9 November 2024
ANTISEMITISM IN AMSTERDAM AND IN NEW ZEALAND
The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand expresses its dismay and solidarity with the victims of the brutal and orchestrated attack on Jews following the Maccabi Tel Aviv game in Amsterdam, the city of Anne Frank.
Images of gangs of people attacking Jews are a stark reminder of the persistent and current threat posed by antisemitism to our communities.
Holocaust Centre of New Zealand Chair, Deborah Hart, said, “These shocking and shameful acts took place as the Amsterdam Jewish community joined with local officials to commemorate the 86th anniversary of the pogrom of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, at the city’s synagogue, which was established by Jews who escaped the Inquisition.”
“On the anniversary of Kristallnacht, it is profoundly alarming to witness yet another act of violence targeting Jewish people. This incident underscores the alarming resurgence of antisemitism. “
“New Zealand cannot be complacent. Whilst Jews make up only 0.2% of the New Zealand population, in the past year, 13% of all hate crimes in our largest city, Auckland were against Jews. Recent attacks have included a Jewish business targeted by a lit Molotov cocktail, vandalism to Jewish homes and community facilities and threats of violence to individual Jews and Jewish organisations, as well as Jewish children assaulted at schools.”
“We know from history, that we cannot be complacent in the face of rising antisemitism. Hate starts small and ends in places that should be unimaginable. We urge people not to look away or to make excuses for antisemitism.”
For further comment: contact Deborah Hart: 022 125 2967; [email protected]
About the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand
The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand inspires and empowers action against antisemitism, discrimination, and apathy, by remembering, educating, and bearing witness to the Holocaust.
About Kristallnacht
On 9 – 10 November 1938, authorities looked on as synagogues burned throughout Nazi Germany, Austria and Sudetenland. During the November Pogrom, also called Kristallnacht or the Night of Broken Glass, rioters ransacked and damaged thousands of Jewish businesses, schools and homes. 91 Jews were murdered, with 30,000 more arrested and sent to concentration camps.
Images of gangs of people attacking Jews are a stark reminder of the persistent and current threat posed by antisemitism to our communities.
Holocaust Centre of New Zealand Chair, Deborah Hart, said, “These shocking and shameful acts took place as the Amsterdam Jewish community joined with local officials to commemorate the 86th anniversary of the pogrom of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, at the city’s synagogue, which was established by Jews who escaped the Inquisition.”
“On the anniversary of Kristallnacht, it is profoundly alarming to witness yet another act of violence targeting Jewish people. This incident underscores the alarming resurgence of antisemitism. “
“New Zealand cannot be complacent. Whilst Jews make up only 0.2% of the New Zealand population, in the past year, 13% of all hate crimes in our largest city, Auckland were against Jews. Recent attacks have included a Jewish business targeted by a lit Molotov cocktail, vandalism to Jewish homes and community facilities and threats of violence to individual Jews and Jewish organisations, as well as Jewish children assaulted at schools.”
“We know from history, that we cannot be complacent in the face of rising antisemitism. Hate starts small and ends in places that should be unimaginable. We urge people not to look away or to make excuses for antisemitism.”
For further comment: contact Deborah Hart: 022 125 2967; [email protected]
About the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand
The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand inspires and empowers action against antisemitism, discrimination, and apathy, by remembering, educating, and bearing witness to the Holocaust.
About Kristallnacht
On 9 – 10 November 1938, authorities looked on as synagogues burned throughout Nazi Germany, Austria and Sudetenland. During the November Pogrom, also called Kristallnacht or the Night of Broken Glass, rioters ransacked and damaged thousands of Jewish businesses, schools and homes. 91 Jews were murdered, with 30,000 more arrested and sent to concentration camps.
