Auckland witnessed what is being described as the largest protest in New Zealand’s history on Saturday, as thousands gathered in solidarity with Palestine. Organizers from “Aotearoa for Palestine” claimed that nearly 50,000 people joined the rally, while New Zealand police placed the turnout closer to 20,000.
The demonstration, marked by a sea of Palestinian flags, banners and chants, was part of a broader international wave of protests sparked by the ongoing Gaza conflict. Protesters voiced anger over the heavy civilian toll in Gaza, accusing Israel of committing genocide and demanding stronger action from governments worldwide.
Placards carried messages such as “Don’t normalise genocide,” “Grow a spine, stand with Palestine” and “SANCTION ISRAEL.”One slogan in particular, “We don’t want no two states, we want all the ’48,” highlighted the rejection by some demonstrators of the two-state solution traditionally advocated in peace talks, instead calling for the reclamation of all lands within the 1948 borders.
The rally’s demands echoed the goals of the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which urges economic and political pressure on Israel in response to its policies towards Palestinians. Supporters of BDS often compare it to the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.
Observers noted the scale and intensity of the Auckland rally as reflective of growing public pressure on governments, including New Zealand’s, to reassess foreign policy positions in light of the Gaza crisis. For many participants, the event was not just about solidarity but also about urging concrete steps such as sanctions—against Israel.
While estimates of turnout differed, both figures pointed to an unprecedented mobilization in New Zealand, underscoring how deeply the Palestinian cause has resonated with segments of the country’s population.
