People gathered in Aotea Square in Auckland City to take part in a march named 'Kiwis against Antisemitism'.
Video / NZ Herald
About 200 people gathered in Auckland’s Aotea Square this afternoon for an anti-Semitism rally held in response to last Sunday’s terrorist attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which left 15 people dead, including a 10-year-old girl.
The Kiwis Against Anti-Semitism event began at 3pm with a karakia,followed by speeches from Jewish community leaders and advocacy groups including NZ Against Hamas and Kiwis Against Anti-Semitism.
The protesters, many wrapped in Israeli flags or holding banners, packed into the square off Queen St, breaking their silence only for scattered calls of support as speakers took the microphone.
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour was among those in the crowd, listening as speaker after speaker accused the Government of failing to confront rising anti-Semitism in New Zealand.
New Zealand Jewish Council president Juliet Moses told the rally that for more than two years, Jews worldwide had faced “marginalisation, harassment, intimidation, threats, discrimination, arson, vandalism, doxing, boycotts, sexual violence, assaults, and murder”, often dressed up as social justice or humanitarian concern.
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour was standing among protesters as they listened to speeches that have been sharply critical of the Government’s response to rising anti-Semitism. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
“The war on the Jewish people is always at heart, a war on history, on ideas, on truth, and on freedom itself,” she said.
“Jews flourish in free societies, and when they struggle, when they are shunned and imperilled, it is a sign that society is decaying.”
Following the rally, organisers and attendees marched down Queen St before finishing the event in Te Komititanga Square in front of Britomart.
Organiser Lucy Rogers told the Herald that one doesn’t have to be Jewish to have aroha and care about your Jewish neighbours.
“I would encourage people to be vigilant against anti-Semitism and call it out when you see it.”
Members of Auckland's Jewish community lit the candles on a menorah in Aotea Square to mark the eighth night of Hanukkah.
Moses told the Herald thatJewish people should be listened to when they are raising concerns
“You get the sense that we love this country and we’re willing to fight for it.
“We are proud of the contributions to this country and we would like to keep contributing.”
She said the Jewish community was feeling angry, but “up for the fight” a week after Bondi.
“We’re not ready to go quietly. We’ll keep lighting our candles and keep doing what we have done.”
That evening, members of Auckland’s Jewish community gathered in Aotea Square to mark the eighth night of Hanukkah.
Australian authorities say two gunmen, Sajid and Naveed Akram, opened fire on families celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, in one of the country’s deadliest shootings in decades.
