Israel Institute of New Zealand: 2023 and 2024
As I reflect on the events that marked the end of 2023, it’s clear that IINZ needs to continue its work. The October 07 attacks are a significant turning point in the Middle East and the Western world.
Dr David Cumin
The reverberations of the Hamas-led attacks and the subsequent rise of antisemitism have been felt far and wide. Notably, we’ve witnessed the resignation of at least two presidents of prestigious universities.
While uncertainties loom over the fate of Gaza, the Saudi deal, and beyond, it is deeply worrying to see the modern form of the oldest hatred that has infiltrated Western countries, including our own, is so brazen.
Despite the challenges, there are rays of hope. The newly formed New Zealand government, whatever you might think of its other policies, shows promise in understanding the issues and resisting the tide of anti-Israel sentiment.
However, this optimism is countered by the prevailing momentum of anti-Israel sentiment among officials, media outlets, and NGOs. The longstanding efforts by individuals such as Ben-Dror Yemini, who meticulously catalogued the ‘Industry of Lies,’ in academia and our media; Hillel Neuer and UN Watch, exposing antisemitism in the international community; and the relentless work of Prof Gerald Steinberg and the team at NGO Monitor cannot be ignored any longer.
It is a lamentable pride that IINZ has, prior to Oct 07, been the only organisation advocating for an end to our government’s support for UNRWA and the designation of Hamas as a terrorist entity. The tragic events of October 07 have prompted some traction, with our new government seeking advice on Hamas and our petition regarding UNRWA still under consideration. We’ve submitted additional evidence for the latter, revealing how UNRWA employees openly supported the Hamas-led slaughter and how one Israeli hostage claims to have been kept in the attic of a UNRWA school principal.
Despite the challenges ahead, the support we’ve received, partly from individuals like you, has been a silver lining. Donations have allowed us to expand our social media presence, achieving millions of views each month on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (the old Twitter). Thank you to everyone who chipped in.
This achievement is credited to our small yet mighty team, and I extend our heartfelt gratitude to each one of them. And thank you for your continued support that allows us to do impactful work.
Looking ahead to 2024, we have exciting projects planned, and we eagerly anticipate sharing them with you. The battle for balance and fairness continues, and with your support, we are confident in making a positive impact.
Dr David Cumin is co-director of the Israel Institute of New Zealand, among other roles.
