New Zealand Candidate Calls to Confront Israelis
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
John Minto, a New Zealand parliamentary candidate for the "Free Palestine" party, posted photos of two Israelis and called for confrontations, accusing them of being soldiers involved in the Gaza conflict. The New Zealand Jewish Council condemned the post, warning of incitement to violence. Minto has a history of anti-Israel activism. The Israeli Foreign Ministry labeled Minto an extremist antisemite and is working with authorities to protect Israeli visitors.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- New Zealand candidate John Minto called to confront Israelis visiting the country.
- Minto posted photos of two Israelis, accusing them of being soldiers in the Gaza conflict.
- The New Zealand Jewish Council condemned the post, warning of incitement to violence.
- Minto is running for parliament with the "Free Palestine" party.
- The Israeli Foreign Ministry called Minto an extremist antisemite and is taking action.
John Minto, a veteran anti-Israel activist and candidate for the "Free Palestine" party in New Zealand's upcoming parliamentary elections, has called for confronting Israelis visiting the country. Minto posted photos on Facebook of two young Israelis in Christchurch, urging residents who encounter them to "make it clear to them that they are not welcome." He accused the individuals of being Israeli soldiers who "participated in the genocide in Gaza" and defended "genocide and apartheid in Israel and Gaza." Minto did not provide evidence for these claims.
The New Zealand Jewish Council condemned Minto's post, warning that it could incite violence. The council's president, Juliette Moses, stated that holding an entire population responsible for their government's decisions is not legitimate criticism and endangers individuals. She also referenced a recent incident in Australia involving a politician, highlighting the danger of escalating hostility and inflammatory rhetoric leading to political violence.
Minto has a history of activism against Israelis in New Zealand. In January 2025, he was involved in a campaign to report on Israeli soldiers traveling in the country. He previously protested Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe'er in 2010. Minto is now running for parliament with the "Free Palestine" party, which was established this year and focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In response to Minto's post, the Israeli Foreign Ministry called him a "known extremist anti-Semitic activist" who misuses freedom of expression to incite against Jews and Israelis. Israel's embassy in Wellington is working with relevant authorities to combat discrimination and antisemitism and to protect the safety of Israeli tourists in New Zealand.