A Call to Conscience: Reject Hatred, Protect Peace in Aotearoa NZ

Antisemitic Trouble in Travellers Paradise

Jewish travellers throughout the world have felt the heat of the massive surge in Jew hatred. Visitors to New Zealand have not been exempt. For many years Israelis have journeyed to this beautiful country for rest and recreation. Many New Zealanders have enjoyed hosting Israeli travellers and building relationships.  In recent times, anti-Israel activists have become increasingly hostile towards Israeli tourists. Veteran anti-Israel activist John Minto has even gone so far as to put out a poster on social media, entitled ‘Genocide Hotline’, targetting “Israeli soldiers holidaying in New Zealand” and calling on his followers to “track them down so we can let them know they are not welcome”. This is abhorrent. It is reminiscent of 1940s Europe. It is a direct result of the months of misinformation via mainstream media. Many have ignored the fact that Israel is fighting against a radical Islamist group that started a war Israel didn’t want and that they have vowed to repeat the atrocities of 7 October over and over again. The dehumanisation and demonisation of Israelis, and delegitimization of Israel’s just cause to defend its people against ongoing attacks, fits Natan Sharansky’s famous 3D definition of antisemitism.

The NZ Police and Human Rights Commission have been notified and politicians have been informed. We encourage readers to take action, by notifying police and politicians. We hope that authorities will take this matter seriously. Complaints about Minto’s Facebook page can be filed here:

In addition, we as Māori and Indigenous people, are deeply disturbed to see visitors to our land treated in this way. Manaakitanga, hospitality, is highly valued amongst our people, and it is distressing to see our Jewish and Israeli whanau subject to these racist attacks.

A number of groups have signed the attached joint statement for circulation.

Joint Statement

A Call to Conscience: Reject Hatred, Protect Peace in Aotearoa NZ

Activist John Minto has called for public action to “hunt down”  “Israeli soldiers” in New Zealand, using grotesque Germanic WW2 and modern warfare imagery. This alarming and deeply unsettling declaration has shaken the very values that define our nation. Coming, mere days before the annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day, it evokes chilling echoes of history’s darkest chapters where hateful rhetoric led to unimaginable atrocities.

It is unthinkable that such an action should be allowed in the midst of the summer tourism season when the nation is on show and full of tourists from all over the world. What would any fair-minded tourist think of such behaviour and what does it say about New Zealand. But it doesn’t stop there. Why should New Zealanders who happened to be born in a particular country, be targeted alongside one group of visitors. What law did they break?

John Minto has used his position within the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) to incite violence and to encourage others to take action in this hateful arena and they have responded in person and on social media. Rather than tolerate others, Minto has chosen the path of hate. We say enough is enough. We have respected his right to protest even to yell abuse and hatred at us and employ excessive extreme slogans. But Minto has gone far too far this time and he needs to be held to account by being condemned and exposed.

We as Kiwis must rise up above this divisive rhetoric and stand united in rejecting hatred such as Minto’s. Let this moment serve as a moral line in the sand. We urge leaders, institutions and every day citizens to denounce these inflammatory remarks and re-commit to the principles of justice, respect and inclusivity that define us.

The lessons from history are clear: silence in the face of evil is complicity. What person would tolerate this action if their family members were demonised and hunted down?

We are calling on New Zealanders to stand up and say NO to Minto and his ilk.

This is a key moment in time. We must protect the soul of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Yifat Goddard, Rob Berg, Israel New Zealand Network

Tony Kan, New Zealand Friends of Israel

Dr. David Cumin, Ashley Church and Perry Trotter, Israel Institute of NZ

Hon Alfred Ngaro & Dr Sheree Trotter, Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem

Bryce Turner, Christians For Israel NZ

Nigel Woodley, For The Protection of Zion Trust, Flaxmere Christian Fellowship Church, Coalition of Ministers Supporting Israel, Ebenezer Operation Exodus

Derek McDowell, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

Todd and Julia Vincent, ICEJ Northland

Joanna Moss Wellington