MFAT statements in support of the terrorist attacks on the Al-Aqsa mosque
Andrew Li made this Official Information request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Response to this request is long overdue. By law Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade should have responded by now (details and exceptions). The requester can complain to the Ombudsman.
From: Andrew Li
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
On 0855 Friday, a message was publicly posted on Twitter by the official MFATNZ Twitter account, suggesting that the Palestinian victims were to blame for the repeated terrorist attacks by the zionist entity on the al-Aqsa Mosque, and that Palestinians were somehow obliged to refrain from responding against terror attacks launched by zionists on the third holiest site in Islam and the Gaza concentration camp.
https://twitter.com/MFATNZ/status/151724...
I am requesting:
1) All internal notes and communications internally within MFAT and externally with the likes of Ms Mahuta which related to the production of this message.
2) All internal notes and communications internally within MFAT and externally with the likes of Ms Mahuta which related to the ongoing zionist terrorist attacks on the Al Aqsa mosque and Gaza which escalated following the April 15 attack.
3) MFAT policy, documents, and messages related to how MFAT communications should address Palestine, and the so called state of 'Israel', as well as the conflicts between the native Palestinian population of Palestine and the zionist invaders.
Yours faithfully,
Andrew Li
From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Thank you for your email.
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From: Andrew Li
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
In addition to the questions above,
4) I am requesting the name of the individual responsible for posting the attack on the Palestinian people mentioned above:
https://twitter.com/MFATNZ/status/151724...
Yours faithfully,
Andrew Li
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora Andrew Li
Thank you for your OIA requests received on 23 April 2022 for:
On 0855 Friday, a message was publicly posted on Twitter by the official
MFATNZ Twitter account, suggesting that the Palestinian victims were to
blame for the repeated terrorist attacks by the zionist entity on the
al-Aqsa Mosque, and that Palestinians were somehow obliged to refrain from
responding against terror attacks launched by zionists on the third
holiest site in Islam and the Gaza concentration camp.
https://twitter.com/MFATNZ/status/151724...
I am requesting:
1) All internal notes and communications internally within MFAT and
externally with the likes of Ms Mahuta which related to the production of
this message.
2) All internal notes and communications internally within MFAT and
externally with the likes of Ms Mahuta which related to the ongoing
zionist terrorist attacks on the Al Aqsa mosque and Gaza which escalated
following the April 15 attack.
3) MFAT policy, documents, and messages related to how MFAT communications
should address Palestine, and the so called state of 'Israel', as well as
the conflicts between the native Palestinian population of Palestine and
the zionist invaders.
In addition to the questions above,
4) I am requesting the name of the individual responsible for posting the
attack on the Palestinian people mentioned above:
[1]https://twitter.com/MFATNZ/status/151724...
This email confirms receipt of your request and advises that we will
respond to it as soon as reasonably practicable, and in terms of the
timeframes and requirements of the OIA.
Please also be advised that the organisational impacts of implementing the
COVID-19 Protection Framework, together with the Ministry’s leadership of
the Government's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, mean that we
may have reduced capacity to process OIA requests. We will do our best to
make decisions on your OIA request as soon as practicably possible, and to
keep you informed of progress if there are likely to be delays.
For your information, the Chief Ombudsman has published updated guidance
on OIA requests during this time:
· [2]Chief Ombudsman's statement on official information response
times during implementation of the COVID-19 Protection Framework
· [3]FAQs about official information requests during COVID-19
Please note that our response letter to you (with your personal details
redacted), and any enclosed documents, may be published on the Ministry’s
website.
Ngâ mihi
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatû Aorere
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From: Andrew Li
Thanks,
These seem like pretty simple questions, and are of particular importance given the continuing invasions of Al-Aqsa Mosque by terrorist forces and the drone strikes on legitimate Muslim worshippers. When do you expect to have a response?
Regards,
Andrew
From: Andrew Li
Dear ESD,
Given the continuing and escalating attacks on the Al Aqsa mosque and peaceful worshippers there, including not just drone strikes on worshippers but the disabling of mosque loudspeaker equipment by zionist terrorists to prevent the broadcast of the adhan or call to prayer, the open support by MFAT for the zionist attacks on the mosque are of particular national and international media interest.
I assume that you will be releasing the requested documents very shortly, without engaging in further delaying tactics.
Kind regards,
Andrew Li
From: Andrew Li
Dear ESD,
As zionist violence towards Palestinian civilians continues to escalate, with the sport-killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh yesterday, this question only becomes more relevant. When do you intend to respond?
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Li
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Tēnā koe Andrew,
I am writing concerning your OIA request below. This email is to advise
that we will need to extend the time limit for responding to you by 30
working days, to 23 June 2022. This is because consultations necessary to
make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot
reasonably be made within the original time frame (section 15A(1)(a) of
the OIA refers).
However, if this process is completed before 23 June 2022, the response
will be sent to you as soon as possible.
Please also be advised that the organisational impacts of implementing the
COVID-19 Protection Framework, together with the Ministry’s leadership of
the Government's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, mean that we
may have reduced capacity to process OIA requests. We will do our best to
make decisions on your OIA request as soon as practicably possible, and to
keep you informed of progress if there are likely to be delays.
For your information, the Chief Ombudsman has published updated guidance
on OIA requests during this time:
o [1]Chief Ombudsman's statement on official information response times
during implementation of the COVID-19 Protection Framework
o [2]FAQs about official information requests during COVID-19
If you have any questions, you can contact us by email at:
[3]DM‑[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and
review by the Ombudsman of this decision by contacting
[4]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
-------------------------------------------------
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
[5]www.mfat.govt.nz | [6]www.safetravel.govt.nz
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From: Andrew Li
Dear ESD,
You have not provided reasonable grounds for an extension. You claim that 'consultations' are required, but you fail to state why those consultations are required, or with whom, or why they have not already been conducted.
This is a very flagrant attempt to violate OIA requirements over a very simple request. I can only assume that you will be providing the information as soon as possible but before the end of the 22 May, or that you will provide actually valid OIA extension grounds. If you do not intend to comply with the Official Information Act, please make that clear as soon as possible.
Regards,
Andrew Li
From: Andrew Li
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Your response is overdue. It shouldn't take this long to consult with your bosses at the 'Israeli' 'embassy'.
When will you be responding?
Regards,
Andrew
From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora Andrew,
Thank you for getting in touch regarding your official information
request. As stated in our previous correspondence to you on this matter
(attached) on 12/05/2022, you can expect to receive a response to your
request by 23 June 2022. However, if this process is completed before 23
June 2022, the response will be sent to you as soon as possible.
Ngā mihi
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
-------------------------------------------------
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
[1]www.mfat.govt.nz | [2]www.safetravel.govt.nz
[3]cid:image001.png@01D762BA.46DA26E0
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From: Andrew Li
Dear ESD,
Your extended period for consultation expired yesterday. Your response was due yesterday. You are in violation of the OIA.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Li
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