Israel-Hamas conflict: Brian Tamaki-led pro-Israel protest faces off with pro-Palestine demonstrators in Wellington

Watch: Footage from the protest. Credits: Newshub

Brian Tamaki is leading a protest in Wellington on Thursday afternoon calling for New Zealand to support Israel in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.   

Tamaki, who is the leader of Destiny Church, will hold a protest on the lawns of Parliament, scheduled to start at 12:30pm in support of Israel following the October 7 attack by Hamas.   

Tamaki and his followers will sing the New Zealand and Israel national anthems before presenting a petition to Members of Parliament.   

He is calling for Hamas and Hezbollah to be declared terrorist organisations in New Zealand and for any MPs who supports them to be expelled from Parliament.  

A Newshub reporter at the lawns of Parliament said there were at least 300 people there at 1:30pm.

Tamaki told Newshub from the protest it's too premature for a ceasefire until Israel "completely eliminates and exterminates Hamas".

"I am against anyone being hurt, the world's at war, New Zealand is at war with itself - I'm against it," he said.

He is calling on the new Government to "not sit on the fence" and take a stand.

"Our new Government needs to make a very clear defiant stand for Israel... you have to take sides here, not sit on the fence," Tamaki told Newshub.

"The other thing is, I will say very strongly that it's not the time for a ceasefire, it's premature for any ceasefire to happen now until Israel completely destroys a terrorist organisation that made it clear that there will be many October the 7th upon Israel. "

But he went on to say that ultimately he would like to see a ceasefire. 

A pro-Palestine counter-protest is also planned by the Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition, which began at 12pm outside the Supreme Court.  

A Newshub reporter at the scene said at 12:20pm around 150 counter-protesters had gathered.  

Many of them could be seen holding a Palestine flag, while others had signs that read "Free Palestine" and "Toot for Gaza". 

Newshub cameras have captured Wellington motorists tooting in support of Palestine and the pro-Palestine protests can be heard chanting "Stop bombing Palestine".

A member of the counter-protest told Newshub New Zealand can't sit back and do nothing.

"I think it's really important for me to be here today because it's pretty much the greatest attack on an ethnic group that we've seen in a whole generation. We are seeing a genocide unfold before our eyes and if we do sit back and do nothing about it then I think we would be on the wrong side of history."

Another pro-Palestinian protester told Newshub the "minimum" the new Government should be doing is calling for a ceasefire.

Police told Newshub they are aware of the planned protests in Wellington on Thursday and will be monitoring the event with a team of officers present as a precaution.    

"Police have been engaging with the protest group and have given advice on how to protest safely and legally," a police spokesperson said.    

"Police recognise the lawful right to protest. Our role in the case of any protest is to keep the peace and ensure the safety of everyone involved."   

The spokesperson confirmed there are no plans for roads to be closed or cordons to be put in place. 

It comes after it was reported earlier on Thursday that Foreign Minister Winston Peters is expected to call on all parties involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict - including countries with influence in the region - to "take urgent steps towards establishing a ceasefire".   

RNZ reports that Peters will ask Parliament on Thursday to recognise Israel's right to defend itself, acting in accordance with international law and that all civilians be protected from armed conflict.