Media release: New Zealand Jewish Council…
The New Zealand Jewish Council notes the conviction, following a guilty plea, of an Auckland lawyer for vandalising the offices of Members of Parliament in protest against Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza. These acts occurred in 2023, soon after the Hamas-led invasion of Israel’s sovereign territory on October 7th, which precipitated the war.
This case is a concerning example of the state of public discourse in New Zealand. While the acts were framed as anti-Israel, we know from experience that violent conduct like this often leads directly to antisemitism. For Jewish New Zealanders, the line between hostility towards Israel’s actions and hostility towards Jews is a thin and rapidly disappearing one, and violent incidents like this contribute to an environment in which intimidation and antisemitic acts are being normalised. In the past two years, there have been several examples of vandalism and damage to Jewish community buildings.
Protest is vital in a democracy, but so is the rule of law. Those who choose unlawful actions – especially knowingly and repeatedly – must accept the consequences—legal, reputational, and sometimes professional. Whether this conduct is consistent with the standards expected of a practising lawyer is a matter for the Law Society to determine.
NZ Jewish Council spokesperson Juliet Moses said: “New Zealanders should be able to debate the Israel–Palestine conflict openly and respectfully, and to protest. But when that debate spills into unlawful acts against elected representatives, it undermines democracy and risks normalising violence as legitimate. This creates an unsafe environment for communities, including Jews. Our focus remains on promoting respectful dialogue, countering antisemitism, and ensuring the safety and well-being of Jewish New Zealanders.”
