Antisemitism has been on the rise in New Zealand ever since
two Mossad agents were caught trying to obtain false
passports. For the second time in three weeks, graves were
desecrated in a Jewish cemetery in the capital city of
Wellington and the Jewish funeral parlor was torched.
In New Zealand's worst antisemitic incident ever, 92 graves
were shattered in Makara, a suburb west of Wellington. The
cemetery's funeral parlor was then burned to the ground and a
swastika erected on the site.
Three weeks ago, 16 ancient gravestones were desecrated at
Wellington's Jewish cemetery and swastikas were etched into
the surrounding lawns. Police opened an investigation but no
arrests were made. Following the recent incident, the
investigation was given top priority. Investigators have not
yet concluded whether both attacks were perpetrated by the
same individuals.
The New Zealand Parliament issued a unanimous condemnation,
following the third act of antisemitism on the island since
two Israelis were accused of attempting to obtain false
passports a few weeks ago, and New Zealand Prime Minister
Helen Clark launched a harsh attack against the Israeli
government, announcing a series of sanctions against
Israel.
According to surveys, Clark's tough stance against Israel
boosted her popularity among New Zealanders. Forty-eight
percent of respondents said she was the most suitable
candidate for prime minister while only 35 percent saw her
primary rival, Don Brash of the National Party, as a suitable
candidate for the post.
New Zealanders have never been very fond of the Jewish
people. A survey conducted ten months ago found only 12
percent of the country's citizens had a positive attitude
towards Israel while 58 percent had a negative attitude,
matching the levels of support for Afghanistan or Saudi
Arabia.
In Jerusalem, the Foreign Ministry said Israel expects and
believes the New Zealand authorities will do everything they
can to bring the desecraters of the Jewish cemetery to
justice. "The Foreign Ministry is worriedly following the
desecration of the Jewish cemetery in New Zealand," said a
Ministry spokesman.
British historian David Irving, a notorious Holocaust denier,
claimed the Jewish community in Wellington is responsible for
desecrating the cemetery, reported the New Zealand
Herald.
