Indigenous Coalition for Israel director Hon Alfred Ngaro has spoken out on the government’s equivocation over whether New Zealand will attend the Durban IV conference.
With less than a month out from the 20th anniversary of the infamous Durban conference which purported to address racism and tolerance, but quickly descended into an antisemitic hate-fest, the government had not said whether New Zealand would attend it or boycott it.
Ngaro said there was nothing to discuss on the topic as Durban has become associated with racism, intolerance, antisemitism and Holocaust denial.
“Previous governments have been clear that New Zealand does not support this kind of racism and have stayed away. Most of our traditional allies have likewise chosen to boycott this conference because of its toxic atmosphere.”
Former National Party MP and cabinet minister Ngaro and academic Dr Sheree Trotter this week launched the Indigenous Coalition for Israel, an international initiative partnering with the European Coalition For Israel.
Since 2003 the European Coalition For Israel has been active at the EU and since 2011 at the UN. It has initiated events such as the
first Holocaust Remembrance Day at the European Parliament in 2005 and in 2011 it established the Forum for Cultural Diplomacy at the UN.
Trotter said the Indigenous Coalition For Israel would provide a platform for indigenous voices to speak up for Israel.
It would also provide research based educational resources and stage cultural events, work to raise awareness and understanding of some of the complex issues Israel faces, to cultivate collaboration and foster relationships with between the respective communities.
“We are greatly concerned by rising levels of antisemitism, often connected to misinformation about Israel and fear-based propagation of conspiracy theories,” she said.
“The eve of Rosh HaShana (Jewish New Year) is a great time to launch this initiative. It’s a festival that has been celebrated in Jewish communities for around 2,000 years and one which signals new beginnings.”
On 5 September (CET) the Indigenous Coalition for Israel will participate in a six hour online event organised by the European Coalition for Israel.
