The New Zealand Jewish Council is deeply concerned by an escalating pattern of online harassment, vilification and threats directed at Jewish New Zealanders and those who speak publicly on behalf of the Jewish community.
In recent days, Jewish community representatives have been subjected to hostile social media posts, personal attacks and explicit threats of violence.
One social media post called for a Jewish community leader to be run over by a car. In a separate message sent to a New Zealand social media group, an individual called for the eradication of Jews from society, celebrated the Holocaust and the 7 October attacks, and expressed the hope that a new “final solution” would succeed. Individuals are singled out with photos alongside inflammatory and defamatory comments.
These are not simply expressions of political disagreement. They are threats and expressions of hatred that have no place in New Zealand.
“We have always accepted that people will have strong and sometimes deeply opposing views about Israel, Gaza and the wider Middle East conflict. New Zealanders have every right to protest, to criticise governments and to advocate for political change,” said Council spokesperson, Ben Kepes
“But there is a fundamental difference between criticising a government’s actions and targeting individuals with abuse, intimidation and threats of violence.
“When people publicly call for Jewish New Zealanders to be physically attacked, celebrate the murder of Jews or advocate for their extermination, we have moved well beyond political debate.
“What is particularly troubling is the environment in which this behaviour is occurring. Increasingly inflammatory rhetoric, personal targeting and the casual use of dehumanising language risk normalising hostility towards Jewish New Zealanders.
“People do not have to agree with the Jewish Council. But disagreement cannot become an excuse for intimidation, and no one should have to accept threats of violence as the price of participating in public debate.”
While such material is not necessarily unlawful in itself, the Council believes those with public platforms have a responsibility to consider the consequences of their language, particularly in an environment where explicit threats are already being made.
The Council calls on political leaders, religious leaders, activist organisations and other civil society groups to unequivocally condemn threats and harassment, regardless of the political views of those responsible.
“Free speech is fundamental to our democracy. So is the ability of people to participate in public life without fearing for their safety,” Kepes said.
“We should be able to disagree passionately about international affairs without importing hatred and intimidation into our own communities.
“This is not just about the Jewish community. It is about the sort of country we want New Zealand to be.”
ENDS