7th October Massacre & New Zealand's Political Response

PRESS RELEASE

7 OCTOBER 2024

BRIAN TAMAKI

Today, Brian Tamaki made a strong statement in support of Israel’s efforts in combating terrorism, particularly in the ongoing conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah. He emphasized that Israel is carrying out the crucial work of eradicating terrorism, a task essential to global stability.

"Israel is doing the work of the Western countries. They are ridding the world of terrorists! All power to them! The only good terrorist is a dead terrorist. You cannot negotiate with terrorists. Only military pressure will cause Hamas and Hezbollah to stop. Israel must be supported to finish the job," said Tamaki.

He further condemned calls for a ceasefire, labelling them as uninformed and insulting to those who stand against terrorism.

Tamaki was equally critical of the broader geopolitical dynamics in Palestine, stating: "Palestine has no chance of achieving a two-state solution or any resolution while they harbour and protect terrorists in their backyards. Palestinians voted Hamas into political power. Hamas still holds 101 Israeli hostages—10 of these are women. I hate to think how these women are being treated. Palestinians have helped to house these hostages on behalf of Hamas."

Tamaki did not hold back in criticizing New Zealand’s political leadership, calling out Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters for hypocrisy: "Luxon and Winston are hypocrites to post woke tweets today remembering the 7th October attacks, and in the next breath continue to call for a ceasefire. They have failed to lead New Zealand in our response and support of Israel. Winston has voted at the UN for Palestinian resolutions that prohibit Israel from winning the war against Hamas. Our closest friends had the common sense to abstain from voting for this resolution—Australia, Canada, UK. Others, like the USA, Fiji, and Tonga, were bold enough to flat out oppose it. NZ is again on the wrong side of history thanks to Winston."

He continued, "This reveals the depths of weak leadership New Zealand has. They are pandering to all the wrong countries. Luxon is quick to don an Indian turban to attend an Indian event, or to visit an Islamic mosque. Will he make the effort to attend a Vigil for Israel today?"

Tamaki also addressed the issue of pro-Palestinian protests, pointing to global trends where countries, including Muslim nations like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kazakhstan, have banned public displays of support for Hamas and Palestine. He expressed his concern about New Zealand’s tolerance for such protests: "Politicians across the world have made efforts to ban pro-Palestinian protests this week, as Albanese has attempted in Australia, but our politicians are silent. What is wrong with NZ's leaders?"

In addition, Tamaki voiced his concerns over New Zealand’s immigration policies, raising questions about the country's approach to Palestinian refugees: "I am deeply concerned by the calls for NZ to welcome in Palestinian refugees. Is this why the Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Act was passed urgently earlier this year by National? Was this the plan all along?"

Reflecting on the significance of October 7th, Tamaki reiterated his support for Israel: "The 7th of October 2024 felt like the end of the world to Israelis—it is a day they will never forget. The atrocities were barbaric and inhumane. These terrorists are pure animals. Our government should have taken a stand long ago and prohibited pro-Palestinian protests. That would have been the humane and moral response. Anti-Semitism underpins all pro-Palestinian protests. They should not be permitted in NZ."

He warned of the growing threat of anti-Semitism in New Zealand, drawing a parallel with the sharp rise of such incidents in Australia: "There has been a noticeable increase in anti-Semitism in New Zealand. Likewise, in Australia, they’ve seen a 324% increase in anti-Semitic incidents, fuelled by the pro-Palestinian protests permitted to go ahead."

Concluding his statement, Tamaki announced his intention to personally intervene in a pro-Palestinian vigil: "Today, at 3 p.m., I will be arriving on my motorbike outside TVNZ in Auckland to stop the Vigil for Palestine that they have planned for 4 p.m. by John Minto’s Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. I will ensure their disrespectful vigil does not go ahead."

Later in the evening, Tamaki plans to attend a peaceful vigil for Israel: "I will be joining many families for a peaceful Vigil for Israel at Britomart in Auckland. This vigil is timed for 6:29 p.m. NZT, which coincides with 6:29 a.m. Israeli time, the moment the massacre began on October 7th."