Mike Bain/cvnznews.com
Jewish organisations sound the alarm after violent attack on Israeli visitor.
A coalition of Jewish and non-Jewish organisations is calling attention to what it describes as a growing climate of hostility toward Jews, Israelis and Israel supporters in New Zealand, following a recent violent attack that has received little mainstream media coverage.
The concerns were highlighted in a statement released by a collective of organisations that say they represent tens of thousands of New Zealanders. The group claims that despite the seriousness of the issue, the statement has been largely ignored by national media, prompting supporters to raise funds to publish it as a newspaper advertisement.
The renewed focus comes after an Israeli visitor was allegedly attacked in Golden Bay New Zealand in what supporters describe as an unprovoked assault. According to the coalition’s statement, the victim suffered serious injuries and was hospitalised. The group says the incident is part of a wider pattern of intimidation and hostility directed at Jewish New Zealanders, Israelis and those who publicly support Israel.
Dr Sheree Trotter, a New Zealand historian, co-founder of the Indigenous Coalition for Israel and director of the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem, recently discussed concerns about rising antisemitism during an interview on The Platform. Trotter has long argued that anti-Jewish hostility is increasing both internationally and within New Zealand.
The issue is not unique to New Zealand. Jewish organisations worldwide have reported increased incidents of antisemitism since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Concerns have ranged from online abuse and harassment to vandalism, intimidation and acts of physical violence.
In New Zealand, the New Zealand Jewish Council has reported record levels of antisemitic incidents. Its most recent annual report recorded 143 incidents in 2025, the highest number documented in a single year, including assaults, threats and attacks on Jewish sites. The report noted that the number and severity of incidents increased significantly following the October 2023 attacks in Israel.
The coalition behind the latest statement says criticism of Israeli government policies is legitimate in a democratic society, but argues that hostility towards Jewish people and Israeli visitors crosses a dangerous line. It is urging political leaders, media organisations and the wider public to take the issue seriously before further incidents occur.
