Human rights advocates must uphold human dignity, rights and justice, while rejecting the discriminatory tactics we oppose, writes Taimor Hazou.

Two weeks ago the Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) launched a campaign inviting New Zealanders to call a hotline if they suspected an Israel Defence Force (IDF) soldier that had served in Gaza was holidaying in New Zealand. The hotline was immediately criticised across the board, from  Jewish community groups to cabinet ministers to the chief human rights commissioner.

As a Palestinian New Zealander, I have spoken out against the hotline as well. While it arises from legitimate concerns, it is ultimately flawed, potentially discriminatory and counterproductive.

The goal of barring potential war criminals from entry to New Zealand is laudable and supported by many; the campaign’s execution and messaging, inexcusable. Despite warnings from community leaders and advocates advising against the hotline, PSNA leaders ignored concerns well before the public backlash.

This is not the first time PSNA leadership has dismissed the counsel of its allies. It has since refused to apologise, retract, or take accountability for the disastrous campaign. PSNA president John Minto insists “the hotline will save Palestinians lives” but has failed to explain how? Yes, some Palestinians support Minto, not for the hotline, but for his past advocacy for our cause. Which makes this latest ill-advised campaign and Minto’s stubbornness around it so disappointing.

As early as February 2024, Palestinians in Aotearoa have raised legitimate concerns of encountering potential war criminals here in New Zealand. These concerns were not imaginary, as was explained to senior public servants – those in the February meeting spoke of hearing Israeli soldiers on our whenua openly boasting about committing atrocities, attempting to intimidate Arab New Zealanders. It was not the only example presented.

This unconscionable behaviour and the hurt caused has been ignored. Yet, numerous cabinet ministers have been quick and eager to denounce the potential harm to “innocent” conscripted soldiers by the hotline.

In meetings with public servants and in correspondence with the minister of immigration, we have asked: 

• How are Israeli soldiers assessed for war crimes? 
• Are units like the Golani Brigade – sanctioned by the UN for human rights abuses – barred from entry? 
• If not, why not? In the absence of tangible measures to protect citizens, transparency on these issues is a reasonable demand.

The government failure to show equitable concern for the safety of its citizens, has left Muslim and Palestinian New Zealanders feeling demeaned and unheard.

Adding insult to injury, Palestinians are continually held to higher standards. A local Jewish leadership forum boasted guest speaker Colonel Yaron Simsolo, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) head of infantry doctrine. Why aren’t New Zealand Jewish leaders expected to uphold New Zealand human rights values or condemn the “settlement expansion”; the domicide of Gaza; and the attempts at ethnic cleansing of Palestine and Gaza?

Palestinian and Muslim New Zealanders feel frustrated and undervalued as human beings. Communities with lived experiences of war crimes deserve protection from the trauma of potential perpetrators roaming the whenua.

Australia requires military personnel to complete an extra visa questionnaire on their service and specifically involvement in war crimes. Canada has rejected 2,800 suspected war criminals from 2003-14, with a review finding: “domestic efforts to address war crimes and genocide are of increasing importance” and it has “obligation to end impunity”.

The Israeli visa waiver (meaning Israelis do not need to apply for a visa for visits to New Zealand shorter than three months), under these circumstances is an example of inconsistent government policy with the norms, expectations and principles of a democratic state or political parties committed to law and order.

Unfortunately, rather than focussing public attention on these systemic policy failures, the PSNA hotline resorts to targeting individuals, undermining fairness and equity.

Palestinians have been subject to the discriminatory practices of collective punishment and guilt by association. It is morally inconsistent, unreflective of our oppressed experience, and damages the credibility of the qadiyieh (cause) to employ the methods of our oppressors to achieve liberation.

We have an obligation to the past injustices of our people and to other causes to ensure our consistency.

While public sentiment is in opposition to the Gaza genocide, in Aotearoa, the public was instead moved to debate antisemitism and the ethics of targeting individuals. This is an unforgivable miscalculation by the PSNA.

Advocacy efforts should always focus on systemic policy failures and not individuals. Seasoned human rights activists, like Minto, should not be making these types of errors. 

Effective advocacy could have demanded: 

• equal protection for migrants from war criminals; 
• banning military units like Netzah Yehuda, Givati and Golani Brigades; 
• visa restrictions on military personnel of nations violating international law; 
• transparent Canada-type policy barring war criminals.

These are meaningful actions that elevate international law, which New Zealand could emulate. This would align New Zealand with our allies, reaffirm our commitment to global order, and the international conventions our nation committed to after the sacrifices of WWII.

The goal of Palestinian advocacy is to shed light on occupation, apartheid and genocide, demanding meaningful action from the international community. Campaigns must stay focused on systemic issues, not unnecessary controversies that alienate allies.

Public advocacy requires governance, strategy, consultation, and alignment with the principles we fight for. This campaign has failed all these benchmarked standards. Public moments like these call for recalibration and reflection through ownership and leadership.

As Palestinians in Aotearoa, we must reject racism and amplify justice. As Palestinians we must demand accountability, the capacity to err and the ability to learn, of everyone but particularly of leadership purporting to advocate on our behalf.