The organizers of the march, organized by the group “Aotearoa for Palestine,” confirmed that it was the largest of its kind since the war began in 2023, according to Western media. Demonstrators in the “March for Humanity” raised Palestinian flags and banners with slogans such as “No to Normalizing Genocide,” calling on the centrist-right New Zealand coalition government to take decisive action against Israel.
The organizers had planned to close a major bridge in Auckland, but strong winds forced a change of plan. According to the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, demonstrators participated in the march held in the city center, with police estimating about 20,000 participants, confirming that the event passed without any arrests and roads were reopened after it ended.
A total of 147 countries, including Russia, have recognized Palestine, while the United States has not. In 2024, the United States vetoed Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations. Since then, 10 countries, including Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Armenia, have recognized Palestine.
Residents of the Gaza Strip are experiencing unprecedented levels of hunger, with UN organizations warning of widespread famine and increasing deaths due to malnutrition, especially among children, the sick, and people with disabilities. From October 7, 2023, to August 26 of the current year, the war on Gaza has resulted in the death of approximately 63,000 Palestinians and about 158,000 injuries, according to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.
