said.

Further, Tāmaki for Palestine described New Zealand’s incoming government as a “coalition of complicity.”

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In response, the National Party expressed support for the right to express views freely, but added “everyone should do so legally, respectfully, and peacefully,” Radio New Zealand reported.

Israel and Hamas reached a deal on a temporary ceasefire over four days in return for the release of at least 50 hostages this week.

Not the First Time

The  incident is not the first time pro-Palestinian protesters have targeted government buildings in New Zealand with red paint.

Recently, fake red blood and the words “ceasefire now” were painted on the office of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and United States Consulate in Auckland.

Again, Tamaki for Palestine claimed responsibility for the incident, stating it wanted to “make the blood on U.S. and New Zealand officials’ hands visible.”

The group said the paint depicted the Palestinian men, women, and children allegedly “killed by Israel.”

Meanwhile, in Melbourne, Mr. Shorten’s office was vandalised by “anonymous hoons” overnight on Nov. 23.

“I found out this morning, overnight, some anonymous hoons graffitied the front of the office,” he said. 

“Obviously someone took offence at me saying we should promote social cohesion and dial down the aggro in the confrontation.”

National leader Christopher Luxon (2L) his wife Amanda Luxon (2R) and children Olivia Luxon (L) and William Luxon (R) celebrate at Shed 10 in Auckland, New Zealand on Oct. 14, 2023. (Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Mr. Luxon’s National Party received the majority of votes in the New Zealand election on Oct. 14 and is expected to sign a coalition deal with ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First in the evening on Nov. 23.

A signing in ceremony is planned on Nov. 24 at Parliament.