new zealand 2005

 

In 2005, there were 15 reported incidents of antisemitism, a reduction of 40 percent compared to the previous year when 25 incidents were reported, mostly in the wake of the arrest of two Israelis who were accused of being Mossad agents. Most manifestations in 2005 were abusive e-mails, letters and phone calls.

 

the jewish community

The number of Jews in New Zealand is estimated at 10,000, or 0.23 percent of the general population of about 4.2 million. Although, historically, New Zealand has been perceived as a safe and antisemitic free country, over the past few years this image, perhaps influenced by local and international events, has changed. The New Zealand Jewish Council represents the community’s political interests to the government. The Community Security Group (CSG), which operates under the umbrella of the Council, works with the New Zealand police to protect Jewish life and the Jewish way of life by facilitating the rapid resolution of antisemitic offenses and threats to the community.

 

extremist organizations

The most openly extreme right-wing group in New Zealand is the National Front. Their membership is small (they did not manage to submit the 500 signatures required to register as a political party in June 2005). In May 2005, Kyle Chapman, leader of the National Front, reportedly stepped down and was replaced by Sid Wilson. In August, two Front members vandalized mosques in response to the July 2005 London bombings. They were arrested and convicted. Members of the National Front were found to have joined various New Zealand Jewish mailing lists. They posted radical right-wing views (including antisemitic material) on online forums, including personal details of members of the Jewish community. The New Zealand police did not arrest any of these individuals over the postings since, they claimed, their activities were not in breach of any New Zealand laws.

New Zealand is not generally considered in terms of terrorist activity. However, the 2004 Security Intelligence Service (SIS) report revealed that there were individuals in or from New Zealand who supported Islamic extremist causes. They indicated “attempts to use New Zealand as a safe haven from which activities of security concern elsewhere can be facilitated and/or the involvement of people from New Zealand in such activities.” The New Zealand Herald reported that a small group of Maori Muslims were being recruited in prison and claimed to support Usama bin Ladin. The New Zealand Federation of Islamic Associations is reportedly funding this group. It is noteworthy that the rabbi of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation received an Islamic-style written and oral threat in 2003.

 

antisemitic activity

Antisemitic activity in New Zealand is usually limited to offensive e-mails, letters and occasional vandalism, sometimes punctuated by more serious events such as arson attacks or bomb threats, such as those received in August 2004 and April 2005. Actual physical attacks on New Zealand Jews have not been reported since 1991.

            It should be noted that in early 2004 two Israeli nationals were arrested and accused of being Mossad spies. News revelations of the incident and subsequent developments provoked a series of antisemitic incidents. In August and September, headstones of Jewish graves were smashed or desecrated in two cemeteries in and around Wellington and Wanganui, and a Jewish prayer house was burned in the Wellington area, while in Auckland the car of the rabbi of the Hebrew congregation was vandalized (a Star of David and the words ‘Mossad’ and ‘traitor’ were scratched on it).

In 2005, there were 15 reported incidents of antisemitism, a reduction of 40 percent compared to the previous year when 25 incidents were reported. Nine antisemitic events were recorded in 2003. Fifty-three percent in 2005 comprised e-mails, letters and phone calls from right-wing inspired groups or mentally unstable people in psychological care. The remaining 47 percent consisted of: graffiti and vandalism (21 percent); verbal abuse and intimidation (13 percent); suspicious objects (‘bomb threats’) left at Jewish institutions (such as a briefcase found outside a door to the Auckland Hebrew Congregation in April; 13 percent).

E-mails and letters from right-wing groups included references to Adolf Hitler, as well as swastikas, which also featured in vandalistic incidents.

            Labour MP John Tamihere reportedly declared in April in an interview (which Tamihere claims was off the record) to Interview Magazine in reference to Maori grievances, that he was “sick and tired of hearing how many Jews got gassed [in the Holocaust].” Prime Minister Helen Clark (Labour) called Tamihere’s remarks offensive, and unacceptable to the party. Tamihere has been placed on extended leave.