Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick defends 'river to the sea' chant used at pro-Palestine rally
Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick defends 'river to the sea' chant used at pro-Palestine rally
David Seymour has accused Chlöe Swarbrick of repeating a pro-Hamas statement, but the Green MP dismissed the criticism as a "purposeful distraction".
Really, chloe?
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Seems conspiratorial.. never attribute malice to that which can be attributed to stupidity.
When reading the article she is actually on the right side:
"I believe that it is deeply antisemitic to conflate the actions of the Israeli government with Jewish people, not the least when Jewish peace activists worldwide are protesting these actions."
Probably assumed this was just a peace slogan.
If she wasn't defending her actions, I'd agree with you. I can understand repeating the slogan not knowing the full context, but she seems to know full well what she's doing.
That's not the impression I get at all.
She said she's taking a lead from Palestinian and Jewish peace activists. And the article has quotes from both Palestinian and Jewish representatives who see it simply as a call for freedom for an oppressed people, so that's a credible claim.
But the meaning behind what people say and how others interpret their words can be very different. It's pretty evident some people do take offense to the chant. And maybe the potential harm was more potent than any underlying good intent.
In the interview she gave with RNZ, she wasn't willing to say whether or not she would continue using the chant. Maybe she's reconsidering whether it's appropriate, and she's feel a bit whakama about the whole thing. But that's just as much conjecture as what you've said.
Anyway, my point is I don't think it's fair for you to act like this is some kind of deliberate attack.