Auckland War Memorial Museum (prior to the Museum CEO cancelling the lighting following pro-Palestinian protests).
We are a group of concerned citizens and residents from a wide range of backgrounds and professions who stand in solidarity with Australian and New Zealand Jews and condemn all forms of antisemitism, whether in Australia and New Zealand or elsewhere.
We unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism against civilians in Israel, especially the massacre on 7 October 2023.
On 7 October 2023 the State of Israel and her citizens, both Jews and non-Jews, were subjected to a brutal terrorist attack, which resulted in the murder, torture, rape and kidnapping of over 1,500 people.
More Jews were killed that day than on any other day since the Holocaust.
We are aware Jews are not the only victims of this tragedy. Hamas knew that there would be consequences to 7 October, but the consequences did not weigh with Hamas.
Its ongoing terrorist operation is calculated to cause maximum fear and distress. The people of Israel have been subjected to a near constant bombardment of rockets from Gaza and Lebanon. Civilians of all kinds - including the elderly, disabled, women, children and babies - have been targeted in a direct breach of the rules of war.
We share the shock and distress of Israelis, Australian and New Zealand Jews and compassionate people around the world at the unfolding horror and its consequences.
We call for all the hostages on 7 October to be released immediately. It is an essential step on the path to peace and the cessation of hostilities.
We stand in support of Australian and New Zealand Jews and condemn acts of antisemitism.
Following the terrorist attack on Israel, antisemitism is increasing in Australia and New Zealand. The protests by Palestinian supporters in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland and other cities since 7 October, with the dreadful “gas the Jews” taunt ringing in the evening air outside Sydney Opera House (on 9 October) being the nadir, testify to this rise in antisemitic antagonism. We note that many Jewish schools in Australasia felt compelled to close.
Australian and New Zealand Jews should not live in fear because of the actions taken by Israel to defend itself. The Australian and New Zealand Governments must do everything in their power to protect them.
While we respect the right of all groups to engage in peaceful protest, we urge the police to enforce the law without fear or favour.
We ask the media, members of all political parties and everyone in public life to call out Hamas for what it is: a terrorist organization.
Hamas, whose actions have led directly and indirectly to the tragic deaths of many Palestinian civilians as well as Israelis, is a proscribed terrorist organization. The Prime Ministers of our two nations have identified Hamas as a terrorist organization. Failure to use correct language - describing Hamas as ‘militants’ or ‘fighters’, for instance - creates the false impression that Hamas and Israel’s armed forces are morally equivalent and is an affront to the Hamas’ victims – the dead, their families, and those currently being held hostage.
No one thought this open letter (The October Declaration, Oceania) would be necessary in the 21st Century but, sadly, it is.
This is an Antipodean version of The October Declaration issued on 23 October 2023 by a collection of prominent UK people called British Friends of Israel.
Emeritus Prof Rex Ahdar, University of Otago
Dr Neville Rochow KC, Adelaide
Rev Margaret Court AC MBE, Perth
Prof Paul Moon ONZM, professor of history, Auckland
Hon Chris Finlayson KC, former Attorney-General of New Zealand (2008-2017)
Hon Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban, DNZM, QSO, former Member of Parliament
Emeritus Prof Patrick Parkinson AM, University of Queensland, Brisbane
Hon Eric Abetz, Leader of the Government in the Australian Senate (2013-2015)
Distinguished Prof Peter Schwerdtfeger, Director of the Theoretical Chemistry and Physics Centre, Massey University
Juliet Moses, NZ Jewish Council Spokesperson, Auckland
Alex Ryvchin, Co-CEO, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Sydney
Dr Kendall Clements, professor of biological sciences, Auckland
Major (rtd), HW, the Hon Ron Mark JP, OSRE (Oman), DSPA (MFO), Mayor of Carterton
Gael Keren, CEO, charitable trust, Auckland
Prof James Allan, Garrick Professor of Law, University of Queensland
Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen, Melbourne
Tootoooleaava Dr Fanaafi Aiono-Le Tagaloa, President, The Samoa Indigenous University, Apia, Samoa
Bruce Logan, author, Christchurch
Dr Paul Taylor, Fellow, Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law, University of Queensland
Dr Ananish Chaudhuri, professor of economics, University of Auckland
Dr Sheree Trotter, Co-Founder, Indigenous Coalition for Israel
Hon Alfred Ngaro, Director, Indigenous Coalition for Israel and former Member of Parliament and Minister for Pacific Peoples
Dr Raymond Richards, historian, Hamilton
Bob McCoskrie JP, Founder and National Director, Family First New Zealand, Auckland
David Cohen, writer, Wellington
Neil Foster, associate professor of law, Newcastle, NSW
Dr Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director, The New Zealand Initiative
Fuimaono Satualafaalagilagi Dr Leinani Aiono-Le Tagaloa, President, Pasifika Anaesthetists in Aotearoa
Dr David Cumin, Co-Director, Israel Initiative of New Zealand, Auckland
Craig Cotton, CEO, Duco Events Group, Auckland
Joanne Law, media executive, Auckland
John MacCulloch, Managing Director, Aluart Pty Ltd, Sydney
Thomas Burstyn, filmmaker, Hawke’s Bay
Roger Partridge, Chairman, The New Zealand Initiative
Deborah Hart, Chair, Holocaust Centre of New Zealand
Prof Jason Jacobs, University of Queensland
Barbara Moses, JP and company director, Auckland
Robert Narev ONZM, Chairman, Holocaust and Antisemitism Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand
Rob Holding, musician, Katikati
Major Jack Seabrook, NZIC, Auckland
Prof Elizabeth Rata, University of Auckland
Bridget Snelling, Country Manager, Xero Aotearoa NZ
Pastor Nigel Woodley Ph D, Flaxmere Christian Fellowship, Hastings
Dr Ate Moala, public health specialist, Wellington
Mark Sherwood, orthopaedic surgeon, Wellington
Barbara Sumner, author and film producer, Hawke’s Bay
Jeremy Johnson, barrister, Auckland
Brian Stevenson ONZM, Auckland
Dr Daniel Laufer, associate professor of marketing, Wellington
Samuel Tamaki, Senior Pastor, Brisbane
Tammy McLeod, lawyer, Auckland
Dr Lee Mathias ONZM, company director, Auckland
Tom Maasland, lawyer, Auckland
Shannon and Sarah Walsh, company directors, Auckland
Eric Wolters, chartered engineer, Tauranga
Bryce Williams, lawyer, Lower Hutt
Bruce Robertson FCA, Managing Director, JB Were, Auckland
Peter Swain PhD, author, Lower Hutt
Jacquie Rochow, solicitor, Adelaide
Fuimaono Dr Karl Pulotu-Endemann MNZM, Pacific mental health specialist, Christchurch
Pravir Tesiram, lawyer, Auckland
Dr Mele Tupou Vaitohi, Senior Lecturer, Victoria University of Wellington
Rev Dr Bryden Black, Christian minister and author, Canterbury
Hon Dennis Hood MLC, South Australian Legislative Council
Tagaloa Dr Junior Ulu, Director of Pacific Health, Wellington
Hon Dr Nicola Centofanti MLC, Leader of the Opposition, South Australian Legislative Council
Prof Anthony Poole, University of Auckland
Hon Heidi Girolamo MLC, Member of the South Australian Legislative Council
Rev Dr Michael Reid, Presbyterian minister, Christchurch
Michael Webster, lawyer, Canberra
Luke Nottage, professor and solicitor, Sydney
Dr Leo Paas, professor of marketing, Auckland
Hiueni Nuku, Chair, Wellington Tongan Leaders Council, Wellington
Kieran O’Hagan, company director, Ashburton
Ashley Church, Director, Israel Institute of NZ & Holocaust and Antisemitism Foundation, Aotearoa New Zealand, Napier
Very Rev Robert (Rob) M Yule, retired Presbyterian minister, former Moderator, author, Palmerston North
Assoc Prof Giacomo Lichtner, Deputy Chair, Holocaust Centre of New Zealand
Prof Augusto Zimmermann, Head of Law, Sheridan Institute of Higher Education, Perth
Foundation Signatories
We stand united against antisemitism
If you are a resident in, or citizen of, Australia, New Zealand or a South Pacific Island nation, add your name to the October Declaration Oceania
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Additional Signatories
Total to Date: 821