This Is Not Us

Parlermaid

The Settlement Centre Waikato (SCW) in Hamilton, New Zealand, is a place of unity and one which welcomes all people, regardless of their religious or political beliefs, ethnicity or country of origin. A key feature of the newly redeveloped SCW are the ethnic panels that externally wrap the building like a cloak. They are a symbol of diversity, inclusion, unity and our shared humanity here in Hamilton. Each panel is designed by a local ethnic artist and represents a personal journey through art, showcasing aspects of one’s own unique heritage and culture.

Artists were asked to create a decorative pattern showcasing aspects of their own culture, with no reference to religion, country flags, text, writing or portraits. This was meant to be an artistic celebration of cultural identity, which is made up of memories, traditions and heritage bringing together the shared humanity of people who have made New Zealand home.

Unfortunately, not everyone agrees that New Zealand is a place of diversity, inclusion, unity and shared humanity. Palestine Waikato, run by Waikato University student Jordin Moore and supported by professional agitator and co-founder of Palestinians in Aotearoa Co-ordinating Committee, Maher Nazzal, has organised her unwitting (or should that be witless!) followers to protest the ceremonial opening of the facility for migrants and refugees. It seems she has taken offense at the inclusion of artwork by a Jewish artist on the basis that the “blue lines represent expansionist Israel”.

Let’s be clear, the art panel in question followed the guidelines set out to the artists – there was no reference to religion, country flag, text, writing, or portrait involved. It was the artist’s portrayal of her own cultural identity. An identity that is inherently part of the multicultural society we live in here in New Zealand.

Let’s also be clear that the protest was not about any depiction in the artwork – it was entirely about the ethnicity and religion of the artist. It was inherently anti-semitic. It was racist. It was an attitude more befitting Nazism than the ‘This Is Not Us’ kind of Kiwis we all want to be. Anyone spouting anti-Jewish protest ought to rightly be seen to be exactly what they are – bigots and racists.

Interestingly, Palestine Waikato was outraged in November 2023 when a Tauranga art gallery was told to remove an exhibition titled “From the River to the Sea”, arguing the case for “freedom of expression” even when it is an expression of the genocidal intent of terrorist organisation Hamas, taken directly from the organisation’s charter. Once again we are reminded by idiotic and poorly educated university students that freedom of expression does not entitle others to say things they don’t want to hear, or even to say anything at all if you’re Jewish. It is pure Jew hate and must be condemned.

Racism has no place in our country, and nor does the genocidal position taken by the Nazis in the early years of last century, which the Palestinian movements here are now blatantly trying to revive. New Zealanders are big kids now, and we are able to accept all peoples into our midst regardless of their race, ethnicity or religion. The Palestinian movements’ position on the ‘Jewish situation’ must never again be allowed to be regarded as acceptable conversation in our modern world.

This is not us.