Boyack RachelRACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson): I move That at the commencement of the motion the following words be added: That this House express its deep sadness and regret at the loss of life occurring in Gaza and Israel and recognise the grief of communities in New Zealand who have connections with those in the conflict".May I begin today by thanking the foreign Minister for moving this motion in the House today. The New Zealand Labour Party has been for weeks urgently calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel to put a halt to the appalling attacks and violence so that a journey to a lasting peace can begin. I am certain I speak for all members in this House when I say that we are horrified at the loss of life in Israel and Gaza. The latest reports have 1200 people killed as a result of Hamas' attack on Israel on 7 October while at least 16000 Palestinians have been killed since then according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Many more have been unlawfully captured seriously injured and displaced. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza grows worse by the day with millions unable to access food water medical care shelter and fuel and trapped in a tiny area the size of Wellington with nowhere to go to.The death toll of children in the conflict is horrific. More than 7000 Palestinian children have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. More children have been killed in Gaza than in all the world's conflicts combined in each of the past three years. When I see images of young children in Gaza killed while playing football I think of my young nephews who are football mad but who can play the beautiful game here in New Zealand safely and without fear. The children of Gaza deserve hope and a future.The Labour Party acknowledges those New Zealanders who have family friends workmates and acquaintances in Israel and Gaza who are affected by the conflict and who are living in fear. Our hearts go out to you and we stand with you in love during these horrific and distressing times.I am a practising Christian and my plea and my prayer is for a Middle East and a Holy Land where people of all faiths—Jewish Muslim and Christian people; people of other faiths or no faith; people from all backgrounds all ethnicities and all walks of life—may live together in equality freedom peace and safety.We are a proud country of peacekeeping. We are a peacekeeping nation and we have an obligation as a nation to continue to call for peace in the Holy Land. My parents have travelled to the Holy Land and led pilgrimages in the region where they have met and shared with leaders and ordinary people from all faiths and backgrounds who live and work in the region. People who live and reside in the region do not want this conflict or the death and destruction that the world is witnessing. They want peace.My mother has shared the following prayer with me from the Very Rev. Canon Richard Sewell Dean of Saint George's College Jerusalem which I'll finish my contribution with today: "Sovereign God we pray for political military and religious leaders involved in this conflict to show genuine willingness to work towards a better future for all Palestinians Jews and others living in the region. We long for dignity mercy justice peace and love to triumph so please grant wisdom and courage to those with authority across the world working to end this war. … Amen.""