Planned public meeting in Christchurch promoting terror group angers Jewish Council

Palestinian members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) take part in a military show in Gaza (photo credit: REUTERS)

The Canterbury Socialist Society has drawn sharp criticism from the Jewish Council for its plans to hold a public meeting tomorrow night in Christchurch promoting an entity recognised as a terrorist organisation by multiple nations.

The society published a promotional Facebook post, using a poster showcasing Leila Khaled—a figure infamous for her role in the 1969 hijacking of TWA Flight 840.

The poster said "resistance is not terrorism," while supporting the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

The PFLP has a notorious history of violence, including plane hijackings, bombings, and shootings.

The meeting, to be held at a private central city music venue, even elicited caution from far-left activist Byron Clark, who reflected on the personal cost of such involvement: “my advice to anyone thinking of getting involved with this campaign is to consider if you're prepared to live the rest of your life in poverty as a result of it. When potential employers Google me, the third result is an article labeling me a 'terrorist fundraiser'... I wonder if it was all worth it.”

The meeting is in response to the war in Gaza, which Israel said was in retaliation for attacks on Israeli territory on October the 7th, led by Hamas, which killed 1,139 people and took 250 captive.

According to the Associated Press, 33,137 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war started.

Gaza’s health ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but had previously said women and children made up around two-thirds of those killed.

New Zealand Jewish Council spokeswoman Juliet Moses

Juliet Moses from the Jewish Council said they were “deeply concerned by this event and its potential impact on both the Jewish Community, Christchurch and the country as a whole. 

“While the PFLP is not designated a terrorist group in New Zealand, it is by the US, EU, Canada and other countries and is responsible for plane hijackings, bombings, and shootings around the world.

“It rejects any form of peace process and is committed to the destruction of Israel. All terrorists consider themselves to have legitimate grievances and to be “resisting” whoever they believe to be responsible for those grievances.

“We hope that the good people of Christchurch, of all places, will understand this and reject any attempt to garner support for terrorism in their city. 

“At a time when tensions are particularly high and the Jewish community is required to take extra security measures to protect itself, we consider this campaign to not only be irresponsible, but deliberately provocative, and we call on government and civil society leaders to condemn this event and its promotion of violence and division.”

A Canterbury Socialist Society spokesperson said while the society was hosting the launch, it had not adopted the project as part of its activity.

“Any specific questions about the campaign should be directed to those involved via their website.

"The Canterbury Socialist Society is a primarily educational organisation that hosts monthly talks on a vast array of topics. 

"As indicated in the event on Facebook, and in all our communications, we are hosting this talk but we are not the organisation launching the campaign.

"We believe in the free discussion of ideas, free speech, and freedom of association.

“The PFLP are not a proscribed organisation in this country, and considering the current relevance of the situation in Gaza, it seemed appropriate to have an opportunity to learn about a self-identified socialist organisation in Palestine.

"We understand the topic is contentious, or even objectionable to some - as it would have been at various points to host a talk about the African National Congress, or Sinn Féin. 

We do not believe that in itself is a good reason to decline the opportunity for open dialogue" the spokesperson said. 

Chris Lynch Media has contacted the The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Christchurch campaign organisers for comment.