Supporting Palestine through boycotts, education and art

Members of community group, Whāingaroa Palestine Solidarity, are encouraging locals to join in a nationwide boycott of Obela hummus. 

The Obela brand is co-owned by Strauss Group, Israel’s second largest food and beverage company. According to Strauss Group’s website, the company openly boasts about their connections to Zionism and the business continues to support the Israeli military and partner with Friends of Israeli Defence Forces.

The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and has ordered that Israel remove its settlements and provide reparations to the Palestinian people.

Following a war crimes investigation, the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The International Court of Justice has also ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, ordering that Israel remove its settlements and provide reparations to the Palestinian people.

A petition has gathered over 100 signatures and presented to management at both supermarkets. “We were really pleased to get a positive response from Four Square,” says group member Kristy Lorson. “Satnam, the owner, was very sympathetic to our concerns and said he had started the process to cancel his store’s contract with Obela, but explained that it may take some time.”

Lorson is encouraging locals to be vocal about their support for Palestine. “Boycotts work. Please let both our supermarkets know that you want these products off the shelves,” she says.

Whāingaroa Palestine Solidarity’s next fundraising event features a host of local artists lending their support to the Palestinian people through art. Held at the Old School Arts Centre, the exhibition runs from Wednesday 18 to Saturday 21 December. 

All the artwork has been donated and will be auctioned off on the final day. The proceeds go directly to the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association, a non-profit organisation providing medical relief and support to Palestinians in need, regardless of their location, religion, or political affiliation. Contributing artists are Chris Meek, Pita Mataira, Marten Ten Broek, Elsa Lye, Catherine O’Kelly, Lois Brooks, Wanda Barker, Gaye Jurisich, Dyana Wells, Catherine Houston, Loesje de Bree, Richard Gemmell, Rodrigo Hill, Jessie Galloway, Karla Stevenson, Sarah Steed, Janice Abo Ganis, Valentine Kunzler, Fleur Rubingh and the Clay Shed team.

For more information, contact whaingaroapalestinesolidarity@gmail.com or check them out on Facebook at Whāingaroa Palestine Solidarity.com