Shalom chaverim

On Sunday 30 June 2019, the Zionist Federation of New Zealand had its Annual General Meeting followed by the screening of the movie “Above and Beyond”, which is documentary on the beginning of the Israel Air Force. If you have not seen it, it is highly recommended and is available on Amazon Prime.

Prior to the screening of the Above and Beyond, we had the small matter of the AGM. I am pleased to say we reached our “minyan” of members who voted on two main motions as well as on the election of the Executive. The first action of the evening was to make the 1974 Auckland Zionist Society/ ZFNZ constitution null and void, and the second, assuming the first motion was passed, was to vote on a new ZFNZ Constitution. Both of these motions were passed and Idit will email out the new Constitution to our members in the coming weeks. If you are not a member and would like to receive a copy of the Constitution, please contact Idit (officemanager@zfnz.org.nz) and, if inclined to do so, ask to join the ZFNZ at the same time!

The AGM also voted positively on returning the outgoing Executive. I am, therefore, excited (and relieved!) to welcome back the following Executive.

  • Rob Berg (President – to be re-appointed in role at next Executive meeting)
  • David Apfel (Treasurer – to be re-appointed in role at next Executive meeting)
  • Osnat Kushnir
  • Shirley-Anne Hodgson
  • Josh Brown
  • Carli Davis

In addition to the above, Bnei Akiva NZ and Habonim Dror ANZ hold ex-officio seats on the Executive, whilst Idit Forster and Stav Rogel will join us as non-voting employees. I am sure you will join me in wishing this year’s Executive every success.

Combating BDS (Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel)
1d62ce2c 3ef1 4995 9469 297c672bbc33 - Zionist Federation of NZ July 2019 Briefing
I was fortunate last month to attend Israel’s Ministry of Strategic Affairs’ Combating BDS Conference in Jerusalem. The conference was an international conference and had most of the major international Zionist groups in attendance. Apart from the opportunity to network, it was also an opportunity to hear what was happening across the Globe.
 

 

One thing that did stand out was the Ministry’s success in getting major companies such as PayPal, to shut down funding to BDS groups. One of the main reasons for this success is known as the ‘Terrorists in suits’ campaign. This campaign has shown the direct link, past or present, of major BDS players to terrorism, as well as the funneling of funds to terrorist groups in Gaza and The West Bank/ Judea and Samaria. The Ministry has produced a good booklet outlining their research and can be found here:

https://4il.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/MSA-Terrorists-In-Suits-English-1.pdf

Call to Action

Unfortunately, it seems to be a regular occurrence that individuals, groups, or organisations are being harassed into boycotting Israel. We saw this previously with the failed Arab Boycott of Israel, and prior to that with the boycott of Jewish businesses in Nazi Occupied Europe. Whilst some give into the immense pressure, most do not, as was most recently seen with the Eurovision Song Contest. Although, I admit, I tend to boycott it due to the awful music!!!

Others, however, cancel or don’t even consider going to Israel due to fear of intimidation and harassment. One such group which has come to our attention is the European Association of Mental Health Researchers (ENMESH), who has apparently canceled plans to hold its next conference in Israel over fears of a backlash from the international boycott movement. It is important to stand up to these bullying tactics and show both out support when people, groups, and organisations go to or trade in Israel, as well as to try to reverse these decisions, as was the recent case with Airbnb. Therefore, please click on the link below and send the organisers of ENMESH a pre-populated letter asking them to reverse their decision to cancel their annual conference in Jerusalem. It is important, regardless of the outcome, that they are aware that many people are against such antisemitic boycotts of the world’s only Jewish State.

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/no-to-academic-boycott-enmesh-must-cancel-the-cancellation-of-upcoming-conference-in-israel?source=direct_link&fbclid=IwAR2OyjZKkH5l1ejGV3OkQivbZ5J-TIbpUtehBS8gRE9ZD2ptFZqpQZt4tSk

New Zionist political party comes to New Zealand

I would also like to take this opportunity to inform the community that the Zionist political party Mizrachi have opened a branch in New Zealand. They join the previous only Zionist political party of Arza in New Zealand. Both parties will have the opportunity to stand for New Zealand’s representative delegate at next year’s World Zionist Congress. If you wish to find out more about either parties, please contact:

Donation by Jewish Communities to the Christchurch Massacre Fund

Finally, I was proud that the ZFNZ, through Isaac Herzog of the Jewish Agency, was able to link the Pittsburgh Jewish Community to the New Zealand Jewish Council (NZJC) who coordinated the donations in excess of NZ$1m, the bulk coming from the Pittsburgh Jewish Community, to the Christchurch Massacre Fund. A lot of work was done by the NZJC, and specifically Stephen Goodman, behind the scenes to make sure the money was collected and donated via the correct channels. Not only does the money directly help those most affected by the massacre, but it, along with many other discussions and meetings, has gone a long way to bringing our two communities closer together. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to remind us that we have more in common than separates us.
Kol hakavod to all of those involved

Wishing you all a shavuah tov

Rob
President, Zionist Federation of New Zealand