Posted on 08/02/2006 2:03:54 PM PDT by DieHard the Hunter
More attacks on Jews feared 03 August 2006 By JANINE BENNETTS
A graffiti attack on Christchurch's synagogue has increased fears among the Jewish community that fighting in the Middle East may encourage anti-semitic groups to act.
On Monday night, racist taunts and swastikas were found at a central-city synagogue.
New Zealand Jewish Council chairman Stephen Goodman said there had not been a surge in anti-semitism in New Zealand since fighting between Israel and Lebanon broke out on July 12 but such an environment tended to bring out fringe groups.
"There is a level of concern about personal safety, about community safety," Goodman said. "(The vandalism) brings home to the local community that we're not immune to attacks and, while this is relatively minor, I'm sure that there is a high level of vigilance".
Israel's consul in Wellington, David Zwartz, said he had been getting emails, letters and calls criticising Israel's actions since the fighting began.
"I think it's fair to say that in the media generally the sentiment is against the actions that Israel is taking," Zwartz said.
"It seems as if some of that is affecting people's responses and some of that sort of comes back on the Jewish community. It's pretty worrying to see things like the vandalism of the synagogue.
"Whatever people have done and however you feel about them, to go and harm their place of worship is a pretty low thing to do.
"There are many in the Jewish community who are just as upset as anybody about the devastation and suffering of the Lebanese people."
University of Canterbury lecturer Nabila Jaber, who was raised in Lebanon and returned from visiting the country just last week, sympathised with the Jewish community.
"I understand the agony of going through persecution like many Muslims have been persecuted," Jaber said.
Jaber, a Muslim, said most members of Christchurch's small Lebanese community were Christian and would not rebel against Jews. Vandalism at the synagogue was probably carried out by Muslim fundamentalists or another extremist group.
"They wait for the opportunity. They exploit the opportunity to do something because it can be easily disguised."
Jaber said many members of her family had left Lebanon.
"I think the most devastating thing is the sense of helplessness."
The New Zealand Red Cross yesterday launched an appeal for the Middle East. Donations can be made at online or by phoning 0900 31 100 and making an automatic $20 donation.
Militant Islam cannot be allowed to run riot: I do not want it in New Zealand. Whether I agree or no with what the IDF are doing in Lebanon, one thing is clear: they are fighting and dying and putting themselves on the line to protect the rest of the world from Militant Islam.
All right-minded people must support that effort. And now, I do.
Welcome to the club.
I wonder how long Christchurch will be allowed to keep its name. If it had been in America the ACLU would have been protesting it like crazy.
I break out (as in wear what I haven't worn in years) the yamulke in big cities now just because of this.
I also have a concealed carry permit.
Just the Texas way.
I encourage others (even non-Jews, one is merely showing your respect to God) to do the same.
Not to take away from the seriousness of this, but "Christchurch's synagogue" has a funny ring to it.
The islamderthals are working up to a worldwide jihad that's out in the open. Unfortunately liberals around the world are happily encouraging it as a means of punishing conservatives while never considering the consequences of their actions.
> Not to take away from the seriousness of this, but "Christchurch's synagogue" has a funny ring to it.
Our Jewish community in NZ is not very large, but is quite old by NZ standards. Quite a few in Christchurch. They are a quiet, peaceful lot, keep pretty much to themselves and mind their own business.
So when their synagogue gets attacked for no reason, that's just not right. And if militant muslims did it, they need to go home right now: we don't need and don't want that kind of behavior here.
> Welcome to the club.
Thanks! Mine is a considered position, it has taken me a very long time to get here. I try to be fair and balanced, and my support for Israel in this conflict hasn't been automatic or by default. It's a clear recognition and demarcation of right versus wrong, and good versus evil.
And now that I've chosen sides, they will get my complete support.
The secularists in New Zealand constitute the overwhelming number of people here (I would say about 75+%), but they do have a very quistenntially British trait that their American counterparts lack: when some mention of "religious overtones" are a historical legacy, they should not be removed because "it has become our tradition". This is why NZ is such a secular country (very blue even by blue state America's standards) and yet there is nary a complaint from the atheists that our national anthem is "God Defend New Zealand".
BTW, I live in the Canterbury region of which Christchurch is the leading city. Christchurch is, like the rest of the country, very liberal/left-leaning politically. I really can't point to a "red" corner except perhaps pockets of economic literates, ACT Party members, conservative National Party supporters, and some evangelicals here and there.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.