The UN has shown a determination to sever all Jewish association with Jerusalem. This constitutes a denial of history, an infraction against self-determination under international law, and a violation of indigenous rights in ancestral lands.

London-based writer Michael Jacobson discusses the similarities between Jews and the Cherokee, as indigenous peoples.

One media outlet in New Zealand described Israel’s attempt to defend its citizens from a genocidal radical terrorist regime as colonialism. Nothing could be further from the truth. I wrote the following article for the Tablet to show that in fact, Jews are not foreign colonisers, but rather the indigenous people of Israel.

Watch this fascinating interview between Eric George and Hon. Alfred Ngaro on what makes a person indigenous and why Jews should be considered indigenous.

Ngā Tapuwae translates to ‘the sacred footsteps’ and so today we remember those kiwi men who stepped into the theatre of war on foreign land and the sacrifice of life that was paid so that the world could be at peace.

The Jewish people have endured existential threats for more than three thousand years. The apartheid smear is merely one manifestation of ancient Jew hatred, applied to the Jewish state.

Kaumatua Patrick Tupoto Manawakaiaia Ruka was truly a gift to all who knew him. The Indigenous Coalition for Israel whanau will miss his guidance, wisdom, knowledge and aroha. But his legacy remains.

Kariana Black reports on the Business and Innovation Hui held on the prestigious Tamatekapua Marae in Rotorua. It was the first time Te Arawa iwi had formally welcomed an ambassador.

The Indigenous Coalition For Israel has added its voice to that of many concerned citizens in objecting to the decision of NZ Super Fund to divest from Israeli Banks.

Professor Dov Bing,  prepared this  address for the Jerusalem 3000 Celebrations, in the presence of  Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu and His Excellency, Mr Nissan Koren-Krupsky, Ambassador of Israel to New Zealand, Kimi Ora, Turangawaewae, New Zealand, Sunday, 4 August 1996.

One year on, Dr Tal Becker explains the significance of the Abraham Accords.

Shifra Horn discusses the Jewish connection to the land of Israel.

On 23 September, India and Israel commemorate the decisive Battle of Haifa. This Battle was in the final months of World War One in 1918. The Indian Brigade, in the last cavalry charge in history, liberated Haifa from the Ottoman Empire and the other Central Powers.

We are excited to be forming an association with the Australian based, Indigenous Friends of Israel, headed by Norman and Barbara Miller.

Indigenous Coalition For Israel urges New Zealand to follow the example of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco and pursue a closer bi-lateral relationship with Israel.

Less than a month out from the infamous Durban conference, former National Party MP, Hon Alfred Ngaro has spoken out on the government’s equivocation over whether NZ will attend the 20th anniversary of a conference that purported to address racism and tolerance, but quickly descended into an antisemitic hate-fest.

To say that Jews returning to their indigenous lands is colonisation, even “a tiny bit”, is to ignore history and the meaning of the term.

None of this context matters to Minto, who for some reason sees the Palestinian cause as his raison d’être. He should realise by now that the Israel/Palestinian conflict is nothing like the South African situation where he won his spurs as an activist.

My visit to Auschwitz was as profound as it was disturbing, a sense made more acute by awareness of the resurgence of antisemitism across much of Europe.

NgaPuhi kaumatua, Pat Ruka spearheaded the staging of a special event to welcome back the ambassador after he was recalled, following New Zealand’s infamous co-sponsoring of the anti-Israel UNSC Resolution 2334 in 2016.

History was made on 29 July 2018 when the indigenous people of New Zealand organised a special ceremony to honour and welcome the Israeli ambassador, His Excellency Dr. Itzhak Gerberg.

“We, the Māori people support Israel. And there are many behind me and all over this nation that support Israel.” With these words Tawhiri Littlejohn, Ngati Whatua, opened the ‘Celebrating Israel at 70’ rally at Silo Park Auckland. He then recited the well known karakia, E to Matou Matua (The Lord’s Prayer).

A steady flow of Zionist emissaries made their way to New Zealand, seeking support for the ‘upbuilding of Palestine.’ The New Zealand Jewish community quickly gained a reputation for generosity in support of the cause. Enthusiasm for the Zionist project was not confined to the Jewish community however…

The false narrative that the conflict is about colonialist possession of territory, rather than Islamic-inspired rejectionism has done much to prolong the conflict. Israel has given up land for peace and made offers of peace that have been repeatedly rejected.

As I shared this amazing experience, a comment was made by a non-Jewish friend, that if we would practise bar mitzvah in New Zealand perhaps our youth would not be so troubled, insecure, lonely, lost and suicidal. Maybe it would help them to take ownership and responsibility for the lives in the safety net of loving adults, encouraging them to become mature and responsible young adults.

The return of Jews to their ancient homeland has been an inspiring example for many indigenous peoples. Even though the Jewish people experienced expulsion and dispossession, they never abandoned their hope of return, and a small Jewish remnant kept ahi kā (continuous presence) in the land over many centuries of dispersal. The rebirth of Hebrew has been an inspiration for the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori in Aotearoa.

The Palmer report found that the thousands of rockets launched by militant groups from Gaza were indeed a real threat to Israel’s security. Stopping these violent acts was seen as an ‘obvious’ and ‘a necessary step’ for Israel to take to protect her citizens.