Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian march in New Zealands biggest city

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Thousands took part in a pro-Palestinian march in Auckland, New Zealands biggest city, on Saturday, in what organisers said was the largest rally of its kind since the war in Gaza began between Israel and militant Islamist Palestinian group Hamas.

Some 50,000 attended the March for Humanity rally in central Auckland on Saturday morning, the Aotearoa for Palestine group said. New Zealand police estimated the attendance at 20,000.

Aotearoa for Palestine spokesperson Arama Rata said it was New Zealands largest march in support of Palestinians since conflict broke out in Gaza, when Israel started an offensive in retaliation for a Hamas-led cross-border attack that killed about 1,200 people in October 2023.

Palestinian authorities have said that more than 64,000 people have been killed in the conflict in Gaza, while humanitarian organisations say a shortage of food is leading to widespread starvation.

Many in Saturdays protest crowd carried Palestinian flags and banners with slogans including Dont normalise genocide and Grow a spine stand with Palestine, public broadcaster Radio New Zealand reported.

Organisers, motivated by a march that shut down Sydneys iconic Harbour Bridge in August, wanted to close a major city bridge with Saturdays rally, Rata said, but were forced to abandon those plans on Friday due to strong winds.

Police said there were no arrests at the march and that roads along the route were being reopened.

Aotearoa for Palestine said it wanted New Zealands centre-left coalition government to impose sanctions on Israel.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in August described recent Israeli actions in Gaza, including a lack of humanitarian assistance, as utterly appalling, and New Zealand has been weighing up whether to recognise a Palestinian state.