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A Muslim leader says he cannot support business owners breaking the law by refusing to serve Israelis, but he can understand why they are doing it.
The Federation of Muslim Associations of New Zealand has condemned "atrocities" being carried out in Gaza by Israel, which have prompted a Muslim-owned Invercargill cafe to refuse entry to people of Israeli origin.
Israeli sisters Natalie Bennie and Tamara Shefa were asked to leave the Mevlana Cafe on Wednesday by Turkish owner Mustafa Tekinkaya, who is mounting a personal protest.
A neighbouring owner of a Turkish kebab shop has adopted the same policy.
"I can understand where they are coming from," said Javed Khan, president of the federation.
"But if their action constitutes a breach of the Human Rights Act ... then we shouldn't breach the law of the country."
Mrs Bennie, a New Zealand citizen who has lived here for seven years, said she was shocked when she and her sister, visiting from Israel, were told to leave the cafe.
She complained to the Human Rights Commission who told her it was highly discriminatory and the commission would write to Mr Tekinkaya.
"Who knows who else he has got a bad opinion against. It could be a disabled person," said Mrs Bennie.
"Obviously he doesn't like Israel, and I don't blame him. I'm not a big supporter of Israel at the moment. But he didn't even bother finding out what my opinion was."
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the cafe's actions would clearly be a breach of the Human Rights Act.
Mediation would be offered, and if unsuccessful, a prosecution could follow.
"Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation in Palestine, it is simply against the law for providers of goods and services in New Zealand to discriminate in this way," Mr de Bres said.
Mr Tekinkaya appeared unmoved, saying he had heard nothing from the commission. He said he had received a lot of support from around Invercargill for his stance.
