Latest news with #NewZealandJewishCouncil


Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
NZ Jewish Council Clarifies Position: Advocating For Safety And Accountability, Not Censorship
The New Zealand Jewish Council (NZJC) categorically rejects the mischaracterisation made by the Free Speech Union that it is calling for censorship in response to the rise in antisemitism in New Zealand. Recent commentary has inaccurately portrayed the NZJC's joint statement with the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, which called for the development of a national strategy to address antisemitism, as a call for 'tougher censorship laws.' This is not the case. Our call was, and remains, for a coordinated, principled, and effective government response to antisemitism, following recent actions taken by the Australian Government. To be clear: We have not called for restrictions on free speech. We have not asked for the silencing of criticism of Israel or advocacy for Palestinian rights. We are not seeking to criminalise opinions or suppress debate. We have been consistent in our position with regards to hate speech laws, even when that hate was directed at us. What we are calling for is accountability when rhetoric becomes harassment, exclusion and incitement, and when hostile environments silence and endanger others, particularly in universities, where young Jewish New Zealanders are reporting increased intimidation, marginalisation, and the inability to safely express their identity and opinions. Our position is grounded in democratic values. We believe in open discourse, but we also believe in ensuring that publicly funded institutions do not enable or ignore discrimination, whether against Jews or any other minority group. It is not 'censorship' to expect that our public institutions uphold basic standards of safety, respect, and inclusion. It is responsible governance. We welcome engagement on this issue. We believe that civil society, including groups like the Free Speech Union, can play a constructive role in helping New Zealand navigate the balance between freedom of expression and freedom from hate. But it is essential that public commentary accurately reflects the positions of those it critiques. We invite all New Zealanders, regardless of background or beliefs, to stand against antisemitism and support a national conversation that strengthens our democracy and upholds the dignity and physical safety of all.


Scoop
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Calls By Jewish Council For Censorship Will Backfire
In response to the Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism in Universities that recently recommended limiting particular speech, the New Zealand Jewish Council has called for similar action by the New Zealand Government. But threatening to silence speech, as odious as some may find it, would set a dangerous precedent and be a terrible own goal for the Jewish community, says Dane Giraud, Council member of the Free Speech Union. "Objectively, the last 18 months have witnessed an intense rise in antisemitic actions around the world, not least of all in Australia and New Zealand. Some of these actions have been unlawful and unacceptable. However, conflating such actions with the speech and opinions of individuals (such as students on university campuses) will not make a single Jew (or any Kiwi) safer. 'Calls by the New Zealand Jewish Council for our Government to implement similar recommendations such as stricter enforcement of 'hate speech' laws and removing funding from universities for failing to act against certain perspectives, is overreach and risks setting a terrifying precedent. It will affirm many conspiracies in certain people's minds that will inevitably result in greater antagonism against our (Jewish) community. 'As we've seen abroad, anyone who defies such bans can become a martyr or even cult hero. Censorship is a gift that can elevate the once obscure. Free speech is still our best tool with which to combat bigotry. There are no shortcuts here. We need to change the conversation, not crush it. 'A better response to any incredibly fraught issue is to facilitate wider conversations, encourage greater engagement between communities, and increase a focus on education. There are some terrible ideas out there, spread by very questionable people, but silencing them will only push this grievance underground, where it festers, and where it becomes much harder for people to diagnose and respond appropriately. 'Expose it to sunlight. Allow them their voice and ensure that those who wish to respond also have theirs. Bad (and hateful and vile) ideas are beaten by better ideas, not threats of funding removal and censorship.'


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.


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'.