The latest newsletter is out!

NZFOI Newsletter 202602
NZFOI Newsletter 202602

The latest newsletter is out and it may be downloaded from here: Download Newsletter.

We continue to have email deliverability issues to email accountholders from the following services:

  1. Gmail
  2. Hotmail
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If you know someone who should be receiving the email and uses one of these email services, feel free to forward the newsletter to them.

Otherwise they may miss out on upcoming events.  The next event is on Saturday, January 31, see page 8.

Thanks again for your support.  

Enoch Lavendar: Hanukkah 2025

ICYMI or you’d just like to hear Enoch’s very personal Hanukkah message presented at our December meeting in Christchurch, you can watch it here.

FLYING A BANNER OVER AUCKLAND DURING THE PALESTINIAN PROTEST

Auckland braced for a major pro-Palestinian protest originally planned to shut down the Harbour Bridge on October 13. Organised under the banner of “March for Humanity,” the event aimed to pressure the New Zealand Government to sanction Israel over its military actions in Gaza. However, due to forecasted high winds reaching unsafe levels, the planned bridge crossing was cancelled the day before, and rerouted through the central business district instead.

While the change in route was framed as a safety precaution, it also spared Aucklanders from what would have been significant traffic disruption and public frustration. The Harbour Bridge closure would have impacted thousands of commuters and freight operators, and the rerouting helped maintain public order and avoid unnecessary ire.

In response to the protest, the NZ Friends of Israel Association Inc., together with a coali-tion of supporters, funded a powerful aerial initiative: a plane flew above the march towing a banner that read, “BRING THEM HOME NOW, FREE THE HOSTAGES.” This mes-sage was a poignant reminder of the hundreds of innocent people still held captive by Hamas since the October 7 attacks—an atrocity that the protest conspicuously failed to acknowledge.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our members and other supporters who contribut-ed to this initiative. Your generosity ensured that the voices of compassion, justice, and truth were visibly present above the noise. The banner was not just a statement—it was a call for humanity, for accountability, and for the safe return of those stolen from their families.

It is deeply concerning that the protest ignored the brutal reality of Hamas’ actions: the mas-sacre of civilians on October 7, the ongoing hostage crisis, and the systematic abuse of Gazan civilians. Hamas has executed dissi-dents, hijacked 85% of humanitarian aid, and used civilians as human shields while denying them access to tunnel shelters. These are not acts of resistance—they are crimes against humanity.

The protest also perpetuated a distorted narrative of the Nakba and repeated unfounded accusations of genocide against Israel. Such rhetoric not only misrepresents history but undermines genuine efforts toward peace and reconciliation. It is essential to distinguish between legitimate concern for Palestinian welfare and the dangerous glorification of a terrorist regime.

New Zealanders deserve a discourse grounded in truth, not propaganda. The aerial banner was a symbol of that truth—a reminder that compassion must extend to all victims, includ-ing those held hostage and those oppressed by Hamas itself.

As the region continues to grapple with conflict, we reaffirm our commitment to justice, peace, and the dignity of all people. And we thank every supporter who helped make our message fly.

Independence Day 2025 creates moment of reflection

Tony Kan (President, NZFOI), HE Ambassador Alon Roth-Snir and Kate MacPherson (Committee Member)

This week, our President, Tony Kan and Kate MacPherson travelled up to Wellington to attend the reception to mark the 77th Anniversary of the Independence of Israel.

To a packed house, the Ambassador spoke about our common values, and the opportunity to forge a stronger relationship between our countries through trade and fighting intolerance.

Jo McKeagan, the Principal Advisor to the Deputy Secretary (Middle East and Africa) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke on behalf of the NZ Government. Most notable of all, this year there was no mention of the creation of an independent Palestinian State, a commitment to a two state solution, or a call for Israel to moderate its military conduct.

In stark contrast to last year, the event was not marked by attendees being harassed by shouting over megaphones and blaring sirens from Pro-Palestinian protesters. Apparently they went to the wrong address.

The reception was also cause to reflect on how things have changed over the last 12 months:

  • Iran had seen its decades long investment in building proxy enemies, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Assad regime to threaten Israel, have been made combat ineffective. Their senior leadership either dead, in hiding or in exile.
  • Decades of economic mismanagement caused by the Mullah’s fixation on imperialism has left Iranian civilians impoverished and desperate: So desperate that advertisements to sell kidneys to make ends meet are a common occurrence, infrastructure such as water supply networks have become unreliable and the Iranian currency is one of the most worthless in the world.
  • Israel has demonstrated the effectiveness of its covert forces in identifying their enemies’ leadership, their location and to devise ingenious ways to nullify them.
  • Israel now controls the Philadelphia Corridor, preventing Hamas from smuggling in further arms and munitions.
  • Israel is implementing its own aid distribution system, which will severely curtail Hamas’ ability to divert aid for its own consumption. This will hamper its ability to continue the war.
  • The election of a conservative US Government meant that there was no indecision hampering the supply of arms and munitions.
  • Various thinkers, such as Douglas Murray, Melanie Phillips, Tom Holland, and Nigel Biggar are beginning to realize that what makes the West so successful are Judeo-Christian values, precepts and beliefs.

On the other hand, there is a deep sadness and grief over the loss, suffering, and hardship caused by Hamas’ evil, which has taken all around them to doom.

In the immediate, it remains for Israel to end Hamas’ rule in Gaza, place it under administration and begin the slow hard slog to de-radicalize the civilian population. Hamas has used its 20 years to create an Islamo-Fascist state and the culture, unfortunately, now runs deep.

The threat of Iran gaining nuclear weapons is serious and Iran is likely to string out any negotiations reasoning that President Trump has less than four years in power. If the possibility of an agreement that prevents them from developing a nuclear weapon is not possible within this period, then it may be forced to take unilateral action.

Yes, in 12 short months, the balance of power has shifted in the Middle East, and there is much to draw hope from. Churchill said that in war, one must be resolute. But recent events show antisemitism is strong even among some members of NZ society but Israel’s example, should inspire us to show the same robust and resolute response.

The latest newsletter is out!

Masthead of NZ Friends of Israel Assoc Inc Newsletter

The latest newsletter is out and it may be downloaded from here: February Newsletter.

We continue to have email deliverability issues to email accountholders from the following services:

  1. Gmail
  2. Hotmail
  3. Yahoo
  4. Xtra

If you know someone who should be receiving the email and uses one of these email services, feel free to forward the newsletter to them.

Otherwise they may miss out on upcoming events.  The next event is on Tuesday, May 20, see page 8.

Thanks again for your support.  

Sacerdoti gives evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee

Jonathan Sacerdoti is a broadcaster, journalist and television producer. The committee seems to be focussed on looking for a simple solution without changing worldviews. It can’t seem to understand that unless the Palestinians are prepared to reject violence and push for peaceful coexistence then peace is not possible.

Natasha Hausdorff gives evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee

Hausdorff shows remarkable restraint and professionalism in the face of a biased and partisan chair person, Emily Thornberry. People are not sufficiently skeptical of information being released by combatants in time of war.

The latest newsletter is out!

The latest newsletter is out and it may be downloaded from here: February Newsletter.

We continue to have email deliverability issues to email accountholders from the following services:

  1. Gmail
  2. Hotmail
  3. Yahoo
  4. Xtra

If you know someone who should be receiving the email and uses one of these email services, feel free to forward the newsletter to them.

Otherwise they may miss out on upcoming events.  The next event is on Thursday, March 6, see page 8.

Thanks again for your support.  Life and all things that make it good, depend on it.

The latest newsletter is out!

The latest newsletter is out and it may be downloaded from here: December-January Newsletter.

We continue to have email deliverability issues to email accountholders from the following services:

  1. Gmail
  2. Hotmail
  3. Yahoo
  4. Xtra

If you know someone who should be receiving the email and uses one of these email services, feel free to forward the newsletter to them.

Otherwise they may miss out on upcoming events.  There are two in December, see page 8.

This has been a tough year, so we really appreciate and thank you for your support.

May the hostages be returned in 2025!

Do have a warm and memorable Hanukkah and Christmas with your family, friends and loved ones.  If you are travelling, may you return safely.

Our latest newsletter is out!

Our latest newsletter is out.

We’ve been having email deliverabilty issues to Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo and Xtra accountholders.

If you are affected, or you’d just like to read our newsletter, then you can download the newsletter from here.

Shalom.