Jewish organisations sign harmony accord amid fringe backlash

In a landmark move toward communal cooperation and resilience, the New Zealand Jewish Council and the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand today joined Muslim community representatives in signing the New Zealand Harmony Accord — a government-supported initiative aimed at fostering dialogue, mutual respect, and unity in the face of rising hate.

The Accord, developed under the auspices of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, commits signatories to interfaith collaboration and joint action against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of extremism. It outlines shared principles of education, trust-building, and pluralism, with a proposed leadership council to respond to moments of crisis and tension.

Juliet Moses, President of the New Zealand Jewish Council, welcomed the Accord as a timely and necessary initiative.

“Antisemitism has significantly increased in New Zealand over the past two years, fuelled by global tensions and a concerning spread of disinformation and polarisation,” Moses said. “This Accord represents an opportunity to work together more intentionally in confronting rising hate.”

The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, whose mission is grounded in the lessons of the Shoah, also praised the move. Chair Deborah Hart described the Accord as “an expression of our duty to educate, to remember, and to act.”

“At a time of heightened tensions and a huge increase in antisemitism, we know that peaceful coexistence isn’t always easy, but it is always worth striving for,” she said.

Fringe Objections from Dissenting Groups

Despite widespread support across Jewish and Muslim communities, two groups — Alternative Jewish Voices (AJV) and the Islamic Council of New Zealand (ICONZ) — have publicly rejected the Accord.

AJV, a marginal group with no affiliation to New Zealand’s established Jewish communal institutions, has long adopted positions out of step with the mainstream Jewish community. While claiming to speak for pluralism and human rights, the group frequently aligns itself with anti-Israel activism and has faced criticism for downplaying antisemitism while promoting polarising narratives around Israel and Zionism.

In a joint statement with ICONZ, AJV rejected the Harmony Accord for failing to mention Gaza and criticised its lack of Palestinian representation — despite the Accord’s clearly stated interfaith and domestic focus.

Marilyn Garson, co-founder of AJV, claimed the initiative ignores “human entitlements and global agreements,” and described the council as lacking legitimacy because it does not begin with the political framing she and ICONZ demand.

Observers note that AJV’s positions reflect a narrow ideological agenda rather than the consensus of New Zealand’s Jewish population, which continues to support both Israel’s right to exist and robust interfaith engagement grounded in mutual respect.

Standing Against Hate, Not Silencing Identity

The New Zealand Jewish Council was clear: the Accord is not a statement of theological unity or political conformity. It is an effort to unite against hate, regardless of political differences.

“Islamophobia and antisemitism stem from many of the same root causes — fear, ignorance, and the tendency to dehumanise ‘the other’,” said Moses. “We hope this Accord can be a first step toward deeper understanding and stronger relationships.”

The Holocaust Centre reinforced that peace and coexistence are not incompatible with clear-eyed remembrance.

“We know where hate can lead,” said Hart. “Our mission is to confront it wherever it appears — be it in the past or the present.”

Despite the noise from fringe activists, the signing of the Accord marks a significant show of unity and leadership from those willing to rise above polarisation. At a time when antisemitism in New Zealand is being inflamed by international events, the commitment to dialogue is not weakness — it is strength.

A Step Forward, Not a Final Word

The Jewish signatories expressed hope that today’s Accord will not be the final word, but the first step in a sustained process.

“There is much work to be done,” Moses concluded, “but this could be a meaningful step in the right direction… not just for our communities, but for all New Zealanders.”

In choosing engagement over extremism, Jewish leaders in New Zealand have sent a powerful message: that the Jewish community will not be defined by its critics — but by its commitment to justice, coexistence, and truth.