Holocaust Centre of New Zealand stands up to antisemitism
During this year’s commemoration of United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January, there were calls worldwide, including New Zealand, for Holocaust remembrance to extend to concern for today’s Jewish communities.
At Holocaust Centre of New Zealand commemorations around the country, the remembrance of Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust shone a sharp light on the growing antisemitism faced by Jewish people today
The annual commemorations are co-sponsored by UNESCO, the Human Rights Commission of New Zealand and major City Councils.
At the United Nations, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the rise of antisemitism in the world and the significance of combating it. “We reaffirm our resolve to fight the hatred that still plagues our world today. It is necessary more and more that we sound the alarm…inevitably, where there is antisemitism, no one else is safe.”
The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand has adopted the definition of antisemitism developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, a definition adopted by many governments and major organisations:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Verbal and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
This specifically includes Holocaust denial, accusing Jewish people of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust, and dehumanising, demonising, or making stereotypical allegations about Jews or the power of Jews as a collective.
“Standing up to antisemitism is one of the Holocaust Centre’s of New Zealand’s central missions – the global call to condemn antisemitism directly links to our campaign to educate New Zealand about the Holocaust and to be upstanders in the face of discrimination and prejudice.” said HCNZ Chairman, Jeremy Smith
