Asia Pacific Report
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) has asked for an urgent meeting with Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and is calling for “cohesive action” over escalating attacks by Israel supporters against Palestinians and human rights activists.
The network said in a statement a rock had been hurled through the window of New Plymouth activists Kate and Grant Cole last week.
Co-chair Maher Nazzal said attacks from Zionist supporters had become “more frequent and dangerous” over the past year.
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“In the case of the Coles, the rock through their window was just the latest in a series of targeted attacks on them and their property,” he said in the statement.
“They have twice endured spray-painted Israeli flags on their fence. Their car tyres were slashed on four different occasions. They had vile lies about them delivered in letterboxes around their neighbourhood.
“This time, it was a rock flung through their window with the message ‘Snap Action — REQ’ attached.”
Nazzal said local police had failed to take these attacks seriously. They had suggested to the Coles that they should “spend a lot of money on security systems”.
He said attacks on activists were increasing even before US President Donald Trump’s “failed ceasefire agreement” for Gaza was signed last October 10.
Pro-Israel lobby ‘has failed’
“The pro-Israel lobby is upset their side has failed to keep the genocide in Gaza completely out of public view,” Nazzal said.
“They have lost the debate. Poll responses show New Zealanders register two to one that New Zealand should sanction Israel for genocide and recognise a Palestinian state.
“Israelis and Israel’s supporters are taking their shock and frustration out on Palestine solidarity activists.
“In the past couple of weeks alone, two women activists were stalked after a protest in Auckland.
“There was spray painting and vandalism of PSNA co-chair John Minto’s home, an assault on a supporter by an ex-IDF soldier in Auckland and attacks on our supporters in Napier.”
Nazzal said that while the police had been vigorous in investigating and prosecuting anyone they believed to have been acting for Palestinian rights — such as the broken window at Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ home and an assault on an Israeli soldier holidaying here — they were slow to follow up on attacks on Palestine supporters.
He said the police were keen to “pull out all stops” for the Israeli Embassy to defend Israeli soldiers “fresh from a genocide in Gaza — but can’t find the time to take attacks on Palestinians and Palestinian supporters seriously.”
The police have yet to comment on PSNA’s claims.
This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
APR editor | Radio Free (2026-01-28T08:24:01+00:00) PSNA seeks urgent police talks after ‘rock through window’ attack on Palestine supporters. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2026/01/28/psna-seeks-urgent-police-talks-after-rock-through-window-attack-on-palestine-supporters/
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