Latest news with #NewZealandJewishCouncil
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
New Zealand's Muslim And Jewish Organisations Join As Signatories To The Harmony Accord At Government House
Today, leaders from New Zealand's Muslim and Jewish organisations gathered at Government House in Auckland to present the New Zealand Harmony Accord to the Governor-General, the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro. This landmark agreement affirms their shared commitment to promoting understanding, rejecting hate, and strengthening social cohesion in New Zealand. 'This Accord is a powerful statement of unity, courage, and compassion,' says Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand. 'It reminds us that dialogue, even when difficult, is the foundation of a peaceful and inclusive nation. I commend those who have worked so tirelessly to bring this vision to life.' 'To the leaders here today, you have my deepest respect. Your commitment to dialogue, to mutual respect, and to standing together in difficult times is something we can all learn from. Thank you for your leadership and for the example you have set,' says Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for Ethnic Communities. More than 70 guests attended, including Members of Parliament, senior faith leaders, and community representatives. Participants and guests at the ceremony included Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Derby, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, Juliet Moses (President of the New Zealand Jewish Council), Ibrar Sheikh (President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand), Phillip Green (Jewish Community Security Group), Avigail Allan (Dayenu), and Salman Momin, Member for New Zealand, (The Aga Khan Council for Australia and New Zealand). This Accord is about enabling diverse perspectives to co-exist and mutual respect still afforded even through challenging times,' says Mervin Singham, Chief Executive of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities. 'It speaks to the everyday New Zealander who believes in respect, dignity, and belonging. 'The Ministry recognises that the journey toward consensus has been challenging, especially in today's global climate where tensions and emotions run high,' says Mervin. At this stage, the Accord has begun with national organisations ready to lead efforts to strengthen relationships within and between communities, with the vison that other organisations who wish to participate can join over time, ensuring it remains inclusive, evolving, and enduring. 'That these Jewish and Muslim organisations in New Zealand have come together to sign this Accord is a powerful testament to their shared commitment to dialogue. Very importantly, the Accord does not take away respective organisations' right to advocate for what they believe in,' says Mervin. The Ministry supports a range of initiatives that promote social inclusion, including funding through the Ethnic Communities Development Fund and a national behaviour-change campaign to promote empathy and respect. Notes: The New Zealand Harmony Accord was signed by: o The New Zealand Jewish Council o The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) o The Holocaust Centre in New Zealand o Dayenu o His Highness the Aga Khan Council for Australia and New Zealand o The Jewish Community Security Group • The Accord can be accessed on the Ministry for Ethnic Communities website: • The Harmony Accord outlines a set of shared values and commitments, including: o Rejecting all forms of hate, extremism, and discrimination, including antisemitism and Islamophobia o Fostering trust, leadership, and safety within and between communities o Promoting pluralism and interfaith respect o Supporting education and dialogue to challenge prejudice and foster understanding o Standing together in times of both celebration and challenge
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Jewish And Muslim Communities Unite To Combat Hate In Harmony Accord
The New Zealand Jewish Council has today signed the New Zealand Harmony Accord, alongside Muslim community leaders, as a step toward strengthening understanding and addressing Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate and extremism. The Accord, which was spearheaded by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, aims to lay a foundation for constructive interfaith dialogue and cooperation based on shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to peaceful coexistence. The New Zealand Jewish Council signed the Accord on behalf of its affiliated communities: the Auckland Hebrew Congregation, the Progressive Jewish Congregation of Auckland, the Waikato Jewish Association, the Wellington Jewish Community, the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation, the Nelson Jewish Community, the Christchurch Hebrew Congregation, and the Southern Lakes Jewish Community. 'This Accord represents an opportunity to work together more intentionally in confronting rising hate,' said Juliet Moses, President of the New Zealand Jewish Council. 'Antisemitism has significantly increased in New Zealand over the past two years, fuelled by global tensions and a concerning spread of disinformation and polarisation.' By signing the Harmony Accord, the Jewish and Muslim communities are affirming a shared intention to engage across differences. 'Islamophobia and Antisemitism stem from many of the same root causes, fear, ignorance, and the tendency to dehumanise 'the other',' said Moses. 'We hope this Accord can be a first step toward deeper understanding and stronger relationships.' The Accord outlines shared principles of trust, safety, education, and pluralism, and commits signatories to continued dialogue and collaborative initiatives. It also proposes the formation of a Leadership Council to help guide its implementation and offer a joint response mechanism during times of stress or division. 'We are hopeful this can be the beginning of a constructive and sustained conversation,' Moses said. 'There is much work to be done, but this could be a meaningful step in the right direction.. We look forward to supporting each other, and to show that there is a better path forward, not just for our communities, but for all New Zealanders.'
Scoop
22-07-2025
- 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
16-07-2025
- 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
14-07-2025
- 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.'
