Aucklanders marched in silence today, December 21, 2025, to protest rising antisemitism, just one week after a terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney left 15 people dead. The demonstration underscores a growing global concern over threats to Jewish communities.
Demonstrators Condemn Normalization of Antisemitism
Around 200 people participated in the Kiwis Against Antisemitism event, voicing concerns over escalating hostility towards Jewish people.
- The rally followed a deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney on December 14, 2025.
- Speakers condemned the blaming of Jewish people for the conflict in Gaza.
- Organizers emphasized the importance of speaking out against antisemitism without inciting hatred towards other groups.
- Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour attended the rally, expressing support for the Jewish community.
The rally, which began at 3 p.m. in Aotea Square, featured speeches from Jewish community leaders and advocacy groups, including NZ Against Hamas and Kiwis Against Antisemitism. The atmosphere was described as raw, with speakers forcefully criticizing the tendency to blame Jewish people for the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Q&A: What is driving the increase in antisemitism globally? Antisemitism is manifesting from multiple sources, including the far-left, the far-right, and radical Islamist ideologies, creating a complex and escalating threat to Jewish communities worldwide.
Juliet Moses, president of the Jewish Council, told the rally that Jewish people globally have faced a litany of abuses, including “marginalisation, harassment, intimidation, threats, discrimination, arson, vandalism, doxing, boycotts, sexual violence, assaults, and murder.” She asserted that “the war on the Jewish people is always at heart, a war on history, on ideas, on truth, and on freedom itself.”
Moses continued, stating, “There is no ceasefire on this war on Jews, it continues unabated and is escalating. No one group has a monopoly on it. It is coming from the far left, the far right and radical Islamism. Jews flourish in free societies, and when they struggle, when they are shunned and imperilled, it is a sign that society is decaying.”
Speakers also leveled criticism at academics, politicians, union leaders, the media, and the government, alleging inaction in addressing antisemitism. Lucy Rogers, the event organizer, described the Bondi Beach attack as “an atrocious thing,” emphasizing the need to actively oppose the normalization of antisemitism both in New Zealand and internationally.
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, who attended the rally, acknowledged the distress within the New Zealand Jewish community. “There’s a real sense that what happened [in Bondi] could have happened to this Jewish community,” he said. “That’s why I’m here, not because I favour Israel or the Jewish community, but I know if they’re not safe, nobody is. Any group should be able to assemble like this, and I think it’s important the Government comes in and supports them.”
The demonstration served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Jewish communities and the urgent need for collective action against antisemitism.
