From:
s9(2)(g)(ii)
(Inet)
Sent:
Thursday, 21 April 2022 3:21 pm
To:
s9(2)(g)(ii)
Subject:
FW: Proposed tweet regarding recent escalation in Israeli/Palestinian violence
Attachments:
Proposed tweet regarding escalation in Israeli 2004.docx
FYI! Unless you think MFA should do it?
s9(2)(g)(ii)
Senior Press Secretary (Office of Hon Nanaia Mahuta)
s9(2)(a)
From: s9(2)(g)(ii)
Sent: Thursday, 21 April 2022 2:36 PM
To: s9(2)(g)(ii)
Cc: s9(2)(g)(ii)
Subject: Proposed tweet regarding recent escalation in Israeli/Palestinian violence
Kia oras9(2)(g)(ii)
In s9(2)(g)(ii) absence -
MFAT recommends issuing a tweet from the MFAT twitter account regarding the recent escalation in
under the
Israeli/Palestinian violence. Proposed text: “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply concerned about the escalation of
tensions at holy sites in Jerusalem, and in Gaza. We call on both sides to exercise restraint and stop the cycle of
provocation and violence.” (172 char)
If you are comfortable with this, MFAT will go ahead and issue the tweet.
Ngā mihi
s9(2)(g)
(ii)
Background
Al-Aqsa Mosque Raids
On Friday 15 April 2022, Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque using tear gas shells and sound bombs, injuring over 150
Released
Palestinians in the clash. On Sunday 17 April, police again entered the mosque compound, fuelling clashes that left a further
17 Palestinians wounded.
Israel said its forces entered before dawn prayers on Friday to remove rocks and stones that it said had been collected in
anticipation of violence. Police said they entered the compound again on Sunday to facilitate the routine visit of Jews to the
Official Information Act
holy site. Videos circulating online of Friday’s events showed Palestinians throwing rocks and police firing tear gas and stun
grenades.
s6(a)
The competing claims to the site have sparked numerous rounds of violence, including repeated
clashes at the site last year which led to an 11-day war with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
This is the most serious violence at the holy site in nearly a year. s6(a)
On Sunday 17 April, the Arab Party (Ra'am) announced it would temporarily halt its coalition membership in the
Government of Israel in wake of clashes in Al-Aqsa. s6(a)
1
Gaza Rocket Attacks
Late in the evening of Monday 18 April, a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory. The rocket was
intercepted by the Iron Dome air defence system, and crashed into the sea off Tel Aviv. No faction has as yet claimed
responsibility for the rocket strike. This is the first such attack since 1 January.
Hours later, the Israeli air force said it had hit a Hamas weapons manufacturing site in retaliation. Hamas claims to have
used its “anti-aircraft defence” to counter the air raids, which caused no casualties, according to witnesses and security
sources in Gaza.
The UN Security Council convened an emergency closed-door session on Tuesday 19 April to discuss the recent unrest, and
hear from the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, following a request by France,
China, Ireland, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates.
Relevant tweets and statements
This proposed tweet is in line with the tweets and statements issued by other countries, as summarised in the table below.
s6(a)
the Act
under
Information
Released
Official
2
s6(a)
the Act
under
Information
Released
Official
3
From:
s9(2)(g)(ii)
Sent:
Tuesday, 19 April 2022 3:28 pm
To:
s9(2)(g)(ii)
Cc:
s9(2)(g)(ii)
Subject:
FW: Urgent letter for the Minister
Attachments:
AL Aqsa attack - Nanaia Mahuta - 15 April 2022.docx
This letter is seeking a media statement or tweet so sharing with you both for advice.
I’ve not seen reporting of the violence today. Maybe mfat to advise on that as the starting point.
s9(2)(g)(ii)
Sent with BlackBerry Work
(www.blackberry.com)
the
Act
From: Foreign Affairs Portfolio <[email address]>
Date: Tuesday, 19 Apr 2022, 3:25 PM
To: s9(2)(g)(ii)
ESD <[email address]>
Subject: FW: Urgent letter for the Minister
under
Correspondence from s9(2)(a)
Which will require urgent action, I am assuming?
s9(2)(g)(ii)
Private Secretary | Office of Hon Nanaia Mahuta MP
Minister of Foreign Affairs | Minister of Local Government | Associate Minister for Māori Development
M: s9(2)(a)
Information
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Released
From: s9(2)(g)(ii)
Sent: Tuesday, 19 April 2022 8:31 AM
To: MFAT Correspondence ([email address]) <[email address]>
Cc: Foreign Affairs Portfolio <[email address]>
Subject: FW: Urgent letter for the Minister
Official
From: s9(2)(a)
Sent: Friday, 15 April 2022 9:44 PM
To: N Mahuta (MIN) <[Nanaia Mahuta request email]>
Subject: Urgent letter for the Minister
Please pass this letter on to the minister urgently.
Nā,
1
s9(2)(a)
the Act
under
Information
Released
Official
2
