Destiny Church and pro-Palestinian protesters clash outside TVNZ headquarters over Israel-Hamas conflict

Destiny Church followers have clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters this afternoon outside TVNZ’s Auckland headquarters over the bloody Israel-Hamas conflict.

About 35 police officers are at the scene to separate rival groups, as the protest spread onto the road and a bikie revving his motorcycle set off multiple car alarms at SkyCity.

Police confirmed one protester was pepper sprayed.

It comes on the one-year anniversary of the bloody October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, which killed 1200 Israelis and sparked the brutal and prolonged Gaza war.

Pro-Palestinian protesters are shouting: “Ceasefire now.”

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki’s followers are shouting “Free the hostages” in response.

Several members of the public can be seen stopping and filming the back-and-forth.

Pro-Palestinian supporters outside the TVNZ building on Hobson St in central Auckland. Photo / Dean Purcell

Pro-Israel supporters outside the TVNZ building. Photo / Dean Purcell

A reporter at the scene said both sides appeared quite hostile towards each other with a lot of shouting, but the protest remained fairly calm.

About 15 police are standing on the sidewalk opposite TVNZ on Hobson St in front of pro-Palestinian protesters.

Twenty or so police officers are positioned on the TVNZ side in front of Tamaki and the pro-Israel supporters.

A lot of cars are driving past beeping, the reporter said. There is constant shouting from the pro-Palestinian supporters.

Pro-Israel protesters are now crossing the road, blocking Hobson St.

“They’re just standing in the middle of the road shouting at each other,” the reporter said.

“One bikie is now revving his motorcycle in the middle of the road, setting off multiple car alarms parked in SkyCity.”

Two more motorcyclists have attempted to enter Hobson St but were turned away by police and told to leave.

Protesters have now returned to their respective sides.

Police are guarding the stairs to TVNZ as protesters gather on the corner of Hobson St and Victoria St West.

A police spokesperson said protesters had been “largely well behaved” and no arrests had been made. Officers continued to monitor events.

Pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian supporters clash outside the TVNZ building in central Auckland. Photo / Dean Purcell

Earlier today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said: “We remember the monstrous, brutal and horrific attack on Israel by Hamas where 1200 Israelis were killed – the greatest loss of Jewish life since World War II, where 251 hostages were taken, and reprehensibly one year on, the hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza.”

Luxon said New Zealand called for the hostages’ unconditional and immediate release.

The Hamas terrorist attacks had set in motion an unacceptable spate of violence in the Middle East, he said.

“It has caused human suffering and impacted innocent civilians on a huge scale and an escalating conflict in the Middle East is just not what the world needs.

”The continued loss of life is really appalling, and the violence must end. There is simply no military action that will reduce regional tensions and conflict – peace will only come from diplomacy and negotiation – and ultimately a two-state solution enabling Palestinians and Israelis to live together in dignity and peace.”

New Zealand continued to call for a ceasefire, for restraint and for de-escalation, “not for retaliation and reprisal”, Luxon said.

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