Latest news with #HolocaustCentreofNewZealand


Scoop
a day ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Holocaust Centre Of New Zealand Signs Historic Accord Between Jewish And Muslim Communities
The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand today became a signatory to a historic accord between the Jewish and Muslim communities of Aotearoa New Zealand – the New Zealand Harmony Accord. The signing represents a commitment to peace, mutual respect, and the rejection of all forms of hatred and extremism. In a world increasingly marked by division and intolerance, this accord is a demonstration of our determination to keep dialogue alive — even when that dialogue is difficult. 'We owe it to our communities, and to future generations, to do the hard work of listening, understanding, and standing together against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia,' said Deborah Hart, Chair of the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand. 'At a time of heightened tensions and a huge increase in antisemitism, we know that peaceful coexistence isn't always easy, but it is always worth striving for' The accord is a call to action — a commitment to engage across communities and support each other in the face of antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and bigotry. 'As an organisation founded on the lessons of the Holocaust, we know where hate can lead,' Hart continued. 'Our mission has always been to educate, to remember, and to act —today is another expression of that mission in action.' The Holocaust Centre acknowledges and thanks the New Zealand Jewish Council for its leadership in bringing this accord to life, and the Muslim community leaders who contributed to its development as well, under the aegis of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities. As ever, the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand continues to draw on the lessons of the Holocaust to challenge antisemitism and all expressions of hate, and to foster a more respectful, inclusive, and peaceful Aotearoa.


Scoop
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
NZ Jewish Council And Holocaust Centre Of NZ Urge Govt Action Following Australia's Landmark Antisemitism Strategy
The New Zealand Jewish Council and the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand are calling on the New Zealand Government to urgently develop and implement a comprehensive national strategy to combat antisemitism, following the bold and principled leadership demonstrated by the Australian Government yesterday. Australia's plan, announced by Prime Minister Albanese, Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke, and Special Envoy on Antisemitism Jillian Segal, introduces strong, decisive measures aimed at tackling anti-Jewish hate across multiple sectors of society. Notably, institutions such as universities and arts organisations will face the loss of government funding if they fail to address antisemitism within their ranks. Standards are being introduced across education, public service, cultural sectors and media, reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach to hate and discrimination. In contrast, New Zealand has remained largely silent in the face of a marked and disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents, particularly in our universities. Over recent months, Jewish students and academics in Aotearoa have reported a growing climate of hostility and fear, from intimidation and exclusion to open displays of antisemitic rhetoric. We have reached a point where many no longer feel safe expressing their identity on campus. Much of this rhetoric is disguised as concern for the human rights of Palestinians or concern about Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, both positions which the Jewish Council and Holocaust Centre have repeatedly said do not constitute antisemitism. However, explicitly or tacitly endorsing violence or discrimination against Jews, including the vast majority of Jews who believe that Jewish people have the right of self-determination, is antisemitic. Jews who believe in Israel's right to exist, regardless of their position on the current war or actions of the Israeli Government, face discrimination. 'This is not theoretical,' said Ben Kepes, spokesperson for the NZ Jewish Council. "It is Jew-hate. We are hearing from young Jewish New Zealanders who avoid wearing visible symbols of their faith, who choose to remain silent in classroom discussions, and who fear for their safety. We have Holocaust survivors being retraumatised by vile slurs reappearing in public spaces. This is a crisis.' 'Antisemitism in schools is reaching epidemic proportions,' said Deborah Hart, Chair of the Holocaust Centre of NZ. 'Our children are fearful and feeling victimised with troubling frequency.' The Council and Centre support the adoption of a clear and consistent policy against antisemitism across all public institutions and call for funding mechanisms to be reviewed in line with a zero-tolerance policy toward hate. Institutions that enable or ignore antisemitic conduct should not continue to receive public support. Antisemitism has moved from the fringes to the mainstream in many Western democracies. New Zealand is not immune. What happens next will determine whether Jewish Kiwis, students, teachers, professionals, artists, and community members continue to feel they have a place in the Aotearoa we all call home. The Australian Government has recognised the danger and acted. We urge our leaders to do the same.


NZ Herald
07-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Antisemitic hate graffiti in Wellington, Jewish Council speaks out
'It's bizarre and upsetting and frightening and galling and all of those sorts of things,' he said. 'More broadly it tells a story about where we are in New Zealand.' Kepes said Jewish people in Aotearoa had experienced an increase in antisemitism over the past several years. 'Leaders in our community in New Zealand make statements without thinking, that embolden people... it does make it cool to say these sorts of things again.' He said the graffiti was 'a direct result of those sorts of positionings'. Jewish community members have recently experienced multiple incidents, including abuse at schools, attempted arson attacks and death threats, he said. 'Once again, those things happen because political leaders make flippant statements without thinking about the consequences. 'For example, when New Zealand political leaders support calls to 'globalise the intifada', they are repeating a call for an armed, violent uprising not only against Jews, but against Western society more generally. 'We call on all leaders to think before they parrot slogans from overseas that could target our vulnerable Jewish community here.' He said classic antisemitic tropes, insults and abuse were being used 'under the guise of protest against Israel's war in Gaza'. He said the graffiti could have been something seen 'daubed across German streets in the 1930s'. 'No matter what is going on internationally or politically, New Zealand Jews should be safe and secure in New Zealand. They should not wake to hateful messages in our streets.' Holocaust Centre of New Zealand chairwoman Deborah Hart said the graffiti was 'alas, quite accurate. 'It would appear, once again, to be cool to hate Jews. 'We actually see that in a stark increase in Jew hatred, the lacklustre response of schools when Jewish children are subjected to abuse, the deplatforming of Jewish artists, hate mail, property damage and the lack of concern for Jewish people generally. 'The small Jewish community in New Zealand is vulnerable and has suffered ongoing hate, which shows no signs of abating.' She said the Holocaust 'started with hate'. 'It's time for all to condemn antisemitism, in all its forms and to take care in their messaging.'


Scoop
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Hatred Of Jews Is Condemned In Aotearoa New Zealand
Press Release – Holocaust Centre of New Zealand Ms Hart commented, Its chilling to recall the horrific events over 80 years ago, half a world away. The Holocaust started with hate. It ended in the Holocaust. Its time for all to condemn antisemitism, in all its forms and to take care in … The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand and the New Zealand Jewish Council condemn the vile antisemitic graffiti that appeared overnight in our capital city, Wellington. Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, chair, Deborah Hart said, 'This graffiti is, alas, quite accurate. It would appear, once again, to be cool to hate Jews. We actually see that in a stark increase in Jew hatred, the lacklustre response of schools when Jewish children are subjected to abuse, the deplatforming of Jewish artists, hate mail, property damage and the lack of concern for Jewish people generally. The small Jewish community in New Zealand is vulnerable and has suffered ongoing hate, which shows no signs of abating.' New Zealand Jewish Council spokesperson, Ben Kepes, says, 'Under the guise of protest against Israel's war in Gaza, classic antisemitic tropes, insults and abuse are rife. The Jewish community has been targeted, intimidated and discriminated against through physical attacks, threats of violence, boycotts of Jewish businesses and careers and harassment of students. Such actions would never be justified or tolerated against any other minority under the guise of opposition to overseas events.' 'The graffiti we saw daubed across a public space in Wellington this morning could have been once daubed across German streets in the 1930s. Then, like now, some leaders are emboldening citizens to find a scapegoat on whom to place blame for all manner of ills. For example, when New Zealand political leaders support calls to 'Globalise the Intifada', they are repeating a call for an armed, violent uprising not only against Jews, but against Western society more generally. We call on all leaders to think before they parrot slogans from overseas that could target our vulnerable Jewish community here' Ms Hart commented, 'It's chilling to recall the horrific events over 80 years ago, half a world away. The Holocaust started with hate. It ended in the Holocaust. It's time for all to condemn antisemitism, in all its forms and to take care in their messaging.' Mr Kepes said, 'No matter what is going on internationally or politically, New Zealand Jews should be safe and secure in New Zealand. They should not wake to hateful messages in our streets'.


Scoop
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Hatred Of Jews Is Condemned In Aotearoa New Zealand
The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand and the New Zealand Jewish Council condemn the vile antisemitic graffiti that appeared overnight in our capital city, Wellington. Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, chair, Deborah Hart said, 'This graffiti is, alas, quite accurate. It would appear, once again, to be cool to hate Jews. We actually see that in a stark increase in Jew hatred, the lacklustre response of schools when Jewish children are subjected to abuse, the deplatforming of Jewish artists, hate mail, property damage and the lack of concern for Jewish people generally. The small Jewish community in New Zealand is vulnerable and has suffered ongoing hate, which shows no signs of abating.' New Zealand Jewish Council spokesperson, Ben Kepes, says, 'Under the guise of protest against Israel's war in Gaza, classic antisemitic tropes, insults and abuse are rife. The Jewish community has been targeted, intimidated and discriminated against through physical attacks, threats of violence, boycotts of Jewish businesses and careers and harassment of students. Such actions would never be justified or tolerated against any other minority under the guise of opposition to overseas events.' 'The graffiti we saw daubed across a public space in Wellington this morning could have been once daubed across German streets in the 1930s. Then, like now, some leaders are emboldening citizens to find a scapegoat on whom to place blame for all manner of ills. For example, when New Zealand political leaders support calls to "Globalise the Intifada", they are repeating a call for an armed, violent uprising not only against Jews, but against Western society more generally. We call on all leaders to think before they parrot slogans from overseas that could target our vulnerable Jewish community here' Ms Hart commented, 'It's chilling to recall the horrific events over 80 years ago, half a world away. The Holocaust started with hate. It ended in the Holocaust. It's time for all to condemn antisemitism, in all its forms and to take care in their messaging.' Mr Kepes said, 'No matter what is going on internationally or politically, New Zealand Jews should be safe and secure in New Zealand. They should not wake to hateful messages in our streets'.