KEY POINTS:
A Wellington Christian group and members of the public held a "die-in" in the city centre to protest the Gaza conflict this afternoon.
Wrapped in bandages covered in fake blood, 150 people, including a number of young children, met in Civic Square and lay on the ground while a drum beat 844 times to symbolise the 831 Palestinians and 13 Israelis killed in the month-long conflict.
The protest was organised by a group called Christians for Justice in Palestine, who said they were "shocked into action" by Israeli attacks on Gaza, and could not "stay neutral".
Father Gerard Burns, who drew attention last week when he smeared blood and paint on an Israeli memorial, said today he was delighted with the number of people who took part in the protest.
He declined to comment on his actions last week, saying only that there were various forms of protest.
Commenting on banners at other marches which placed the Star of David alongside swastikas and compared Israel to the Nazis, Father Burns said: "...I would just say the blood of Palestinians is of equal value to the blood of anyone else".
After the die-in, a delegation of protesters planned to take a petition to Parliament calling for the Government to cut ties with the Israeli Embassy in Canberra, prevent exports from New Zealand which could support military attacks, and increased aid and support for Palestine.
- NZPA
